The 2026 Formula 1 calendar places the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on a Saturday, a departure from the usual Sunday finish that most fans are accustomed to. This scheduling quirk stems from Azerbaijan's national observances and logistical considerations, and it shapes the entire weekend’s timetable—from practice sessions to the main race itself.
Below is a comprehensive look at why the Baku event takes place a day earlier, what the weekend schedule looks like, and what fans can expect on and off the track. ### The Reason Behind the Saturday Race Azerbaijan observes Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27. To avoid clashing with this solemn national holiday, the FIA and local organizers moved the Grand Prix forward by one day, placing the race on Saturday, September 26. This decision respects local customs while still delivering a full‑weekend program for the sport’s global audience.
The shift also means that the traditional Friday‑Saturday‑Sunday format is compressed into Thursday‑Friday‑Saturday, with practice on Thursday, qualifying on Friday, and the race on Saturday. ### How the Weekend Unfolds Because the event starts a day earlier than most European rounds, the timing of each session is slightly adjusted. Azerbaijan operates three hours ahead of the United Kingdom, so the schedule feels a bit earlier for UK viewers. Here is the detailed itinerary: - **Wednesday, September 23** - 11:00 am – Drivers’ press conference - 2:00 pm – Paddock Uncut (behind‑the‑scenes video) - **Thursday, September 24** - 6:55 am – Formula 2 practice - 9:00 am – Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 (official start 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 (analysis and interviews) - **Friday, September 25** - 5:10 am – Formula 2 sprint race - 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 (analysis, fan zones) - 1:00 pm – Azerbaijan GP Qualifying (the decisive session for the grid) - 3:00 pm – Ted’s Qualifying Notebook (post‑qualifying commentary) - **Saturday, September 26** - 7:55 am – Formula 2 Feature Race 2 - 10:30 am – Grand Prix build‑up (fan activities, driver interviews) - 12:00 pm – Azerbaijan Grand Prix (the main event) - 2:00 pm – Chequered‑flag reaction panel - 3:00 pm – Ted’s Notebook (post‑race analysis) All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 for subscribers, with additional streaming options via the Sky Sports app and the NOW platform for non‑subscribers.
The race itself starts at midday local time, which translates to 9:00 am in the UK and 4:00 am on the US East Coast, making it a convenient early‑morning watch for American fans. ### The Baku City Circuit – A Unique Challenge The Baku City Circuit, first introduced to the F1 calendar in 2016, is renowned for its blend of ultra‑fast straights and tight, technical sections. The 1.4‑mile main straight is the longest on the calendar, allowing cars to exceed 200 mph and creating dramatic slipstream battles. Drivers often line up three abreast, especially in the final laps when positions are fiercely contested.
Key features of the track include: - **Turn 1:** A heavy braking zone after the long straight, historically the site of major incidents, such as the 2018 collision between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. - **Turn 8‑9 (the “castle” chicane):** At just 7.6 metres between the barriers, this is the narrowest part of any F1 circuit. It weaves through Baku’s UNESCO‑protected medieval quarter, demanding precision and bravery.
- **The old city section:** After two short straights linked by 90‑degree turns, the layout enters the historic heart of Baku, where the walls are unforgiving and the margin for error is razor‑thin. Because the circuit is a street layout, the walls act as concrete brakes, leaving no room for driver error. Oscar Piastri’s crash in the 2025 edition underscored how a single misjudgment can end a race instantly.
Consequently, teams must balance outright speed on the straight with down‑force and grip for the twisty sections. ### Championship Context Going into Baku, Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers’ championship by a sizable 81 points after consecutive victories in Monza and Madrid. With eight rounds remaining after Azerbaijan, his rivals must seize every opportunity to close the gap.
The high‑speed nature of Baku often produces unpredictable results, making it a pivotal venue for any driver hoping to mount a late‑season charge. ### Weather and Conditions Forecasts predict warm, dry weather throughout the weekend, with daytime temperatures hovering in the mid‑20s Celsius (mid‑70s Fahrenheit). These conditions are ideal for generating maximum engine performance on the long straight, but they also increase tire wear on the abrasive street surface.
Teams will need to manage tyre strategies carefully, especially if a safety car is deployed—something that has happened frequently at Baku in the past. ### How to Watch - **Sky Sports F1 (pay‑TV):** Live coverage from Thursday practice through Saturday’s race, plus pre‑race analysis and post‑race reaction shows. - **Sky Sports app:** Stream on mobile devices, tablets, or smart TVs, with an optional “on‑board” camera view for a driver’s‑eye experience. - **NOW streaming service:** Offers day‑pass or month‑pass options for non‑Sky customers, providing contract‑free access to all Sky Sports channels and the F1 feed.
- **Live blog:** For fans on the move, a dedicated F1 blog offers minute‑by‑minute updates, timing screens, and social media highlights. - **Highlights:** Short clips become available on the Sky Sports app shortly after the chequered flag, allowing fans to catch key overtakes and incidents. ### Additional Fan Experiences Baku’s race weekend is not just about the on‑track action. The city hosts a range of cultural events, fan zones, and driver meet‑and‑greets.
The “Paddock Uncut” video series gives viewers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the team garages, while the “Ted’s Notebook” segments provide expert analysis of qualifying and race performance. ### Summary In summary, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday to honor the nation’s Remembrance Day, resulting in a compressed Thursday‑Friday‑Saturday format. The Baku City Circuit’s blend of blistering speed and narrow, historic streets promises another unpredictable, high‑stakes race. With Kimi Antonelli leading the championship and a packed triple‑header of races ahead, the weekend will be crucial for drivers seeking to challenge the leader.
Fans can tune in via Sky Sports, the Sky Sports app, or the NOW streaming service, and they can stay updated through live blogs and highlight reels. Whether you are a die‑hard follower of the championship battle or a casual viewer attracted by the spectacle of cars roaring past medieval walls at over 200 mph, the Saturday race in Baku offers a unique and thrilling chapter in the 2026 Formula 1 season.