Lewis Hamilton and George Russell disagree on the Monaco Grand Prix becoming a Sprint weekend in 2027.

Last week, Formula 1 announced its 2027 calendar and revealed there will be an increase in the number of Sprint events from six to 10, with Monaco holding the alternative format that sees an extra qualifying session on Friday before a 100km Sprint on Saturday.

Monaco is one of the most difficult tracks to overtake at, but F1 highlighted the prospect of two qualifying sessions as an additional chance for “the drivers to show their world-class skill and precision on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo”.

“It makes no sense to me but I’m not making the decisions obviously,” said Hamilton, who is hoping to fight for the win at this week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

“On the positive, we get another qualifying session, which is quite cool. But I’ve always said that Monaco needs something different. I don’t think it should be the same race formula that’s everywhere else. It needs to be something different.

“We’ve already included the Sprints, which I think have really brought something new to the sport. But I think we’ve got to come up with something new for somewhere like that because it’s a beautiful place, such a beautiful country, an incredible circuit to drive, but the race is as dull as it gets. I don’t know what that is, but a Sprint race is not the answer for it I would say.”

However, Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate Russell gave a contrary view when speaking earlier in the FIA press conference in Baku.

“I personally think it’s good because we’ve had Sprints for quite a while, normal race weekends feel quite long-winded and we all want to fight,” said Russell.

“As much fun as driving a Formula 1 car around the track is, the enjoyment comes from the competition and that adrenaline you get from a qualifying session.

“Of course the race isn’t going to be the most exciting one, but that will be compensated by having a more exciting Friday. Sprint Qualifying is way more exciting than FP2, so I think on the whole it makes sense.”

Verstappen: I don’t care where the Sprints are

Max Verstappen has been a strong critic of Sprint weekends in the past, stating in 2023 that he “won’t be around for too long” if F1 added more to the calendar.

Verstappen has been less vocal in recent years and says he’s made his feelings clear to F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.

He said: “Maybe Monaco wanted it [the Sprint], I don’t know. For me, I honestly don’t care where the Sprints are. I participate, and of course you try to do the best you can.

“I have no emotion attached to winning a Sprint race or not winning it. My focus is always from, when I was a kid, you look forward to the Grand Prix.”

Cadillac’s Sergio Perez revealed he discovered the Monaco news through the drivers’ WhatsApp group and said it was “a bit busy”.

“Monaco, I think you just make it a little bit more variable, to be honest. I think it was just a Saturday event in the last few years. Whatever happened on Saturday was basically done,” he added.

“I think right now it can mix things around a little bit more. I think it’s going to be an interesting weekend. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Reigning world champion Lando Norris believes fans should have a say on Sprint weekends and where they take place.

“If the fans have a better time then I’m happy,” the McLaren driver said

“I think they could have picked better races to do it. I think there’s some races that could have been picked that you could actually have an exciting Sprint race. But it’s not our decision to make.”

Sky Sports F1’s Azerbaijan GP live schedule

Thursday September 24
6.55am: F2 Practice
9am: Azerbaijan GP Practice One (session starts at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying*
12pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Practice Two (session starts at 1pm)
2.15pm: The F1 Show

Friday September 25
5.10am: F2 Sprint*
9.15am: Azerbaijan GP Practice Three (session starts at 9.30am)*
11.10am: F2 Feature Race 1*
12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up*
1PM: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING*
3pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Saturday September 26
7.55am: F2 Feature Race 2
10.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up*
12PM: THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX*
2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction*
3pm: Ted’s Notebook*

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 this week as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at midday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

Sky Sports and Cricket South Africa have extended their longstanding partnership, with Sky Sports and NOW to exclusively broadcast the England men’s three-Test and three-ODI tour of South Africa this winter.

England’s three-Test series against South Africa will take place across December and January, marking England’s first Test tour of South Africa in seven years.

The series follows England’s first-ever home Test series whitewash of Pakistan and will be Stephen Fleming’s first series in charge as England men’s Test head coach.

The Test series will be followed by three ODIs in January, as England prepare for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2027, which will take place across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November next year.

Sky Sports will broadcast live coverage of a packed schedule of international cricket from South Africa, with Australia men’s tour getting under way this Thursday with the first of three ODIs in Durban, followed by three Tests.

