World champion Lando Norris believes Formula 1 drivers will face a greater challenge at next year’s Monaco Grand Prix than normal due to the addition of the Sprint format.
The 24-round 2027 calendar, published on Wednesday, includes 10 Sprint weekends – four more than this season – with Monaco’s street circuit to host the alternative format for the first time with an additional qualifying session and 100km short-form race.
The Principaliy’s narrow track is not known for overtaking, where the Sprint format has hithjerto tended to be used, but is considered arguably the greatest challenge in the sport for an F1 driver when it comes to qualifying.
Reacting to the news when 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 said: “Interesting!
“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.”
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Drivers normally have three one-hour practice sessions to build up a rhythm and momentum around the twisty wall-lined track, on which mistakes are usually heavily punished. Set-up and on-track preparation work will now all have to be squeezed into just 60 minutes.
On the new challenge that the Sprint schedule presents, Norris said: “That’s more [about] relying on data from this year.
Norris watches on during the Pro-Am at Wentworth
“Obviously tougher for us as drivers.
“You don’t have as much time to build up to things so you’re going to you’re probably going 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.
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“It’s more exciting for the fans and the people watching.”
Norris won the Monaco Grand Prix from pole position in 2025 during his title-winning year.
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