Domenicali Gives Update on F1 Sprint Future and Turkish GP Return

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has provided an update on the future of the Formula 1 calendar, covering new races and an increase in the number of Sprint events on the schedule.

Despite the 2026 Formula 1 season being just around the corner, focus for some is already beginning to shift to 2027. Speaking to media at pre-season testing in Bahrain, the sport’s CEO Stefano Domenicali provided an update on future calendar plans.

Domenicali discussed a potential doubling in the number of Sprint events on the calendar, the introduction of a new competitive element on Fridays at traditional race weekends and rookie-only practice sessions. He also commented on delays to the addition of brand new events to the calendar, while hinting that a fan-favourite circuit could be set to make an imminent return.

Number of Sprint Races to Increase?

There could be major changes to the Formula 1 weekend schedule in 2027, with the sport reportedly looking at doubling the number of Sprint events from six to twelve. It would mean that half of the events on the schedule would run the Sprint format, which sees an additional 100km race take place on Saturday.

The move makes business sense for Formula 1. Race promoters pay the sport more money in order to host Sprint events, and fans – both at home and trackside – get better value for money with more meaningful on-track action on all three days of the race weekend.

The downside is the increased pressure on team members, who face a larger workload on Sprint weekends, where cars must be prepared for two qualifying sessions and two races. The move is unlikely to be met with a warm reception from those working within the sport, many of whom feel they are already working at their maximum capacity over the course of a season.

This was a major sticking point when Formula 1 last attempted to increase the number of Sprints from three to six, ahead of the 2022 season. Teams pushed back on the plans and delayed the increase in the number of Sprints by a year.

Other F1 Weekend Format Tweaks on the Horizon

Aside from increasing the number of Sprint races, Domenicali also hinted that the weekend format may be changed at non-Sprint weekends to introduce a competitive element to the on-track action on Friday.

Under the current regulations, two hour-long Free Practice sessions take place on Friday on traditional race weekends. Although these sessions represent important on-track learning time for the teams, the Sprint format – where there is only a single hour of practice before qualifying for the Sprint race – suggests that the second hour of on-track running is not imperative.

Although Domenicali was not forthcoming with what competitive element could be added to the Friday timetable at traditional race weekends, he said that “a package of ideas” will be presented by the summer. He was also mindful that changes to the weekend format could result in a lack of practice time which may hinder the more inexperienced drivers in the field. On plans to address this issue, he said that “we will present shortly something real in this respect”, suggesting rookie-only practice sessions during race weekends may soon become a reality.

No New Races Before 2029 – but a Classic Could Return

Despite Thailand and a race on the African continent previously being earmarked to join the calendar in 2028, Domenicali now says that he cannot see any brand new races joining the schedule before 2029, owing to the number of events already with contracts in place.

Under the present agreement, F1 is unable to stage more than 24 Grand Prix weekends per season. Although there were reports that the calendar could expand further in the future to 25 rounds, Domenicali now says that “we don’t want to expand the number”. Events which have contracts that are up for renewal in or before 2029 include Las Vegas, Singapore, Mexico, Portugal and Japan.

More immediately, there is one slot still available on the 2027 Formula 1 calendar. Dutch Grand Prix host Zandvoort will depart the calendar after 2026 – but its position has already been filled by the returning Portuguese Grand Prix. The newly available free 2027 slot is thanks to the news that Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – former host of the Spanish Grand Prix, now host of the Barcelona Grand Prix – will appear on the calendar in alternate seasons, rotating with the Belgian Grand Prix.

The frontrunner to fill the void is fan-favourite Istanbul Park, host of the Turkish Grand Prix. Rumours of the event’s return have been pretty much persistent since it last hosted an event back in 2021. We noted back in January that circuit bosses have talked up their chances of a permanent return to the schedule, if financial input from the government can be found. A five-year deal is believed to be within reach.

On its potential return, Domenicali said: “Stay tuned on Turkey, let me put it this way”, noting “the new ones that are coming are permanent tracks and not street races.”

Among other points in Domenicali’s press briefing, he confirmed that F1 would return to a single pre-season test ahead of the 2027 season, and said “work is underway” on a potential return of a season launch event, similar to the F1 75 show which took place at London’s O2 last February.