The 2026 Formula 1 calendar will see the Azerbaijan Grand Prix staged on a Saturday, marking another thrilling stop at the Baku City Circuit – a venue that has earned a reputation for delivering some of the most dramatic and incident‑laden races of the year. This weekend opens a three‑race overseas swing that will continue with events in Malaysia and Singapore, and the Baku programme is shifted forward by a full day compared with the typical F1 schedule.
As a result, the practice sessions begin on Thursday, qualifying is held on Friday, and the main race takes place on Saturday, September 26. The shift in timing is not arbitrary. Azerbaijan observes Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27, and the organisers have moved the Grand Prix to avoid clashing with national commemorations. Consequently, the entire weekend is compressed: drivers get two practice runs on Thursday, a third session on Friday morning, followed by the crucial qualifying shoot‑out later that day, and finally the race itself on Saturday at midday local time.
Because Azerbaijan lies three hours ahead of the United Kingdom, the on‑track action starts slightly earlier than the European rounds, with qualifying slated for 1:00 p.m. GMT and the race kicking off at 12:00 p.m. GMT. Since its debut on the F1 calendar in 2016, the Baku City Circuit has become one of the sport’s fastest street courses.
The 1.4‑mile (2.2‑km) main straight is the longest of the season, allowing cars to exceed 200 mph and creating endless opportunities for slipstreaming and multi‑car overtakes. The opening Turn 1 braking zone is notorious for high‑speed incidents – most famously the 2018 clash between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo – and it sets the tone for the demanding nature of the layout. After the long straight, the track narrows into a series of short straights linked by tight 90‑degree corners before plunging into the historic heart of Baku.
Here, the circuit reaches its most constricted point at Turn 8‑9, a chicane only 7.6 metres wide, which threads the cars through the UNESCO‑protected medieval district. The combination of high speed and extreme proximity to barriers demands absolute precision from the drivers; a single mistake can end a race in an instant.
The current championship narrative adds extra intrigue to the Baku weekend. Kimi Antonelli sits atop the drivers’ standings with an 81‑point lead after back‑to‑back victories in Monza and Madrid.
With eight rounds remaining after Azerbaijan, his rivals must seize every opportunity to close the gap, and the unpredictable nature of the Baku circuit could prove decisive. Last year’s race reminded everyone that even the title‑contending Oscar Piastri can be caught out by the wall‑lined layout, underscoring the fine line between triumph and disaster. Weather forecasts predict warm, dry conditions throughout the week, with daytime highs hovering in the mid‑20s Celsius.
Such stable temperatures are ideal for tyre performance, but the intense heat can also increase the strain on brakes and power units, especially on the long straight and the heavy braking zones. The official schedule is as follows: - **Wednesday, 23 September** – 11:00 a.m.
Drivers' Press Conference; 2:00 p.m. Paddock Uncut.
- **Thursday, 24 September** – 6:55 a.m. F2 Practice; 9:00 a.m.
Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 (starts at 9:30 a.m. local); 10:55 a.m. F2 Qualifying; 12:00 p.m.
Team Bosses' Press Conference; 12:30 p.m. Practice 2 (starts at 1:00 p.m.); 2:15 p.m. The F1 Show.
- **Friday, 25 September** – 5:10 a.m. F2 Sprint; 9:15 a.m. Practice 3 (starts at 9:30 a.m.); 11:10 a.m. F2 Feature Race 1; 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; 12:00 p.m. Azerbaijan Grand Prix; 2:00 p.m.
Chequered Flag reaction; 3:00 p.m. Ted's Notebook. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 for subscribers, with additional streaming options via the Sky Sports app, NOW TV, and various online platforms. Non‑Sky customers can purchase a day‑pass or a flexible month‑to‑month membership through NOW, which offers contract‑free access across more than 60 devices.
For fans on the move, a dedicated F1 live‑blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates, and highlight reels become available shortly after the race concludes. In summary, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix’s Saturday slot is a direct response to the nation’s Remembrance Day, compressing the weekend’s activities while preserving the full complement of practice, qualifying, and race. The Baku City Circuit’s unique blend of blistering speed, tight medieval sections, and high‑risk braking zones ensures that the event will remain a focal point of the season, offering both championship contenders and underdogs a chance to make a statement.
Whether you are watching from the UK, streaming on a mobile device, or following the live blog, the Saturday race promises high drama, strategic intrigue, and the kind of unforgettable moments that define Formula 1.