Expansion of the Sprint Format

Formula 1 is preparing to expand its alternative race weekend format for the 2027 season. According to F1 president Stefano Domenicali, the sport plans to introduce more Sprint weekends, moving beyond the current schedule of six events per year. While an official number has not yet been confirmed, sources indicate that the calendar is likely to feature nine or ten Sprints in 2027.

The Sprint format, which celebrates its five-year anniversary at the British Grand Prix, involves a separate qualifying session on Friday, a 100km Sprint race on Saturday, followed by the main Grand Prix qualifying and the primary race. This structure has been credited with increasing both track attendance and global television viewership.

Domenicali on Innovation and Fan Engagement

In an interview with Sky Sports at Silverstone, Domenicali defended the decision to push the format further, emphasizing the need for the sport to remain innovative.

"If you remember in the beginning, people were always sceptical of what we're doing, and I think that we have the duty to be, in a way, brave and to think out of the box," Domenicali stated. "I think you see the effect. With the [150,000] people we had on Friday at Silverstone, if you don't give something that has an action it would be wrong."

Domenicali added that the official announcement regarding the increased number of Sprints will coincide with the reveal of the full race calendar, which is expected "very soon."

Calendar Shifts for 2027

Beyond the increase in Sprints, F1 has confirmed several key changes to the 2027 race calendar. The Portuguese Grand Prix and Turkish Grand Prix are both set to return to the schedule. However, the Dutch Grand Prix will be removed after the current year, and Barcelona will enter a rotation with Belgium, meaning the Spanish race will not return until 2028.

The summer schedule continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, scheduled for July 17-19.