Doha: Lusail International Circuit in Qatar has retained its place on the calendar for the 78th edition of the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2027, which was announced today to give fans an early look at where and when their favorite races will take place.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and Formula 1 today unveiled the calendar for motorsport's premier racing championship following its approval by the World Motor Sport Council. The calendar features 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries, while the number of Sprint races will increase from six to 10. The season will begin in Bahrain and conclude with the final race in the United Arab Emirates.
The Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit will take place under the floodlights from Dec. 3 to 5 and will be the 23rd and penultimate round of the World Championship.
Lusail International Circuit has hosted Formula 1 since Qatar joined the World Championship calendar in 2021, establishing itself as one of the world's leading circuits and bringing together some of motorsport's most prestigious championships, including Formula 1, MotoGP and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Having successfully hosted sprint races in previous seasons, Lusail International Circuit will see the format return in 2027 as one of only 10 rounds to feature the shorter race, which is held on Saturday ahead of Sunday's main Grand Prix. The Sprint covers approximately 100 kilometers and has its own points system and podium ceremony.
The 5.38-kilometer Lusail International Circuit, featuring 16 corners and several overtaking opportunities, offers a distinctive experience for drivers and spectators alike. Its advanced world-class lighting system further enhances the circuit's status as one of motorsport's most distinctive destinations.
The 2027 Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit is expected to carry particular significance as it takes place during the closing stages of the season, offering crucial points in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships as the title battles approach their climax.
The 2027 Formula 1 World Championship is scheduled to begin on Mar. 14 with the Bahrain Grand Prix, which returns to its traditional position as the season opener. It will be followed one week later by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Mar. 21, after both races were canceled this season due to tensions in the Middle East. The Australian Grand Prix on Apr. 4 will serve as the third round.
Following the Japanese Grand Prix on Apr. 11 and the Chinese Grand Prix on Apr. 18, Formula 1 will head to North America for the Miami Grand Prix on May 2 and the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on May 23, with three weeks separating the two races.
The championship will then move to Europe, with the first European round taking place on the streets of Monaco on Jun. 6, where the introduction of a Sprint race for the first time will add further excitement to the weekend.
Portugal will return to the calendar for the first time since 2021, with a race at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao on Jun. 20. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will follow on Jul. 4, followed by Austria on Jul. 11, Belgium on Jul. 25 and Hungary on Aug. 1 before the summer break. Racing will resume with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sep. 5.
Like Portugal, Turkiye will also return to the calendar, with its race scheduled for Oct. 3, while the Netherlands will no longer feature on the calendar. The championship will then return to Asia for the Singapore Grand Prix on Oct. 10, followed by races in the United States on Oct. 24, Mexico on Oct. 31, Brazil on Nov. 7 and Las Vegas on Nov. 20.
The season will conclude with consecutive races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi on Dec. 5 and 12, respectively, with both weekends featuring Sprint races.
Sprint events will be held for the first time in Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Monaco and Abu Dhabi, while the format will return to Canada, Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar.
Pre-season winter testing will return to a single four-day session in Bahrain from Feb. 24 to 27.