F1 2027 calendar expands sprint races to 10, adds Monaco and returns Portugal, Turkey

Formula 1 has officially announced its 2027 calendar, featuring 24 races across five continents with a significant expansion of sprint race weekends. The calendar increases sprint races from six to ten, introducing the format to Monaco for the first time alongside Australia, Japan, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi. The season opens in Bahrain on March 12–14, including pre-season testing on February 24–27.

Portugal's Portimão circuit and Turkey's Istanbul Park return to the calendar for the first time since the pandemic, replacing the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort and rotating out Barcelona (which will return in even years starting 2028, alternating with Spa). Portugal hosts a standalone event on June 18–20, while Turkey is positioned in a triple-header with Azerbaijan and Singapore in early October.

The Monaco sprint addition marks an unexpected strategic choice, given the street circuit's notorious difficulty for overtaking. F1 justifies the decision by highlighting that two qualifying sessions will occur—one for the sprint and one for the grand prix—potentially creating different grid orders and adding variability to the traditionally processional race. Data cited by F1 shows sprint weekends generate 12% higher viewership than non-sprint events, with qualifying drawing up to three times more viewers than free practice sessions. Eighty-two percent of attendees at sprint weekends report the format adds ticket value.

The calendar concludes with back-to-back sprint races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in early December. However, uncertainty persists regarding Middle East races due to ongoing regional conflict; F1 has developed contingency plans to shift the season opener to Australia if Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cannot proceed as scheduled. The decision to maintain the original Bahrain start reflects F1's approach of holding decisions until the last possible moment, mirroring tactics used for previous Middle East events.