F1 Set to Expand Sprint Schedule to Nine or Ten Races in 2027

Formula 1 is set to increase its Sprint schedule to nine or ten races for the 2027 season, up from the six held this year. F1 president Stefano Domenicali confirmed the move is coming and said the full calendar—including the return of the Portuguese and Turkish Grands Prix—will be revealed imminently.

Why it matters:

Since debuting five years ago at Silverstone, the Sprint format has steadily proven its worth by lifting Friday attendance and global television ratings. Expanding it further reflects F1's belief that the shortened race is now a core part of the product, not just an experiment, and gives race promoters an extra session to put fans in the stands.

The details:

• Growing the count: The 2027 Sprint total is expected to reach nine or ten, a notable jump from the six rounds featured in 2026.
• Domenicali's stance: Speaking at Silverstone, the F1 boss defended the format against early skepticism, stating the sport has a "duty" to be brave and think outside the box. He cited the 150,000-strong Friday crowd as clear evidence that extra on-track action drives fan interest.
• Weekend structure: Sprint rounds feature a dedicated qualifying session on Friday, the 100km Sprint on Saturday, and standard Grand Prix qualifying and the race on Sunday.
• Calendar shuffle: The 2027 schedule will welcome back the Portuguese and Turkish Grands Prix, while Zandvoort drops off after this season. Barcelona will rotate with Spa and is not scheduled to return until 2028.

What's next:

The official 2027 calendar announcement is expected within weeks as F1 finalizes commercial and logistical arrangements. Even as some purists question the competitive value of Sprint events, the attendance and broadcast data have clearly settled the argument with the sport's stakeholders.