Formula One has released its 2027 race calendar, featuring a total of 24 events and a notable expansion of sprint races from six to ten, with Monaco hosting a sprint event for the first time. The season is set to begin on March 14 with the Bahrain Grand Prix and conclude on December 12 in Abu Dhabi, although the season finale may shift to Imola if ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East prevent races in Qatar or Abu Dhabi.
The inclusion of Monaco as a sprint race venue marks a significant change, as the street circuit has long been recognized for its challenging nature and limited overtaking opportunities. The sprint format, introduced to add excitement to weekends, consists of a roughly 100-kilometer race that lasts about half an hour, traditionally determining part of the grand prix weekend's grid and adding an additional competitive element before the main race. Formula One officials have indicated that the move aims to enhance fan engagement by providing extra qualifying-style action, which statistics suggest attracts higher viewership than standard practice sessions.
Other venues joining the sprint race schedule in 2027 include Bahrain, Australia (Melbourne), Japan (Suzuka), and Abu Dhabi. Returning events hosting sprints will take place in Canada (Montreal), the United Kingdom (Silverstone), Italy (Monza), Brazil (São Paulo), and Qatar (Lusail). The British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone is scheduled for July 2-4, coinciding with Wimbledon but arranged to avoid conflicting with the tennis tournament’s most critical phases.
Portugal’s Autódromo do Algarve in Portimão and Turkey’s Istanbul Park are set to return to the F1 calendar for the first time since 2021, filling slots previously held by Barcelona—which will alternate hosting duties with Belgium’s Spa—and the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, which is no longer on the schedule. Portugal’s race is slated for June 20, while the Turkish Grand Prix will take place on October 3.
The 2027 calendar remains tentative regarding the Middle Eastern rounds, amid ongoing conflict. Earlier this year, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were canceled due to regional instability, with Bahrain’s race relocated to Malaysia in October. While Bahrain is listed as the season opener next year, the possibility remains that the race order could shift if the situation persists. For the current season, officials are reportedly considering Imola as a backup venue if cancellations occur in the Middle East.
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized that the expanded sprint format and the geographic diversity of the 2027 schedule reflect the sport’s growing global appeal. Data shared by F1 suggests that sprint weekends generate approximately 12 percent higher viewership compared to traditional race weekends without sprint events. Additionally, sprint qualifying sessions appear to draw up to three times the audience of standard practice sessions.
Despite mixed fan reactions to the sprint race introduction at Monaco—with some describing the idea as controversial given the circuit’s narrow layout—Formula One has secured the track’s future on the calendar through 2035, indicating its continuing importance to the sport. The expanded sprint format aims to revitalize Monaco weekends by delivering more on-track action while maintaining the historic race’s status as a cornerstone of the F1 season.