Formula 1 has officially revealed its 2027 race calendar, confirming another huge 24 round season with one significant change set to reshape several race weekends the Sprint format will expand from six events to a record 10, with Monaco among the circuits hosting a Sprint for the first time.
The 2027 campaign will feature 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries and five continents, beginning with the Bahrain Grand Prix from March 12-14 and concluding in Abu Dhabi from December 10-12. Pre season testing will also take place at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 24-27.
The biggest talking point from the announcement is undoubtedly the expansion of Sprint weekends. Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco and Abu Dhabi will all stage their first Formula 1 Sprint events, while Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar return as Sprint hosts. That means almost half of the 24 race season will now feature the alternative weekend format.
Monaco’s inclusion is particularly intriguing. The famous Monte Carlo street circuit is one of Formula 1’s most iconic venues, but its narrow layout has traditionally made overtaking extremely difficult. That makes it an unusual choice for a Sprint, which is designed to provide an additional short race and more competitive track action across a weekend.
However, the format could create a very different Monaco experience. Drivers will have only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying, meaning there will be less time to find the perfect setup and build confidence around the unforgiving street circuit. Fans will also get two qualifying sessions during the weekend Sprint Qualifying and traditional Grand Prix Qualifying which could play directly to Monaco’s strengths, where one lap precision between the barriers often produces some of the season’s most dramatic action.
The 2027 season will also make history by both beginning and ending with Sprint weekends. Bahrain will host the opening Sprint before Sunday’s first Grand Prix of the year, while Abu Dhabi will stage the final Sprint ahead of the season ending race at Yas Marina. Qatar and Abu Dhabi will also form back to back Sprint weekends at the end of the campaign.
Formula 1 says the decision to increase Sprint weekends reflects growing interest in the format. According to F1, total television audiences for Sprint weekends have been 12 per cent higher than for traditional weekends, while Sprint Qualifying has also attracted significantly greater fan interest than the practice session it replaces.
There are plenty of other major changes to the 2027 schedule. Portugal returns to Formula 1 for the first time since 2021, with Portimão hosting a Grand Prix from June 18-20. The Algarve circuit became a popular addition during the pandemic affected 2020 and 2021 seasons, with its dramatic elevation changes and flowing layout creating a distinctive challenge for drivers.
Türkiye is also back. Istanbul Park will host the Turkish Grand Prix from October 1-3, returning to the championship for the first time since 2021 as part of a five year agreement running through 2031. The circuit is famous for its demanding multi apex Turn 8 and will sit between Azerbaijan and Singapore in an intense three race sequence.
Those returning races come with changes elsewhere. The Barcelona Catalunya Grand Prix moves out of the 2027 calendar as part of a rotation arrangement and is scheduled to return in 2028, while the Dutch Grand Prix disappears following the end of Zandvoort’s current deal. Madrid, meanwhile, remains on the schedule and will host its second Formula 1 Grand Prix in September following its debut in 2026.
The structure of the season has also been adjusted to improve the geographical flow of races. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia start the championship before Australia, Japan and China form an early season run through the Asia Pacific region. Miami and Canada follow before Monaco launches the European phase of the championship. Silverstone and Austria form one double-header, with Belgium and Hungary following before the summer break.
After the break, Formula 1 returns at Monza before heading to Madrid, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Singapore. Austin then begins a late season run through Mexico City and São Paulo, followed by Las Vegas and the final Qatar Abu Dhabi double header.
The 2027 calendar therefore represents more than simply another 24 race season. With 10 Sprint weekends, Monaco joining the short format experiment, classic circuits returning in Portugal and Türkiye and a reshuffled global schedule, Formula 1 is continuing to increase the amount of competitive action available throughout the year.
Monaco’s first Sprint may ultimately prove to be the most fascinating experiment of them all. Overtaking might remain difficult around Monte Carlo, but with limited practice, two qualifying sessions and championship points available on Saturday, one of Formula 1’s oldest races is set to experience one of its biggest format changes yet.
