F1 races to be 15km shorter from 2027 after FIA approves reduction

Formula 1 grands prix will be two to three laps shorter from 2027 after the FIA approved a reduction in total race distance from 305km to 290km.

Why it matters:

The change aligns race distance with incoming power unit guidelines around fuel flow, ensuring the next-gen regulations work in harmony. It arrives alongside an expanded sprint programme and a reshaped 24-race calendar that brings two venues back.

The details:

• The Formula 1 Commission met in London on Monday, chaired by CEO Stefano Domenicali and single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, approving the regulatory tweaks.
• Races interrupted by rain or other factors will now face a 'hard stop' time, while the previous obligation to complete racing within three hours from the start is removed.
• Portugal returns on June 20 and Türkiye on Oct. 3, while Barcelona-Catalunya and Zandvoort drop off the schedule. Barcelona is due back in 2028 as part of a rotation with Spa-Francorchamps.

Sprint expansion:

• The sprint programme grows from six to 10 events, with Monaco — a circuit notorious for its lack of overtaking — among the notable additions.
• Bahrain opens the season on March 14 with a sprint, while Abu Dhabi closes the campaign on December 12.
• Australia, Japan, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar round out the remaining sprint venues.

What's next:

The 2027 season promises a reshaped weekend format and a fresh challenge as teams adapt to the new power unit regulations. With shorter races and more sprint events, F1 is leaning into entertainment — though the added demands of a Monaco sprint weekend may test drivers on the tight street circuit.