The 2026 Formula 1 calendar sees the Azerbaijan Grand Prix taking place on a Saturday, a departure from the usual Sunday slot that most fans are accustomed to. This shift is not arbitrary; it reflects a combination of local cultural observances, logistical considerations, and the broader structure of the season’s schedule. In this article we will explore the reasons behind the Saturday race, outline the full weekend programme, and provide background on the Baku City Circuit, its unique challenges, and what viewers can expect from the broadcast and streaming options. ### A Weekend That Starts Early The Baku round is the first event in a three‑race overseas swing that also includes Malaysia and Singapore.
Because the organisers want to give teams enough time to move equipment and personnel between these distant venues, the Baku weekend has been compressed by a day. Practice sessions therefore begin on Thursday, qualifying is held on Friday, and the main race is contested on Saturday, September 26.
This arrangement also ensures that the following Sunday, September 27, can be observed as Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day, a solemn holiday that would otherwise clash with a Sunday Grand Prix. ### Timing for a Global Audience Azerbaijan sits three hours ahead of the United Kingdom, so the local schedule translates to slightly earlier slots for European viewers. Qualifying is slated for 1 p.m. local time, which is 12 p.m.
in the UK, and the race itself starts at midday local time (11 a.m. UK). This timing is convenient for audiences across Europe and even reaches a reasonable window for North‑American fans who will be watching in the early morning. ### The Baku City Circuit – A Brief History The street track that winds through the capital city of Baku first appeared on the F1 calendar in 2016 under the banner of the European Grand Prix.
From 2017 onward it has carried the name Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The circuit is renowned for being one of the fastest street layouts in the sport. Its 1.4‑mile (2.2 km) main straight is the longest of any F1 venue, allowing cars to exceed 200 mph and creating spectacular slip‑stream battles where three cars can line up side‑by‑side. The high‑speed section is balanced by a series of tight, 90‑degree corners that test drivers’ precision and bravery.
One of the most infamous moments on the circuit occurred in 2018 when Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo collided at the massive Turn 1 braking zone, illustrating how quickly the track can punish a mistake. Further along, the narrowest part of the layout – a 7.6‑metre gap between the barriers at the Turn 8‑9 “castle” chicane – threads the cars through Baku’s UNESCO‑protected medieval district. This juxtaposition of blistering speed and historic architecture makes the race a visual and sporting highlight each year. ### Why a Saturday Race Makes Sense The decision to move the Grand Prix to Saturday is primarily driven by respect for Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27.
Holding a major international sporting event on a national day of mourning would be seen as insensitive. By moving the race forward, organisers honour local customs while still delivering a full‑featured F1 weekend. Additionally, the compressed schedule helps the championship maintain momentum during a busy part of the season. With only eight rounds remaining after Baku, drivers like Kimi Antonelli – who currently leads the championship by 81 points after back‑to‑back victories in Monza and Madrid – need every race to count.
A Saturday race compresses the action, keeping fans engaged and reducing the downtime between successive overseas events. ### Full Programme for the Baku Weekend - **Wednesday, 23 September** – 11 a.m.: Drivers’ press conference; 2 p.m.: Paddock Uncut interview series. - **Thursday, 24 September** – 6:55 a.m.: Formula 2 practice; 9:00 a.m.: First F1 practice (starts at 9:30 a.m.); 10:55 a.m.: F2 qualifying; 12:00 p.m.: Team bosses’ press conference; 12:30 p.m.: Second F1 practice (starts at 1 p.m.); 2:15 p.m.: The F1 Show. - **Friday, 25 September** – 5:10 a.m.: F2 sprint race; 9:15 a.m.: Third F1 practice (starts at 9:30 a.m.); 11:10 a.m.: F2 feature race; 12:30 p.m.: Qualifying build‑up; 1:00 p.m.: Azerbaijan GP qualifying; 3:00 p.m.: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook.
- **Saturday, 26 September** – 7:55 a.m.: F2 feature race 2; 10:30 a.m.: Grand Prix build‑up; 12:00 p.m.: Azerbaijan Grand Prix (race); 2:00 p.m.: Chequered‑flag reaction; 3:00 p.m.: Ted’s post‑race notebook. All sessions marked with an asterisk are also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. ### How to Watch the Race - **Television** – Sky Sports F1 will carry every session from Thursday practice through to the Saturday race. Sky customers can tune in on the dedicated F1 channel.
- **App** – The Sky Sports app offers a second screen experience, including the option to follow a specific driver’s onboard feed. - **Streaming** – Non‑Sky viewers can access the action via the NOW service, which provides day‑pass or month‑pass subscriptions with no long‑term contract. NOW supports over 60 devices, making it easy to watch on phones, tablets, or smart TVs. - **Live Blog** – For those on the move, a real‑time blog on the Sky Sports website provides minute‑by‑minute updates, photos, and analysis.
- **Highlights** – Shortly after the checkered flag, Sky Sports will upload a highlights reel to the app for on‑demand viewing. ### What to Expect on Race Day Weather forecasts predict warm, dry conditions with high temperatures in the mid‑20s Celsius (mid‑70s Fahrenheit). Such conditions typically produce fast lap times and reduce the likelihood of rain‑induced strategy twists.
However, the extreme heat can affect tyre degradation, especially on the long straight where the cars generate significant thermal load. Given the circuit’s blend of high‑speed sections and tight, technical corners, teams will need to strike a balance between low‑drag aerodynamic setups for straight‑line speed and enough downforce to navigate the narrow chicane safely.
Drivers who excel at managing brake temperatures and maintaining composure through the narrow Turn 8‑9 will likely gain an advantage. ### Championship Implications With only eight races left after Baku, the points on offer become increasingly valuable. Antonelli’s sizeable lead puts pressure on his rivals – notably Oscar Piastri, who learned the hard way at last year’s Baku race when a small error on the wall‑lined circuit ended his podium hopes.
The Saturday format means there is less recovery time between races, so any mistake could prove costly in the title chase. In summary, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix’s Saturday slot is a thoughtful response to local cultural observances, logistical demands of a triple‑header overseas swing, and the desire to keep the championship narrative tight and exciting.
Fans can look forward to a compact, action‑packed weekend featuring high‑speed drama on one of Formula 1’s most distinctive street circuits, all accessible via television, app, or streaming platforms.