Tag: Mohammed Ben Sulayem

  • Formula 1 Unveils 2027 Calendar with 10 Sprint Events

    Formula 1 Unveils 2027 Calendar with 10 Sprint Events

    Formula 1 and the FIA have officially unveiled the 2027 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar following approval by the World Motor Sport Council. The schedule features a record-equalling 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries on five continents, alongside an expanded slate of 10 Sprint events.

    2027 Formula 1 Calendar Structure

    Pre-season testing is set for Bahrain from 24–27 February, with the season opener taking place at the same venue. The championship then heads to Saudi Arabia before moving to Australia, Japan, and China. The North American swing follows with the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix.

    The European leg begins with Monaco, followed by Formula 1’s return to Portugal in June. Later in the year, Türkiye rejoins the calendar in October, slotted between Azerbaijan and Singapore. The season concludes with a run through the Americas — Austin, Mexico City, São Paulo, and Las Vegas — before the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

    According to the organizers, the geographical flow of the 2027 calendar supports Formula 1’s long-term sustainability goals while reflecting the sport’s continued growth as a global entertainment platform.

    Sprint Format Expands to 10 Events

    Responding to strong fan demand and commercial success, the number of Sprint weekends will increase from six to 10 in 2027. Since its introduction in 2021, data indicates that total viewership on Sprint weekends is 12% higher than on traditional weekends. Sprint Qualifying attracts up to three times the audience of Free Practice sessions, while 82% of attendees at Sprint events say the format adds value to their ticket. Additionally, 75% of F1 fans believe Sprint events enhance the overall season calendar.

    New and Returning Sprint Venues

    Five circuits will host a Sprint event for the first time in 2027: Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi. The Monaco weekend will feature two qualifying sessions, showcasing driver skill on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo. Returning Sprint venues include Montreal, Silverstone, Monza, São Paulo, and Lusail, promising more action-packed weekends for global audiences.

    Leadership Reacts to 2027 Calendar

    “The 2027 calendar brings together some of the most iconic circuits and vibrant cities in the world, creating an incredible stage for another unforgettable season of Formula 1. We are thrilled to welcome Portugal and Türkiye to the championship and to expand Sprint racing to ten events, giving our fans even more intensity, drama, and the wheel-to-wheel action that make our sport so special.

    “Formula 1 continues to go from strength-to-strength, attracting new audiences around the globe. Week after week, the world’s greatest drivers will battle on some of the most challenging tracks in motorsport, supported by F1’s outstanding teams, world-class manufacturers, and global partners.

    “Together, they create a spectacle unlike anything else in sport. As we continue this remarkable journey of growth, I want to thank our fans around the world as their passion drives everything we do.

    “I want to thank The President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and the FIA, our teams and drivers, promoters, partners, sponsors, and host cities for their continued commitment and support and we recognise the extraordinary dedication of the volunteers, marshals, and officials whose hard work makes every Grand Prix possible.

    “We are incredibly excited to see this calendar come to life and to deliver another season packed with unforgettable moments, fierce competition, and world-class entertainment for our fans across the globe.”

    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1

    “The 2027 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is a strong reflection of the global appeal and continued growth of our sport.

    “With 24 Grands Prix across five continents, the return of Portugal and Türkiye, and the opportunity for an expanded Sprint programme, the calendar combines tradition, innovation, and fan engagement while maintaining the highest sporting standards.

    “I would like to thank Formula One Management, the promoters, the national sporting authorities, the FIA officials and volunteers and all our stakeholders for their collaboration and commitment.

    “Together, we continue to strengthen the FIA Formula One World Championship and deliver an exceptional season for competitors and fans around the world.”

    Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA

    The full 2027 F1 calendar can be viewed below.

  • F1 Reveals 2027 Calendar Featuring Monaco Among 10 Sprint Races

    F1 Reveals 2027 Calendar Featuring Monaco Among 10 Sprint Races

    F1 Unveils 24-Race 2027 Calendar With Expanded Sprint Format

    Formula 1 has released its provisional 2027 season calendar, featuring a record-equalling 24 Grands Prix and an increase in sprint weekends from six to ten. The championship will open in Bahrain on 14 March and conclude with a double-header in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

    Season Structure and Key Dates

    The 2027 campaign kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix, which reclaims its traditional season-opener slot as part of a Middle Eastern double-header alongside Saudi Arabia. The Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne moves to the third round on 4 April, following the Japanese Grand Prix on 28 March and the Chinese Grand Prix on 11 April.

