The 2026 Formula 1 calendar places the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on a Saturday, a departure from the usual Sunday finale that most fans are accustomed to. This scheduling quirk is not random; it is tied to the nation’s observance of Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27, which would clash with a traditional race day. By moving the event forward by one day, organizers respect the holiday while still delivering a full weekend of on‑track action. The result is a compressed yet thrilling program that begins on Thursday with practice sessions, continues with qualifying on Friday, and culminates in the race on Saturday morning.
The Baku City Circuit, nestled between the Caspian Sea and the historic old town, returned to the F1 schedule for the third consecutive year after its debut in 2016. Initially branded as the European Grand Prix, the race adopted the Azerbaijan name from its second year onward and has quickly earned a reputation as one of the sport’s most demanding street circuits.
Its 1.4‑mile main straight is the longest on the calendar, allowing cars to exceed 200 mph and creating endless slip‑streaming opportunities. Drivers often line up three abreast as they roar down this straight, making overtaking a spectacular sight.
The circuit’s layout is a study in contrasts. After the blistering straight, Turn 1 presents a massive braking zone that has been the scene of several high‑profile incidents, most famously the 2018 collision between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. The track then weaves through a series of tight 90‑degree corners before entering the historic quarter of Baku.
Here, the narrowest segment of any F1 venue—just 7.6 metres between the barriers—forces drivers to thread a needle through the Turn 8‑9 "castle" chicane, skirting UNESCO‑protected medieval architecture. The combination of extreme speed and unforgiving walls makes Baku a true test of driver skill and car setup. The 2026 weekend’s timetable reflects the earlier start. Thursday, September 24, opens with the first practice session at 9:30 am local time, followed by a second practice at 1 pm.
Friday’s agenda includes a short sprint race for the Formula 2 support series, a third practice session for the F1 cars, and the crucial qualifying session at 1 pm. Because Azerbaijan is three hours ahead of the United Kingdom, the qualifying slot translates to 1 pm UK time, while the race itself is slated for midday on Saturday, September 26. This timing means that British viewers can catch the action during their early afternoon, a convenient slot for many fans. Championship implications add extra drama to the weekend.
Kimi Antonelli, the current title leader, entered Baku with an 81‑point advantage after back‑to‑back victories in Monza and Madrid. With eight rounds remaining, his rivals must seize every opportunity to close the gap, and the high‑risk nature of the Baku circuit could prove decisive. Oscar Piastri, last year’s runner‑up, learned the hard way that a single mistake on the wall‑lined track can end a weekend in an instant.
The blend of raw speed, narrow sections, and frequent safety‑car deployments means that the race outcome is often unpredictable, keeping the championship battle wide open. Weather forecasts for race week predict warm, dry conditions with daytime highs in the mid‑20s Celsius. Such stable temperatures are ideal for tyre performance, allowing teams to plan strategies around the soft, medium, and hard compounds without worrying about sudden rain‑induced changes.
However, the intense heat can also increase tyre degradation, especially on the long straight where the cars are fully opened and generate maximum thermal load. Fans have a variety of ways to follow the weekend. Sky Sports F1 will broadcast every session from the first practice on Thursday through to the Saturday race. Subscribers can also stream live coverage via the Sky Sports app, which offers an optional onboard camera feed for an immersive experience.
For those without a Sky subscription, the NOW streaming platform provides day‑pass or month‑pass options that grant access to all Sky Sports channels, including the dedicated F1 feed. In addition, a live blog will deliver minute‑by‑minute updates for viewers on the move, and highlight reels will be posted shortly after the checkered flag on the Sky Sports app.
The official schedule is as follows: - Wednesday 23 Sept, 11 am: Drivers’ press conference; 2 pm: Paddock Uncut interview series. - Thursday 24 Sept, 6:55 am: Formula 2 practice; 9:30 am: GP practice 1; 10:55 am: Formula 2 qualifying; 12 pm: Team bosses’ press conference; 12:30 pm: GP practice 2 (starts at 1 pm); 2:15 pm: The F1 Show. - Friday 25 Sept, 5:10 am: Formula 2 sprint; 9:15 am: GP practice 3 (starts at 9:30 am); 11:10 am: Formula 2 feature race 1; 12:30 pm: Qualifying build‑up; 1 pm: Azerbaijan GP qualifying; 3 pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook. - Saturday 26 Sept, 7:55 am: Formula 2 feature race 2; 10:30 am: Grand Prix build‑up; 12 pm: Azerbaijan Grand Prix; 2 pm: Chequered‑flag reaction; 3 pm: Ted’s Notebook.
All live sessions will also be streamed on Sky Sports Main Event for those who prefer traditional television. The combination of a Saturday race, a historic street circuit, and a tightly contested championship makes the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix a must‑watch event for any motorsport enthusiast.
Whether you are tuning in via satellite, streaming on a mobile device, or reading the live blog on the go, the excitement of Baku’s high‑speed, high‑risk environment is sure to deliver unforgettable moments and possibly reshape the title fight as the season heads toward its final phases.