F1 to have 10 sprint races in 2027, Monaco and Bahrain added to the list

Formula 1 will present a record 10 sprint weekends during the 2027 season after confirming a major expansion of the format across a 24-race calendar.

The increase from six sprint events is the result of strong commercial interest and larger global television audiences. 

F1 says sprint weekends attract audiences that are 12 percent higher than events without the shorter race.

Five circuits will be making their sprint debut in 2027, with Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco and Abu Dhabi joining the schedule. Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar will stage the format again.

The famous Monaco street circuit will host Sprint Qualifying on Friday and the sprint race on Saturday, before traditional qualifying for the main Grand Prix later that day. The race itself will take place on Sunday.

Sprint weekends will continue to use a shorter schedule, beginning with one free practice session on Friday. 

Sprint Qualifying will then set the grid for the 100-kilometer race, using SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3 sessions lasting 12, 10 and eight minutes respectively.

The sprint normally lasts around 30 minutes and does not require a mandatory pit stop. 

Although its result has no effect on the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix, which is decided by the usual Q1, Q2 and Q3 qualifying session, points will still be awarded to the top eight finishers and count towards both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

The 2027 season will begin in Bahrain from March 12–14, returning Sakhir to the opening slot for the first time since 2024. The campaign will finish in Abu Dhabi from December 10–12.

Portugal and Turkey will also return to the calendar, with Portimao and Istanbul Park included among the 24 rounds. The races will take place across 22 countries.

The sprint schedule is:

Bahrain — March 12–14

Australia — April 2–4

Japan — April 9–11

Canada — May 21–23

Monaco — June 4–6

Great Britain — July 2–4

Italy — September 3–5

Brazil — November 5–7

Qatar — December 3–5

Abu Dhabi — December 10–12

Organizers believe the increase will help maintain interest throughout the weekend and give championship contenders more opportunities to gain or lose points without changing the main Grand Prix structure.