    North American races follow in May, with the Miami Grand Prix on 9 May and the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on 23 May. The three-week gap between the two events avoids a clash with the Indy 500 weekend.

    European Leg Features Monaco Sprint Debut

    F1 arrives in Europe for the Monaco Grand Prix on 6 June, which will host a sprint race for the first time. Despite the circuit’s notorious lack of overtaking opportunities, Formula 1 management is understood to be leaning into Monaco’s qualifying spectacle by scheduling two separate qualifying sessions across Friday and Saturday.

    Portugal returns to the calendar for the first time since 2021 with the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimão’s Algarve International Circuit on 20 June. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone follows on 4 July, leading into a dense European stretch comprising Austria (18 July), Belgium (25 July), and Hungary (1 August) before the summer break.

    Expanded Sprint Calendar Driven by Commercial Demand

    Monaco is one of ten sprint events scheduled for 2027, up from six in recent seasons. Bahrain, Australia, Japan, and Abu Dhabi will host sprint weekends for the first time, while the format returns to Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil, and Qatar.

    “Due to the continued success and strong demand for the format, the number of Sprint events has increased from six to ten for 2027, delivering even more competitive action across the season for fans, promoters, broadcasters, and partners,” F1 said in a statement.

    “Since the Sprint was introduced in 2021, the data shows that total viewership of Sprint weekends is 12% higher than non-Sprint weekends, Sprint Qualifying is up to three times more popular with fans than Free Practice, 82% of attendees at Sprint weekends say it adds value to their ticket, and 75% of F1 fans believe Sprint events add greater value to a season’s calendar.”

    Autumn Triple-Headers and Season Finale

    After the summer break, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza resumes proceedings on 5 September, followed by the Madrid Grand Prix. Turkey returns to the calendar on 3 October as the middle leg of a triple-header sandwiched between Azerbaijan (26 September) and Singapore (17 October).

    A second triple-header spans the Americas with the United States Grand Prix in Austin (24 October), Mexico City (31 October), and Brazil (7 November). The Las Vegas Grand Prix becomes a standalone event on 20 November before the championship concludes with sprint-format double-headers in Qatar (28 November) and Abu Dhabi (5 December).

    Leadership Reaction

    “The 2027 calendar brings together some of the most iconic circuits and vibrant cities in the world, creating an incredible stage for another unforgettable season of Formula 1,” said F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali. “We are thrilled to welcome Portugal and Türkiye to the championship and to expand Sprint racing to ten events, giving our fans even more intensity, drama, and the wheel-to-wheel action that make our sport so special.”

    “The 2027 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is a strong reflection of the global appeal and continued growth of our sport,” FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added. “With twenty-four Grands Prix across five continents, the return of Portugal and Türkiye, and the opportunity for an expanded Sprint programme, the calendar combines tradition, innovation, and fan engagement while maintaining the highest sporting standards.”

    Pre-Season Testing and Contingency Planning

    Pre-season testing reverts to a single four-day session in Bahrain from 24–27 February. Regarding the 2026 season finale, Formula 1 maintains that Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed as scheduled. However, Motorsport.com understands that Imola is preparing to step in as a backup venue for the Abu Dhabi weekend should the Middle Eastern races be unable to proceed due to ongoing regional conflict. Formula 2 has already added an extra race to its Baku schedule, signalling the feeder series is bolstering its end-of-season programme.

    2027 F1 Calendar Overview

    Subject to FIA circuit homologation

    • 14 March – Bahrain Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 21 March – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
    • 28 March – Japanese Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 11 April – Chinese Grand Prix
    • 18 April – Australian Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 9 May – Miami Grand Prix
    • 23 May – Canadian Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 6 June – Monaco Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 20 June – Portuguese Grand Prix
    • 4 July – British Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 18 July – Austrian Grand Prix
    • 25 July – Belgian Grand Prix
    • 1 August – Hungarian Grand Prix
    • 5 September – Italian Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 19 September – Madrid Grand Prix
    • 26 September – Azerbaijan Grand Prix
    • 3 October – Turkish Grand Prix
    • 17 October – Singapore Grand Prix
    • 24 October – United States Grand Prix
    • 31 October – Mexico City Grand Prix
    • 7 November – Brazilian Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 20 November – Las Vegas Grand Prix
    • 28 November – Qatar Grand Prix (Sprint)
    • 5 December – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Sprint)