Monaco's first sprint headlines F1's expanded 2027 calendar

Formula 1's 2027 calendar is out, with a record 10 sprint weekends — including Monaco's first-ever sprint race.

Why it matters:

The sprint format keeps expanding under F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. With three sprints in the final four rounds in Brazil, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, extra points could shape the title fight.

The details:

• The season has 24 Grands Prix, from Bahrain on March 12-14 to Abu Dhabi on December 10-12.
• Sprint weekends rise from six to ten, a record for F1.
• Monaco's sprint debut takes place June 4-6, giving fans two races around the principality's tight streets.
• New sprint venues: Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco and Abu Dhabi.
• Returning sprint venues: Canada, Silverstone, Monza, Brazil and Qatar.
• Monaco is a notable twist. Overtaking is notoriously difficult in Monte Carlo, and the circuit has often been cited as proof that sprint racing doesn't work everywhere. The decision suggests F1 values the spectacle over that concern.

Between the lines:

Brazil, Qatar and Abu Dhabi all host sprints in the final four rounds, so bonus points could decide a close championship. Monaco's inclusion shows F1 is willing to try sprints on tracks that don't naturally encourage overtaking.

What's next:

Bahrain opens with a sprint, and Monaco's June race will be one of the most watched experiments of the year. If it produces close racing, F1's bet pays off. If not, the debate over sprint venues will only get louder.