Monaco sprint confirmed as F1 publishes 2027 calendar

Formula 1 has finally published its 2027 calendar, confirming a Middle East season opener and a surprise sprint race in Monaco.

Why it matters:

The schedule was delayed for weeks as F1 and the FIA weighed the US-Iran conflict. While doubts remain over this year's Qatar and Abu Dhabi races, F1 has stuck with its plan to open 2027 in Bahrain (March 14) and Saudi Arabia (March 21).

The details:

• The Middle East double-header is followed by Australia (April 4), Japan (April 11) and China (April 18).
• Bahrain also hosts pre-season testing (February 24-27), so a safety call must come early in the new year.
• Plan B: If Bahrain and Saudi Arabia fall through, F1 will bring forward Australia, China and Japan. Australia is increasingly confident its new pits and paddock complex could be ready to host the opener.
• Portugal returns as a standalone at Portimao on June 20; Turkey slots into a triple-header with Azerbaijan and Singapore.
• Las Vegas stands alone on November 20, before the Qatar and Abu Dhabi finale.

Monaco's sprint gamble:

Sprints expand from six to ten, with Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco and Abu Dhabi hosting them for the first time. Monaco's tight streets offer few overtaking chances, but the sprint format adds weekend variability — just one Friday practice before sprint qualifying leaves drivers less dialled in than usual.

What's next:

Three of the final four races — Brazil, Qatar and Abu Dhabi — also feature sprints, setting up a potentially unpredictable championship run-in.