Every winter, the same question lights up group chats and fan forums around the world: when does the F1 season start?
The wait between the final chequered flag and the next lights out can feel endless, but the 2027 dates are now official, and the countdown is on.
Quick answer: The 2027 Formula 1 season starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, March 14, 2027, at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. The race weekend runs from Friday, March 12, to Sunday, March 14, and it will be the first season in F1 history to open with a Sprint weekend.
In this guide, you’ll find every date that matters, from the season launch and pre-season testing to the opening races and the December finale. You’ll also learn why Bahrain is back at the front of the calendar, what’s new for 2027, and how to plan your race weekends so you never miss a moment.
2027 F1 Season Start: Key Dates at a Glance
If you only need the essentials, here they are:
| Milestone | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Season launch event (F1 Live) | Thursday, February 18 | Milan, Italy |
| Pre-season testing | Wednesday to Saturday, February 24–27 | Sakhir, Bahrain |
| Round 1: Bahrain Grand Prix (Sprint) | Friday to Sunday, March 12–14 | Sakhir, Bahrain |
| Round 2: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | March 19–21 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Season finale: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | December 10–12 | Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi |
In total, the 2027 championship features 24 Grands Prix spread across 10 months, with a record 10 Sprint events woven into the schedule.
Why Bahrain Is Back as the Season Opener
Bahrain is no stranger to opening night. The desert circuit hosted the first race of the year from 2021 to 2024, as well as in 2006 and 2010. The 2027 event will mark the seventh time Bahrain has kicked off a Formula 1 season.
So why did Melbourne open the last two seasons? The answer is the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. In 2025 and 2026, Ramadan overlapped with the traditional early-March window, so Australia’s Albert Park stepped in as the opener. With Ramadan moving earlier in the year in 2027, Bahrain returns to its usual slot.
There’s a practical benefit too. Teams will already be in Sakhir for testing and will return to the same venue less than two weeks later. F1 designed the 2027 calendar with sustainability in mind, grouping races by region to cut unnecessary travel and freight.
Pre-Season Testing: When the Cars First Hit the Track
For many fans, the season truly begins the moment the new cars roll out of the garage. In 2027, that happens on February 24.
The 2026 season brought sweeping new chassis and power unit rules, so teams got an expanded program: a five-day shakedown in Barcelona followed by two three-day tests in Bahrain. With far more stability in the rules for 2027, the plan is simpler.
Teams get one four-day test at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 24 to 27, a day longer than the standard three-day test used in most recent seasons.
Why should you tune in? Testing gives you:
- Your first proper look at the 2027 cars and liveries
- Early clues about reliability and long-run pace
- A rough sense of the competitive order, although teams rarely show their full hand
A word of caution: testing times are famously misleading. Fuel loads, tyre choices and run plans vary from team to team, so treat the timesheets as hints, not verdicts.
Before the cars run, mark February 18 on your calendar. Formula 1 will hold its second F1 Live season launch event in Milan, following the first edition in London in 2025.
A Season That Opens With a Sprint
Here’s what makes the 2027 opener genuinely historic. Bahrain will host its first-ever Sprint weekend, which means the season will begin with a short-format race before the first Grand Prix of the year. That has never happened before.
On a Sprint weekend, the rhythm changes:
- Friday: a single practice session, then Sprint Qualifying
- Saturday: the Sprint race, followed by qualifying for the Grand Prix
- Sunday: the Grand Prix
For fans, this means championship points are up for grabs on Saturday of the very first weekend. For teams, it means just one hour of practice to dial in a brand-new car, which often leads to surprises.
Fan appetite is clear, too: F1 reports that Sprint weekends draw an average audience about 12% higher than standard weekends.
The Opening Stretch: Rounds 1 to 5
The first six weeks of the season move quickly across three continents:
| Round | Grand Prix | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahrain Grand Prix (Sprint) | March 12–14 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | March 19–21 |
| 3 | Australian Grand Prix | April 2–4 |
| 4 | Japanese Grand Prix | April 9–11 |
| 5 | Chinese Grand Prix | April 16–18 |
After a Middle Eastern double header, the paddock heads to Melbourne for round three, which kicks off a triple header with Japan and China. Good news for Suzuka fans: the Japanese race still lands in cherry blossom season.
