Coulthard: Monaco Sprint Will Boost Entertainment, Madring Could Use One Too

David Coulthard believes the addition of a sprint race to the Monaco Grand Prix weekend will improve entertainment at the principality's notoriously tight street circuit — and he suggests the new Madring track in Madrid could have used one too.

Why it matters:

Monaco has long been criticized for processional racing, with overtaking nearly impossible. As F1 expands its sprint format to 10 rounds in 2027, Coulthard's comments highlight a growing belief that sprint races can add value even on tracks where passing is at a premium. His remarks also reignite the debate over Madring, which faced heavy criticism for a lack of overtaking during its debut Spanish Grand Prix in September.

The details:

• Coulthard's view: On the Up To Speed podcast, the former McLaren driver said he'd have preferred the modern race-heavy schedule over endless private testing. "A grand prix, you feel the achievement that the history books will show what you achieved as a team," he said.
• Monaco sprint: F1 confirmed the 2027 calendar will include 10 sprint rounds — Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Canada, Monaco, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil, Qatar and Abu Dhabi — with Monaco hosting a sprint for the first time.
• Madring criticism: The Spanish GP at the new Madrid venue was won by championship leader Kimi Antonelli, but the race was widely panned for a lack of overtaking. Lando Norris took pole and built an early lead, but lost it during an ill-timed virtual safety car period.

What's next:

Coulthard's suggestion that Madring could benefit from a sprint is unlikely to be acted upon immediately, as the 2027 calendar is already set. However, with F1 open to tweaking the sprint format and the Madrid circuit under a 10-year contract, the idea could gain traction in future seasons. For now, Monaco's sprint debut will provide the first real test of whether the format can inject excitement into the sport's most historic — and typically most processional — weekend.