Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton has expressed skepticism about the decision to host a Formula One sprint race in Monaco. The principality's street layout is known for its tight and twisty design, which makes overtaking extremely challenging. Hamilton believes that a sprint race in Monaco would not provide the excitement that the format is intended to bring. He suggests that a different solution is needed to spice up the action in Monaco.
Formula One announced Monaco as one of a record 10 sprint venues when it published its 2027 calendar last week. The move has caused some surprise, given the harbourside layout's reputation for producing processional races won from pole. While a sprint weekend would give fans two qualifying sessions, it would also mean another race in addition to Sunday's showcase grand prix. This has raised concerns that the sprint race would be just as devoid of overtaking as the traditional grand prix.
Hamilton is not the only driver to have questioned the decision to host a sprint race in Monaco. McLaren's Lando Norris said that there are better venues at which to host a sprint, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen, a four-times world champion, expressed his doubts about the sprint format in general. Verstappen noted that the sprint format can be exciting at the start, but the inability to pass can make it dull.
Hamilton has always believed that Monaco needs a unique approach to make its races more exciting. He has suggested that the sprint format, which was introduced in 2021, is not the answer for Monaco. The Ferrari driver and three-time Monaco winner is looking for a different solution to spice up the action in the principality. Hamilton's comments reflect his experience of racing in Monaco, where he has often struggled to overtake.
The sprint format has been trialled at several races since its introduction in 2021. The 2026 season features six sprint events, with Singapore, another street venue, set to host the year's final sprint next month. A Saturday sprint victory is worth eight points to the winner, meaning a driver can come away from the weekend with a maximum of 33 points rather than the usual 25 if he wins both.
Formula One says that its data shows that total viewership of sprint weekends is 12% higher than non-sprint weekends. However, not all drivers are convinced that the sprint format is the right approach for every track. Hamilton's comments reflect his concerns about the impact of the sprint format on the sport. He believes that the focus should be on finding a solution that works for Monaco, rather than simply imposing a format that may not be suitable.
The debate about the sprint format and its application to different tracks is set to continue. While some drivers see the benefits of the sprint format, others believe that it can be improved or adapted to suit specific tracks. As the sport continues to evolve, it is likely that the format will be reviewed and refined. For now, Hamilton's comments have added to the discussion about the future of the sprint format in Formula One.
Key points
- Hamilton says a Formula One sprint race in Monaco "makes no sense" due to the track's tight and twisty layout.
- The 2026 season features six sprint events, with Singapore set to host the year's final sprint next month.
- Formula One says that its data shows total viewership of sprint weekends is 12% higher than non-sprint weekends.
