The Formula 1 calendar places the Azerbaijan round on a Saturday this year, marking a slight departure from the usual Sunday finale. The Baku City Circuit, renowned for delivering some of the most chaotic and thrilling races of the season, will host the event as part of a three‑race overseas swing that also includes stops in Malaysia and Singapore.
Because the weekend starts a day earlier than a typical Grand Prix, the schedule is compressed: practice sessions run on Thursday, qualifying is held on Friday, and the main race takes place on Saturday, September 26. This adjustment is not arbitrary. Azerbaijan observes Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27, and the organizers have chosen to avoid a clash with the national holiday by moving the race forward by one day.
Consequently, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be the only Saturday race on the calendar, with qualifying set for 1 p.m. local time on Friday and the race slated for midday on Saturday. The country operates three hours ahead of the United Kingdom, meaning the broadcast windows will be slightly earlier than those used for European events. Baku’s street circuit first appeared on the F1 schedule in 2016, initially under the banner of the European Grand Prix before adopting the Azerbaijan name from the following year.
The track is celebrated for its extreme speed and tight urban layout. Its 1.4‑mile (2.2‑km) main straight is the longest of the season, allowing cars to exceed 200 mph and creating abundant slip‑streaming opportunities where three vehicles can line up side‑by‑side. The opening corner, a massive braking zone, has already produced dramatic incidents, most famously the 2018 collision between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.
After the high‑speed section, the circuit narrows dramatically. Two short straights are linked by classic 90‑degree street‑circuit turns before the layout plunges into the historic heart of Baku. Here, the track reaches its tightest point: the Turn 8‑9 "castle" chicane, where the barrier‑to‑barrier width shrinks to just 7.6 metres.
This section threads the cars through a UNESCO‑protected medieval district, demanding razor‑sharp precision from drivers who must balance the need for speed with the risk of clipping the walls. Weather forecasts for race week predict warm, dry conditions with daytime highs in the mid‑20s Celsius, offering optimal grip levels for the slick tyres. The schedule is packed with supporting events.
On Wednesday, September 23, a drivers’ press conference kicks off at 11 a.m., followed by a paddock‑uncut session at 2 p.m. Thursday sees the first two Formula 2 practice runs in the early morning, the opening F1 practice at 9:30 a.m., and a second practice at 1 p.m., interspersed with team‑boss press briefings and the F1 Show at 2:15 p.m. Friday’s agenda includes the Formula 2 sprint race in the early morning, a third F1 practice session at 9:30 a.m., the F2 feature race at 11:10 a.m., and the crucial qualifying session for the Grand Prix at 1 p.m.
Saturday’s timeline begins with the second F2 feature race at 7:55 a.m., leading into the Grand Prix itself at 10:30 a.m., with post‑race analysis and commentary following the chequered flag. For fans, the broadcast options are extensive. Sky Sports F1 will carry every session from Thursday’s first practice through to the Saturday race. Subscribers can also stream via the Sky Sports app, which offers an onboard camera perspective for each driver.
Those without a Sky subscription can access the action through the NOW platform, which provides day‑pass or month‑pass streaming without a long‑term contract. A live blog will run throughout the weekend for viewers on the move, and highlights will be uploaded to the Sky Sports app shortly after the race concludes.
The championship battle adds another layer of intrigue. Kimi Antonelli currently leads the drivers’ standings by a sizable 81 points after consecutive victories in Monza and Madrid. With eight rounds remaining after Baku, his rivals must mount a strong challenge to keep their hopes alive. Oscar Piastri, the previous title contender, learned the hard way at last year’s Baku event how unforgiving the circuit can be; a single error in the wall‑lined sections can end a race instantly.
In summary, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix’s Saturday slot is a strategic decision to respect a national holiday while delivering a compact, action‑packed weekend for global audiences. The Baku City Circuit’s blend of blistering straights, tight medieval chicanes, and high‑stakes overtaking zones ensures that both qualifying and the race itself will be full of drama.
Whether you are watching live on television, streaming through NOW, or following the live blog, the event promises to be one of the most exciting highlights of the 2026 Formula 1 season.