Formula 1 has announced its calendar for the 2027 year and immediately increased the number of sprint races from six to ten. Among the newcomers to the format are Monaco, Bahrain, Australia, Japan and Abu Dhabi, while Portugal and Turkey return to the calendar after a break.
The decision looks like a logical continuation of the experiment that began in the 2021 year. Sprints give viewers three days of packed action instead of two, and the data shows that viewership for such weekends is 12 % higher than for ordinary ones. Organisers and promoters get additional revenue from tickets, and broadcasters get more content for their coverage.
Particularly noteworthy is the appearance of a sprint in Monaco. The principality's narrow streets traditionally do not forgive mistakes, and a short race on Saturday could turn into a predictable procession after the first lap. Nevertheless, the championship's leadership sees in this a chance to give fans a second qualifying and more drama on the starting grid.
The return of Portugal to Portimão and Turkey to Istanbul is not merely nostalgia for the pandemic years. These circuits add variety to the European and Middle Eastern parts of the calendar, and 24 rounds in 22 countries confirm that the championship continues to expand despite geopolitical risks.
Behind the outward growth lies a clear calculation. Sprints increase the value of tickets and attract a new audience, but at the same time they demand greater concentration from teams and drivers throughout the entire weekend. The balance between spectacle and tradition remains delicate, and the 2027 year will be a serious test of it.
Ultimately, the expansion of sprints is not simply the addition of races, but an attempt to make Formula 1 an even denser and more commercially attractive product amid growing competition for viewers' attention.