The schedule will then continue with tours involving Bangladesh, India Women and Australia Women through to April.

Sky Sports has broadcast cricket from South Africa for more than three decades, including live coverage of every England men’s Test series in the country during that period.

The agreement further strengthens Sky Sports’ position as the home of cricket, broadcasting all home England men’s and women’s international and domestic cricket, with the men’s Ashes on home soil next summer set to be a major highlight.

Men’s international matches

Australia Tour to South Africa 2026/2027

• September 24, first ODI, Durban
• September 27, second ODI, Johannesburg
• September 30, third ODI, Potchefstroom
• October 9, first Test, Durban
• October 18, second Test, Gqeberha
• October 27 third Test, Cape Town

Bangladesh Tour to South Africa 2026/2027

• November 15, first Test, Johannesburg
• November 23, second Test, Centurion
• December 1, first ODI, East London
• December 4, second ODI, Gqeberha
• December 7, third ODI, Cape Town
• December 10, first T20 International, Kimberley
• December 12, second T20 International, Benoni
• December 13, third T20 International, Centurion

England Tour to South Africa 2026/2027

• December 17, first Test, Johannesburg
• December 26, second Test, Centurion
• January 3, third Test, Cape Town
• January 10, first ODI, Paarl
• January 13, second ODI, Bloemfontein
• January 15, third ODI, Bloemfontein

Women’s international matches

India Women’s Tour to South Africa 2026/2027

• December 9, first ODI, Potchefstroom
• December 12, second ODI, Bloemfontein
• December 15, third ODI, Cape Town
• December 20, only Test, Gqeberha
• December 26, first T20 International, Benoni
• December 29, second T20 International, Potchefstroom
• December 30, third T20 International, Potchefstroom

Australia Women’s Tour to South Africa 2026/2027

• March 18, first T20 International, Kimberley
• March 21, second T20 International, Benoni
• March 23, third T20 International, KuGompo City
• March 27, first ODI, Gqeberha
• March 31, second ODI, Paarl
• April 3, third ODI, Durban
• April 8, only Test, Potchefstroom

Watch the first ODI between South Africa’s Men and Australia from 8.30am on Thursday on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports + Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.

Michael Pirotton is ready to shock Johnny Fisher when they fight at London’s Copper Box Arena this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

The “Romford Bull” is hugely popular with an impassioned fan base, while his Belgian opponent is comparatively unknown.

But Pirotton is convinced he can use that element of surprise.

“I’m nobody in boxing,” the Belgian told Sky Sports. “Nobody knows about me.

“That’s my only advantage,” he continued. “I know I’m supposed to lose.

“In the scenario I’m supposed to lose that fight. He’s going to come full of confidence with his people and I know he’s training hard. I have to be ready for whatever he brings. I’m going to be ready. I’m ready.”

Fisher is a strong, come-forward fighter. “He’s really aggressive and I can move. It’s a classic heavyweight match-up. A bull against a matador. Let’s see who wins,” Pirotton said. “The horns in my belly, or if he ends up on the barbecue.

“The pressure is on his shoulders,” the Belgian added. “He’s just the money cow. He didn’t grab anything he had. I know whatever happens I’ve grabbed everything I have.”

He maintains the struggles he’s faced in his career will help him outlast Fisher.

“They will find out. I don’t brag before,” Pirotton said. “But I’m confident. I don’t brag before, I dance after, that’s what I do.

“I’m glad for everything, that tough journey with some bad stuff happening to me. Because it enfused a deep sense of stoicism in me. What happens is going to happen and I’m still going to be Mike and I’m still going to be proud of what I do.

“I don’t have a destination. I just have a path and I’m walking. I’m bleeding now but I keep walking and you’re going to see.”

Pirotton, who’s never been dropped or stopped in his career, does have a warning for Fisher.

“I’m not over and it’s not over until I say it’s over and Johnny … he’s a tough guy, he’s strong guy, he’s a decent guy, but he can’t knock me out,” he said.

“I’m able to punch. But I’ve never been able to punch like I’m really able to punch. And now I feel free to unleash my power.”

Watch Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.