Lando Norris warns Monaco's first-ever F1 Sprint will force drivers to 'risk a little bit more earlier' as 2027 calendar revealed
World champion Lando Norris believes Formula 1 drivers will face a greater challenge at next year's Monaco Grand Prix than ever before after the Principality's street circuit was named as one of 10 Sprint venues on the 2027 race calendar.
The 24-round 2027 calendar, published on Wednesday, includes 10 Sprint weekends — four more than this season — with Monaco's twisty, wall-lined street track set to host the alternative format for the first time. The circuit is not known for overtaking, where the Sprint format has hitherto tended to be used, but it is considered arguably the greatest challenge in the sport for an F1 driver when it comes to qualifying.
One practice session: 'probably never happened before in Monaco'
Reacting to the news while speaking with Sky Sports F1's Natalie Pinkham alongside golfer Justin Rose during an appearance at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth on Wednesday, McLaren's Norris offered a measured take on the surprise announcement.
"Interesting," Norris began. "I guess the main thing is that means you've got FP1, [Sprint] qualifying on Friday — which is the challenge.
"Obviously not a lot happens in a race on Sunday or in the Sprint, but the challenge is just one practice session straight in, which has probably never happened before in Monaco."
Drivers normally have three one-hour practice sessions to build up a rhythm and momentum around the Monte Carlo streets, on which mistakes are usually heavily punished. Under the Sprint schedule, set-up and on-track preparation work will now all have to be squeezed into just 60 minutes.
'In Monaco when you go to that limit, game over'
The reigning world champion, who won the Monaco Grand Prix from pole position in 2025 during his title-winning year, explained how the compressed format will change the approach to the legendary track.
"That's more [about] relying on data from this year," Norris said. "Obviously tougher for us as drivers.
"You don't have as much time to build up to things so you're probably going to have to try and risk a little bit more earlier — which is normally when you can see a bit more of a difference between people who can get comfy, try things and be at 99 per cent and not go to 103 and 104 [per cent], because in Monaco when you go to that limit, game over."
Despite the danger, Norris believes the format shake-up will benefit the spectacle: "It's more exciting for the fans and the people watching."
What's next
The 2026 F1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races from September 24-26, with the Baku race — another Saturday event — taking place under the spotlight of a Sprint-adjacent schedule shake-up of its own. Every session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, including a Saturday race, will be shown live on Sky Sports F1.