Monza – The Monza Sprint will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2027. The Italian Grand Prix weekend will take place from September 3 to 5 and will once again include an additional sprint race. At the same time, the number of sprint events will increase from six to ten, while the season will feature a total of 24 Grands Prix in 22 countries.
The calendar, confirmed on September 16, once again designates Italy as a Sprint race venue. This is by no means a first for Monza: a Sprint race was already held at the track in 2021. At that time, Finnish Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas won ahead of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. Monza, along with Silverstone and São Paulo, was one of the three circuits where Formula 1 tested the new format during its first season.
The sprint covers about 100 kilometers and complements Sunday’s Grand Prix, but does not replace it. According to the announced weekend schedule, a free practice session on Friday will be followed by sprint qualifying, and on Saturday by the sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying. This leaves teams with less regular practice time to fine-tune their cars. At the same time, they must prepare for two separate races within a single weekend.
Monza Sprint Earns a Permanent Spot on the Calendar
Signs of the return had already emerged over the summer. During the presentation of the Italian Grand Prix in July, an agreement was announced to hold sprint races at Monza for three years starting in 2027. The new season calendar now confirms the date for the first year of that period. After several years without sprint races, the circuit in Lombardy will once again feature an expanded Formula 1 schedule.
In addition to Monza, Montréal, Silverstone, São Paulo, and Lusail are among the returning sprint race venues. The format is scheduled to debut in 2027 in Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi. Italy remains on the calendar in early September, following the summer break. Immediately after Monza, Formula 1 heads to Madrid, where the next Grand Prix is scheduled for one week later.
