Lewis Hamilton and his teammate George Russell have voiced opposite opinions about the decision to turn the 2027 Monaco Grand Prix into a Sprint-format weekend. The controversy stems from Formula 1’s recent calendar announcement, which confirmed that the number of Sprint events will rise from six to ten next season, with the tiny, winding streets of Monte Carlo slated to host an extra qualifying session on Friday followed by a 100‑kilometre Sprint race on Saturday. Monaco has long been notorious for being one of the most challenging circuits when it comes to overtaking.
The narrow, twisty layout leaves drivers with very few opportunities to pass, which is why the governing body highlighted the addition of a second qualifying session as a chance for "the drivers to showcase their world‑class skill and precision on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo." The idea is to give fans more on‑track action and to reward drivers who can extract the maximum from a car in a short, high‑pressure environment. Hamilton, who is currently focused on a possible victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, expressed his skepticism. "It makes no sense to me, but I'm not the one making the decisions, obviously," the seven‑time champion said. He acknowledged that an extra qualifying session could be entertaining, but he argued that Monaco deserves a format that is distinct from the rest of the calendar.
"We've already added the Sprints, which have really brought something new to the sport, but I think we need to come up with something different for a place like Monaco because it's a beautiful location, an incredible circuit to drive, but the race itself can be as dull as it gets. I don't know what that is, but a Sprint race is not the answer for it," he added. In contrast, Russell took a more supportive stance during the FIA press conference in Baku. "I personally think it's good because we've had Sprints for quite a while, normal race weekends feel quite long‑winded and we all want to fight," the Mercedes driver explained.
He emphasized that the excitement of Formula 1 lies not only in the main race but also in the intensity of qualifying and the sprint format. "As much fun as driving a Formula 1 car around the track is, the enjoyment comes from the competition and that adrenaline you get from a qualifying session. Of course the race isn’t going to be the most exciting one, but that will be compensated by having a more exciting Friday. Sprint Qualifying is way more exciting than FP2, so I think on the whole it makes sense," Russell concluded.
Max Verstappen, who has previously been a vocal critic of Sprint weekends, has softened his tone in recent years. In 2023 he warned that adding too many Sprints could shorten his career, but he now says he has communicated his feelings to F1 chief Stefano Domenicali. "Maybe Monaco wanted it, I don’t know.
For me, I honestly don’t care where the Sprints are. I participate, and of course you try to do the best you can. I have no emotion attached to winning a Sprint race or not winning it. My focus is always, from when I was a kid, you look forward to the Grand Prix," Verstappen told reporters.
Sergio Pérez of Red Bull, who learned about the Monaco Sprint news through the drivers’ WhatsApp group, described the change as "a bit busy" but welcomed the added variety. "Monaco, I think you just make it a little bit more variable, to be honest. It was just a Saturday event in the last few years. Whatever happened on Saturday was basically done," he said.
"I think now it can mix things around a little bit more. I think it’s going to be an interesting weekend. I’m definitely looking forward to it." McLaren’s Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, suggested that fans should have a say in where Sprint events are placed.
"If the fans have a better time then I’m happy," Norris explained. "I think they could have picked better races to do it. There are some races that could have been chosen where you could actually have an exciting Sprint race.
But it’s not our decision to make." The debate reflects a broader tension within the sport: how to balance tradition with innovation. Monaco has been a staple of the F1 calendar since the inaugural World Championship season in 1950, and its prestige is tied to the glamour of the Monte Carlo setting and the unique challenges it presents.
Yet the race has often been criticized for producing processional grids and limited overtaking, leading some to argue that a fresh format could rejuvenate spectator interest. Supporters of the Sprint model argue that the shorter, high‑stakes race adds strategic depth. Teams must decide whether to push hard for a quick sprint win or preserve the car for the main Grand Prix. The extra qualifying session also gives drivers another chance to demonstrate raw speed, which can be especially valuable on a circuit where qualifying position heavily influences the final result.
Detractors, like Hamilton, worry that the Sprint could dilute the historic character of the Monaco Grand Prix. They fear that adding a second race on a Saturday could turn the weekend into a double‑header that feels less special, and that the sprint format may not address the core issue of limited on‑track action during the main race. Regardless of the outcome, the 2027 Monaco Sprint weekend will serve as a test case for how the sport can evolve while respecting its heritage. Fans, teams, and drivers will be watching closely to see whether the extra qualifying session and sprint race enhance the spectacle or simply add another layer of complexity to an already demanding schedule.
The conversation continues to unfold as the season progresses, and the ultimate verdict will likely be decided by the on‑track product that emerges in Monte Carlo next year.