The 2026 Formula 1 calendar places the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on a Saturday, a departure from the usual Sunday finish that characterises most race weekends. This scheduling quirk is tied to local observances and logistical considerations, and it shapes the entire program for the Baku City Circuit event. ### A Unique Weekend Structure Unlike a typical Grand Prix weekend, the Baku event begins a day earlier.
Practice sessions start on Thursday, qualifying is held on Friday, and the race itself takes place on Saturday, September 26. The shift is required because Sunday, September 27, is Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day, a national holiday that would clash with a Sunday race. By moving the Grand Prix to Saturday, the organizers respect the commemorative day while still delivering a full weekend of on‑track action. The altered timetable also means that the schedule runs slightly ahead of European timings.
Azerbaijan sits three hours ahead of the United Kingdom, so the sessions are earlier than they would be for a standard European weekend. Qualifying is slated for 1 pm local time, and the race starts at 12 noon, providing a convenient window for both local fans and international broadcasters.
### The Baku City Circuit – A High‑Speed Street Track The Baku City Circuit first appeared on the Formula 1 calendar in 2016, initially under the banner of the European Grand Prix before adopting the country's name from the following season. The circuit is renowned for its blend of ultra‑fast straights and tight, technical sections that test drivers' precision.
The highlight is the 1.4‑mile main straight, the longest in the sport, where cars can exceed 200 mph. Slipstreaming is a constant threat, and overtaking can happen three cars side‑by‑side. Turn 1, a heavy braking zone at the end of the straight, has produced dramatic incidents, most famously the 2018 clash between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.
After the straight, the layout transitions into two shorter straights linked by classic 90‑degree street‑circuit corners. The track then weaves through Baku's historic old town, culminating in the narrowest part of the season’s circuits. Turn 8‑9, known as the "castle" chicane, squeezes the cars to just 7.6 metres between the barriers, threading past UNESCO‑protected medieval architecture. This juxtaposition of speed and narrow, twisty sections makes Baku one of the most unpredictable venues on the calendar.
### Championship Context Going into Baku, Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' championship by a commanding 81 points after back‑to‑back victories in Monza and Madrid. With eight races remaining, his rivals must seize every opportunity to close the gap. The Saturday race format adds an extra strategic element, as teams have one less day to analyse data and make adjustments before the Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri, the reigning champion, learned the hard way last year how unforgiving the Baku circuit can be. A single mistake on the wall‑lined track can end a race instantly, underscoring the fine line between triumph and disaster that drivers face each weekend. ### Full Event Schedule **Wednesday, 23 September** - 11:00 am – Drivers' press conference - 2:00 pm – Paddock Uncut (behind‑the‑scenes coverage) **Thursday, 24 September** - 6:55 am – Formula 2 practice - 9:00 am – Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 (starts at 9:30 am)* - 10:55 am – Formula 2 qualifying* - 12:00 pm – Team bosses' press conference - 12:30 pm – Azerbaijan GP Practice 2 (starts at 1:00 pm) - 2:15 pm – The F1 Show **Friday, 25 September** - 5:10 am – Formula 2 sprint* - 9:15 am – Azerbaijan GP Practice 3 (starts at 9:30 am)* - 11:10 am – Formula 2 Feature Race 1* - 12:30 pm – Build‑up to qualifying - 1:00 pm – Azerbaijan GP Qualifying (live broadcast) - 3:00 pm – Ted's Qualifying Notebook (analysis segment) **Saturday, 26 September** - 7:55 am – Formula 2 Feature Race 2 - 10:30 am – Grand Prix build‑up - 12:00 pm – Azerbaijan Grand Prix (race start) - 2:00 pm – Chequered‑flag reaction segment - 3:00 pm – Ted's Notebook (post‑race recap) *All starred sessions are also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. ### Broadcast and Streaming Options Sky Sports F1 will carry the entire weekend for Sky subscribers, from Thursday's first practice through Saturday's race.
The Sky Sports app offers an onboard camera experience, letting fans watch from a driver’s perspective. For viewers without a Sky subscription, the NOW streaming platform provides flexible access via day‑pass or month‑pass options, with no long‑term contract required. The race can also be followed via a live blog for those on the move, and highlights will be uploaded to the Sky Sports app shortly after the checkered flag. ### Weather Outlook Baku’s climate in late September is typically warm and dry, with daytime temperatures expected to reach the mid‑20s Celsius.
These conditions are ideal for high‑performance racing, reducing the likelihood of rain‑related interruptions and allowing teams to focus on tyre strategy and aerodynamic setup. ### Why the Saturday Race Matters Holding the Grand Prix on a Saturday compresses the weekend, giving teams less time between qualifying and the race to fine‑tune their cars. It also places the event in a slightly different viewing window for global audiences, potentially boosting live viewership in regions where a midday Saturday race is more accessible than a Sunday afternoon slot. For fans, the Saturday race adds a sense of urgency and novelty, reinforcing Baku’s reputation as a weekend that often delivers the most dramatic moments of the season.
In summary, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix’s Saturday schedule is a product of local holiday observance, time‑zone considerations, and the desire to maximise both fan experience and broadcast reach. The Baku City Circuit’s blend of blistering speed and tight, historic streets ensures that, regardless of the day, the race will continue to be one of Formula 1’s most thrilling and unpredictable spectacles.