Lewis Hamilton and George Russell disagree on the Monaco Grand Prix becoming a Sprint weekend in 2027.
Last week, Formula 1 announced its 2027 calendar and revealed there will be an increase in the number of Sprint events from six to 10, with Monaco holding the alternative format that sees an extra qualifying session on Friday before a 100km Sprint on Saturday.
Monaco is one of the most difficult tracks to overtake at, but F1 highlighted the prospect of two qualifying sessions as an additional chance for “the drivers to show their world-class skill and precision on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo”.
“It makes no sense to me but I’m not making the decisions obviously,” said Hamilton, who is hoping to fight for the win at this week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“On the positive, we get another qualifying session, which is quite cool. But I’ve always said that Monaco needs something different. I don’t think it should be the same race formula that’s everywhere else. It needs to be something different.
“We’ve already included the Sprints, which I think have really brought something new to the sport. But I think we’ve got to come up with something new for somewhere like that because it’s a beautiful place, such a beautiful country, an incredible circuit to drive, but the race is as dull as it gets. I don’t know what that is, but a Sprint race is not the answer for it I would say.”
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However, Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate Russell gave a contrary view when speaking earlier in the FIA press conference in Baku.
“I personally think it’s good because we’ve had Sprints for quite a while, normal race weekends feel quite long-winded and we all want to fight,” said Russell.
“As much fun as driving a Formula 1 car around the track is, the enjoyment comes from the competition and that adrenaline you get from a qualifying session.
“Of course the race isn’t going to be the most exciting one, but that will be compensated by having a more exciting Friday. Sprint Qualifying is way more exciting than FP2, so I think on the whole it makes sense.”
Verstappen: I don’t care where the Sprints are
Max Verstappen has been a strong critic of Sprint weekends in the past, stating in 2023 that he “won’t be around for too long” if F1 added more to the calendar.
Verstappen has been less vocal in recent years and says he’s made his feelings clear to F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
He said: “Maybe Monaco wanted it [the Sprint], I don’t know. For me, I honestly don’t care where the Sprints are. I participate, and of course you try to do the best you can.
“I have no emotion attached to winning a Sprint race or not winning it. My focus is always from, when I was a kid, you look forward to the Grand Prix.”
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Cadillac’s Sergio Perez revealed he discovered the Monaco news through the drivers’ WhatsApp group and said it was “a bit busy”.
“Monaco, I think you just make it a little bit more variable, to be honest. I think it was just a Saturday event in the last few years. Whatever happened on Saturday was basically done,” he added.
“I think right now it can mix things around a little bit more. I think it’s going to be an interesting weekend. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
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Reigning world champion Lando Norris believes fans should have a say on Sprint weekends and where they take place.
“If the fans have a better time then I’m happy,” the McLaren driver said
“I think they could have picked better races to do it. I think there’s some races that could have been picked that you could actually have an exciting Sprint race. But it’s not our decision to make.”
Sky Sports F1’s Azerbaijan GP live schedule
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Thursday September 24
6.55am: F2 Practice
9am: Azerbaijan GP Practice One (session starts at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying*
12pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Practice Two (session starts at 1pm)
2.15pm: The F1 Show
Friday September 25
5.10am: F2 Sprint*
9.15am: Azerbaijan GP Practice Three (session starts at 9.30am)*
11.10am: F2 Feature Race 1*
12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up*
1PM: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING*
3pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Saturday September 26
7.55am: F2 Feature Race 2
10.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up*
12PM: THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX*
2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction*
3pm: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 this week as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at midday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime