Following the exclusive news revealed during last Monday’s ACI event that Monza will host a Sprint Race from 2027 onwards, the debate surrounding the Sprint format continues to gather momentum. According to information reported by Sky UK, Formula 1 is now expected to increase the number of Saturday Sprint races from the current six events to as many as nine or ten starting next season.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali appears convinced that this is the direction the championship should continue to pursue.
“This is the way forward. We will announce the calendar very, very soon.”
But is this really news that Formula 1 fans should welcome with enthusiasm?
More action, but also more challenges
The Sprint format fundamentally changes the structure of a Formula 1 weekend. On one hand, fans enjoy more competitive action on track, with meaningful sessions taking place almost immediately. On the other hand, teams have significantly less time to collect data and fine-tune their cars before competitive running begins.
Under the current regulations, teams have just a single free practice session before Sprint Qualifying. That leaves engineers with very little time to find the ideal setup, meaning every decision made on Friday carries even greater importance throughout the remainder of the weekend.
A small mistake in the car’s setup can compromise performance not only during the Sprint Race but also in Sunday’s Grand Prix. As a result, teams are often forced to make critical decisions with limited information, increasing the chances of unexpected outcomes.
Managing the event itself also becomes more demanding. Every aspect of resource management—from tyre allocation to the use of technical components—must be carefully planned to minimise the risk of damage while extracting the maximum possible performance across both races.
Will Formula 1 follow MotoGP’s model?
In 2023, MotoGP introduced its new Sprint format, making Saturday races a permanent feature of every round on the calendar. The decision initially generated considerable debate among riders, teams and fans, but after several adjustments the format gradually found its place within the championship.
A typical MotoGP weekend now includes two free practice sessions on Friday, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Saturday begins with a third practice session before qualifying determines the starting grid for both the Sprint Race and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
To accommodate the Sprint format, MotoGP removed only one practice session—FP4. As a result, while teams have taken on additional work, they still retain enough practice time to properly analyse performance and prepare their motorcycles before qualifying.
This naturally raises the question of whether Formula 1 should consider making similar adjustments if Sprint weekends become even more common. Many within the paddock have argued that adding back another practice session could help teams prepare more effectively without sacrificing the additional spectacle created by Sprint races.
What do you think?
The official 2027 Formula 1 calendar, including the list of Sprint weekends, will most likely be unveiled either during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, or at some point over the summer break.
If the increase to nine or ten Sprint events is officially confirmed, many believe Formula 1 should also rethink the structure of the race weekend. Without changes to the current schedule, the workload placed on teams could become significantly more demanding and potentially disrupt preparations throughout the season.
It remains unclear whether Formula 1 will eventually move towards a calendar in which every Grand Prix features a Sprint Race, as MotoGP does today. What is certain, however, is that the subject continues to divide opinion across the paddock and among fans.
Stefano Domenicali believes spectators enjoy this newer style of Formula 1 weekend, but now we’d like to hear your opinion.
Are you FOR or AGAINST increasing the number of Sprint weekends in Formula 1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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