A Monaco Sprint?! 2027 F1 Calendar & 2026 Azerbaijan GP Preview

F1 is giving Monaco a sprint in 2027, so is that two processions for the price of one? Chris and Tom break down the 2027 F1 calendar, the new 290km race distance, and preview the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.

In this episode: Portimão and Turkey return, sprints grow to 10 rounds (including the season opener and finale), Chris's three reasons a Monaco sprint won't work, the F1 Commission's cut to race distance, the FIA–ACO row over Le Mans, Williams' Baku upgrade, F2's triple-race weekend, our predictions, and why this weekend's race is on a Saturday.

⚠️ Race is SATURDAY! Please Remember predictions close Friday 1pm UK (4pm Baku).

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:16 2027 F1 calendar revealed
2:04 Portimão & Turkey return
4:53 Triple headers
6:28 Sprints grow to 10 rounds
7:24 Sprint opener & finale – Middle East compensation?
9:41 A Monaco sprint?!
13:36 Fixing the sprint format
18:47 Why Monaco now? Our theory
20:25 Breaking: races cut to 290km
22:52 Le Mans, Indy 500 & the FIA–ACO row
26:39 Azerbaijan GP preview
28:54 Williams upgrade & Hadjar update
30:38 F2's triple-race weekend
32:07 Predictions
35:44 Inbox: could F1 race midweek?
38:57 Why is Baku on a Saturday?
42:34 Wrap-up

LINKS
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Back of the Grid is a weekly F1 podcast by fans, for fans – hosted by Tom King and Chris Evans.

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