The Full 2027 Formula 1 Calendar
| Round | Grand Prix | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahrain Grand Prix (Sprint) | March 12–14 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | March 19–21 |
| 3 | Australian Grand Prix | April 2–4 |
| 4 | Japanese Grand Prix | April 9–11 |
| 5 | Chinese Grand Prix | April 16–18 |
| 6 | Miami Grand Prix | April 30–May 2 |
| 7 | Canadian Grand Prix | May 21–23 |
| 8 | Monaco Grand Prix (Sprint) | June 4–6 |
| 9 | Portuguese Grand Prix | June 18–20 |
| 10 | British Grand Prix (Sprint) | July 2–4 |
| 11 | Austrian Grand Prix | July 9–11 |
| 12 | Belgian Grand Prix | July 23–25 |
| 13 | Hungarian Grand Prix | July 30–August 1 |
| 14 | Italian Grand Prix | September 3–5 |
| 15 | Spanish Grand Prix | September 10–12 |
| 16 | Azerbaijan Grand Prix | September 24–26 |
| 17 | Turkish Grand Prix | October 1–3 |
| 18 | Singapore Grand Prix | October 8–10 |
| 19 | United States Grand Prix | October 22–24 |
| 20 | Mexico City Grand Prix | October 29–31 |
| 21 | São Paulo Grand Prix | November 5–7 |
| 22 | Las Vegas Grand Prix | November 18–20 |
| 23 | Qatar Grand Prix (Sprint) | December 3–5 |
| 24 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Sprint) | December 10–12 |
What’s New on the 2027 Calendar
The 2027 schedule blends familiar favourites with some exciting changes:
- A record 10 Sprints. Up from six, with Sprints at the Bahrain opener, the Abu Dhabi finale, Silverstone and, for the first time ever, Monaco.
- Monaco gets a Sprint. Overtaking around the streets of Monte Carlo is notoriously difficult, but the new format adds a second qualifying session, which is arguably the highlight of any Monaco weekend.
- Portugal returns. The Algarve International Circuit at Portimão is back for the first time since 2021 on a two-year deal, taking the June slot previously held by the Dutch Grand Prix.
- Turkey is back. Istanbul Park rejoins the calendar in October after signing a five-year contract that runs through 2031.
- Monaco opens the European season. The principality keeps its new June date and leads into the summer run of races.
- Smarter geography. Races are grouped by region, with a Middle Eastern double header at both the start and the end of the year.
Is the March 14 Start Date Set in Stone?
The 2027 calendar is official and has been approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. That said, it’s worth knowing the full picture.
Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have created uncertainty around races in the region, and F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali has said a final decision on whether the 2027 season can start in Bahrain needs to be made by the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, Australian Grand Prix organisers have said their April dates are effectively locked in, which makes a last-minute switch to a Melbourne opener difficult.
Our advice: plan around March 12–14, but hold off on non-refundable travel bookings until F1 confirms the opening rounds in the coming weeks.
How to Get Ready for the 2027 Season
A little preparation goes a long way. Here’s how to make sure you’re ready when the lights go out:
- Sync the calendar to your phone. The official F1 app lets you add every session to your calendar automatically, including local start times.
- Convert to your time zone. Bahrain runs on UTC+3, and races across Asia, Europe and the Americas shift viewing times dramatically. The Las Vegas race, for example, runs late on Saturday night local time, which means Sunday morning or afternoon for much of the world.
- Watch the testing coverage. February 24–27 is your best chance to spot which teams made gains over the winter.
- Catch up on 2026. The second year of a new rules cycle is often when teams that missed the mark start to close the gap, so this year’s storylines will shape what happens next.
- Book early if you’re attending. Popular events fill up fast, so secure tickets and accommodation as soon as dates are confirmed.
- Check your local broadcaster. Viewing rights vary by country, so confirm your streaming or TV options before March.
Conclusion: Your Countdown Starts Now
The answer to the big question is clear: the 2027 Formula 1 season starts on Sunday, March 14, with the Bahrain Grand Prix, and the weekend begins two days earlier, setting up the first season-opening Sprint in the sport’s history.
Before that, mark February 18 for the Milan launch and February 24 to 27 for pre-season testing. With 24 Grands Prix, a record 10 Sprints and the return of Portimão and Istanbul Park, 2027 is shaping up to be one of the richest seasons yet.
