Formula 1 expands 2027 calendar to 24 races with 10 sprints and Monaco debut

Expanded sprint schedule and Monaco format

Formula One and the FIA released the 24-round calendar for the 2027 season on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The schedule expands sprint weekends to a total of 10 events, up from six in 2026. Monaco will host a sprint race for the first time along its street circuit. On the harbourside layout where overtaking is difficult and races are frequently won from pole position, the format replaces Friday's second practice session with sprint qualifying. Spectators will receive two competitive qualifying sessions alongside the Saturday sprint and Sunday grand prix. Replacing practice time gives drivers less preparation on the narrow track. A Saturday sprint victory awards eight championship points, allowing a driver to accumulate a maximum of 33 points across the weekend instead of 25. Formula One data shows total viewership on sprint weekends is 12% higher than non-sprint rounds, with qualifying sessions drawing three times more viewers than free practice.

20266

202710

2026

6

2027

10

Data from the article text

Venue changes across five continents

The 2027 world championship features 24 Grands Prix staged across 22 countries on five continents. Five circuits will host sprints for the first time: Bahrain, Melbourne in Australia, Suzuka in Japan, Monaco, and Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. Five circuits retain the sprint format: Montreal in Canada, Silverstone in Great Britain, Monza in Italy, Interlagos in Brazil, and Lusail in Qatar. On the European schedule, Portugal returns at Portimao from June 18 to 20, and Turkey returns at Istanbul from October 1 to 3, pending FIA circuit homologation. These additions replace the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium will feature in odd-numbered years under an alternating arrangement with Barcelona. Spain's round moves to Madrid from September 10 to 12, following the city's return to Formula One in September 2026.

Middle East logistics and geopolitical disruptions

Pre-season testing will take place over four days at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain from February 24 to 27, 2027. Bahrain hosts the opening Grand Prix from March 12 to 14, followed by Saudi Arabia at Jeddah from March 19 to 21. Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali stated in August that increasing sprints followed rising demand from track promoters since the format began in 2021. The release of the 2027 calendar was delayed past its typical late-spring timeline due to conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. That conflict disrupted the 2026 season, causing the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and moving the Bahrain race to Sepang in Malaysia for October 2026. Formula One is also reviewing an option to finish the 2026 season with a 22nd race at Imola if Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot proceed.

Full itinerary from March to December

The 2027 season incorporates five back-to-back race weekends and three triple-headers between March and December. Early-season travel moves from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to Melbourne, Suzuka, and Shanghai in April, followed by Miami from April 30 to May 2 and Montreal from May 21 to 23. The summer European schedule runs through Monaco, Portimao, Silverstone, Spielberg, Spa-Francorchamps, and Budapest. Autumn races proceed through Monza, Madrid, Baku, Istanbul, Singapore, Austin, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo. The championship concludes with a Saturday night race in Las Vegas from November 18 to 20, followed by consecutive sprint rounds in Qatar from December 3 to 5 and Abu Dhabi from December 10 to 12.