Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; PGLive provides the summary and editorial framing.
Expansion of the Sprint Format
Formula 1 is set to increase the number of Sprint weekends in the 2027 season, according to CEO Stefano Domenicali. While the current calendar features six Sprint events, reports indicate that the 2027 schedule will likely include nine or 10 of these alternative race weekends. The full 2027 calendar is expected to be released by the sport in the near future.
The Sprint format, which includes a standalone qualifying session on Friday followed by a 100km race on Saturday, has been a fixture of the sport for five years. Domenicali cited increased track attendance and higher television viewership as primary drivers for the expansion, noting that the format provides necessary competitive action for fans attending Friday sessions.
Calendar Shifts for 2027
The upcoming 2027 schedule will see several notable changes to the host venues:
- Returning Circuits: The Portuguese Grand Prix and Turkish Grand Prix are confirmed to rejoin the calendar.
- Departures and Rotations: The Dutch Grand Prix will be removed from the schedule after the current year. Additionally, the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona will enter a rotation system with the Belgian Grand Prix, with Barcelona scheduled to return to the calendar in 2028.
The sport continues its current campaign with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, scheduled for July 17-19.
