Daily News 19

Tag: Turkish Grand Prix

  • Formula 1 2027 Calendar Set for 10 Sprint Races Including Monaco

    Formula 1 2027 Calendar Set for 10 Sprint Races Including Monaco

    Formula 1 has confirmed a significant expansion of its sprint format for the 2027 World Championship, increasing the number of sprint weekends from six to ten. The revised calendar also marks the return of the Portuguese and Turkish Grands Prix, adding further depth to a record-equalling 24-race schedule.

    Sprint Format Expands to Ten Events

    Sprint weekends—which feature a standalone qualifying session on Friday, a 100-kilometre sprint race on Saturday, and the main Grand Prix on Sunday—will debut at five new venues in 2027. Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi will host sprint events for the first time. They join Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil, and Qatar, which retain their sprint status from previous seasons.

    The format commands a higher hosting fee, but promoters value the commercial upside: competitive track action across all three days drives stronger ticket sales. Silverstone reported that its 2024 sprint weekend delivered the British Grand Prix’s highest-ever attendance, drawing 64,000 more fans across the four days compared with the previous year’s conventional format.

    Monaco Sprint Raises Strategic Questions

    The inclusion of Monaco has drawn particular attention. Overtaking on the historic street circuit is notoriously difficult, meaning the sprint finishing order is likely to be settled after the opening lap unless incidents intervene. However, Formula 1 is promoting the event on the strength of a double qualifying spectacle—traditional qualifying on Friday and sprint qualifying on Saturday—which could produce two distinct grid orders and inject variability into the weekend.

    Calendar Highlights: Portugal and Turkey Return

    The 2027 schedule welcomes back Portimão and Istanbul Park for the first time since they served as pandemic-era placeholder rounds. The season is slated to open in Bahrain on 12–14 March, followed by Saudi Arabia a week later. The British Grand Prix is fixed for 2–4 July, while pre-season testing will take place in Bahrain from 24–27 February.

    Middle East Uncertainty Prompts Contingency Planning

    Both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian opening rounds remain in doubt while conflict persists in the region. Bahrain is the traditional season opener, yet Australia has hosted the first race for the past two years due to the timing of Ramadan. The 2026 campaign concludes with back-to-back events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and Formula 1 is actively developing alternative schedules should the Middle East rounds become unviable by year-end. A summit of involved nations on Sunday issued a statement urging “maximum restraint” in the ongoing hostilities.

    Leadership Reaction

    F1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali said: “We are thrilled to welcome Portugal and Turkey to the championship and to expand sprint racing to 10 events, giving our fans even more intensity, drama, and the wheel-to-wheel action that make our sport so special.”

    Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, added: “The 2027 FIA F1 World Championship calendar is a strong reflection of the global appeal and continued growth of our sport.” He continued: “With 24 grands prix across five continents, the return of Portugal and Turkey, and the opportunity for an expanded sprint programme, the calendar combines tradition, innovation and fan engagement while maintaining the highest sporting standards.”

  • 2027 Formula 1 Calendar: Full Schedule, Dates, and Everything You Need to Know

    2027 Formula 1 Calendar Revealed: 24 Races, Record 10 Sprint Events, and Returning Circuits

    The 2027 Formula 1 World Championship calendar has been officially confirmed, featuring a record-equalling 24 Grands Prix across 10 months, an expanded Sprint format, and the return of Portugal and Türkiye to the schedule. The season opens with a Middle Eastern double-header in March and concludes in Abu Dhabi in December.

    Season Structure and Sustainability Focus

    The championship will visit five continents over 10 months. The calendar has been designed with sustainability in mind, grouping races geographically to create an efficient flow of freight and personnel throughout the year.

    “Okay, you’ve got my attention. What lies in store next year?”

    We’ve got 24 Grands Prix on the cards with Bahrain hosting the season-opener as part of a double header with Saudi Arabia in March. The teams and drivers will then embark on a global odyssey across five continents, visiting historic venues and major global destinations before arriving at the finale in Abu Dhabi in December.

    The calendar runs across 10 months and was created with sustainability in mind, with races grouped together to allow for an efficient geographical flow of events across the year.

    And for 2027, as the Sprint format has proved so popular, the championship will raise the number of race weekends that feature a Sprint from six to 10. More on that later.

    Opening Rounds: Middle East to Asia-Pacific

    “I can’t wait. What’s the plan after the initial Middle Eastern double header?”

    Australia, which hosted this year’s opener, moves to race three and is the start of a triple header with Japan (don’t worry, it’ll still be cherry blossom season when we hit Suzuka) and China.

    Then there’s a move to North America for the first of three visits to the United States with the Miami Grand Prix.

    There’s a two-weekend gap before the Canadian Grand Prix with freight going direct to Montreal.

    European Leg: Monaco, Portugal Return, and Classic Circuits

    “Nice! When do we get to Europe, then?”

    That’s the next stop! Monaco remains in its new June date and opens the European leg of the season, with Portugal returning to the calendar after signing a two-year deal.

    The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve (most commonly referred to as Portimão) is located in Portugal’s southernmost region and hosted F1 in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The 4.6km circuit is an absolute corker as it delivers a technical challenge across dramatic elevation changes amid surrounding historic charm and spectacular beaches.

    “Oooooh, sounds lovely. Then it must be time for Silverstone?”

    You guessed right. Silverstone swaps places with Austria to form a double before another double in Belgium and Hungary.

    The championship then breaks for the summer for some well-deserved time-off for racing personnel.

    We’re back in September at Monza, with the Italian race at the historic Temple of Speed forming a double header with Spain’s Madring, which will host its second-ever Formula 1 race weekend.

    Türkiye Returns for Five-Year Deal

    “What about the other returning race?”

    That’ll be Türkiye, which makes a return to Formula 1 in the middle of an entertaining triple header with Azerbaijan and Singapore.

    The Turkish Grand Prix was last staged in 2020 and 2021, with Lewis Hamilton securing his seventh Drivers’ Championship at the venue at Istanbul Park.

    The race signed a five-year deal through the 2031 season and is home to the very cool multi-apex Turn 8 that tests a driver’s precision and commitment through its long, sweeping left-hander.

    Americas Triple-Header and Las Vegas Finale

    “Great stuff. Then how does the end of the year look?”

    It’s reassuringly familiar with Austin heading a triple header with Mexico City and Brazil’s Sao Paulo before F1 makes its third and final stop in the United States with the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

    A Middle Eastern double header in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in December then closes us out.

    “Tasty. The 2027 season can’t come soon enough!”

    We’re with you!

    Sprint Format Expands to 10 Events

    As I teased earlier, you’ll get more qualifying and racing than ever before as the championship is increasing the number of Sprint events from six to 10.

    “We’re with you! As I teased earlier, you’ll get more qualifying and racing than ever before as the championship is increasing the number of Sprint events from six to 10.”

    Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco and Abu Dhabi will host the format for the first time. And Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar will get another shot to host a Sprint.

    You can read more about the Sprint format and plan for next year here.

    Pre-Season Testing Reduced for 2027

    “This is music to our ears. Just one last question – what’s the plan for testing?”

    “I’m glad you asked. With new regulations being introduced this year, teams had a five-day Shakedown in Barcelona followed by two three-day tests in Bahrain to prepare for the season.

    With continuity in the rules heading into 2027, pre-season testing is reduced to one test, lasting four days in Bahrain at the Bahrain International Circuit at the end of February.”