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).

CHAPTERS0:00 Intro1:16 2027 F1 calendar revealed2:04 Portimão & Turkey return4:53 Triple headers6:28 Sprints grow to 10 rounds7:24 Sprint opener & finale – Middle East compensation?9:41 A Monaco sprint?!13:36 Fixing the sprint format18:47 Why Monaco now? Our theory20:25 Breaking: races cut to 290km22:52 Le Mans, Indy 500 & the FIA–ACO row26:39 Azerbaijan GP preview28:54 Williams upgrade & Hadjar update30:38 F2's triple-race weekend32:07 Predictions35:44 Inbox: could F1 race midweek?38:57 Why is Baku on a Saturday?42:34 Wrap-up

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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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