The 2026 Formula 1 calendar brings the sport back to 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, however, will feel slightly different for fans and teams alike because the entire programme has been shifted forward by a day. Practice sessions will kick off on Thursday, qualifying will be held on Friday, and the Grand Prix itself will take place on Saturday, September 26. The adjustment is not arbitrary; it has been made to accommodate Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day, which falls on Sunday, September 27.
By moving the race to Saturday, organisers ensure that the event does not clash with the solemn observances that many citizens will be attending. The Baku round is the first leg of a three‑race overseas swing that will see the championship head to Malaysia and then Singapore.
As a "fly‑away" triple header, the schedule is already compressed, and the early start means that teams must be ready to hit the track a day earlier than they would for a typical European weekend. Thursday’s practice sessions give drivers a chance to get a feel for the 1.4‑mile (2.25‑km) main straight – the longest straight on the current F1 calendar – where cars can exceed 200 mph and benefit from slipstreaming that often results in three‑wide racing. Friday’s qualifying will decide the grid for the Saturday race, which is slated to start at midday local time (1 pm UK time), reflecting Azerbaijan’s three‑hour time‑difference from the United Kingdom. The championship battle is already shaping up to be a one‑man show.
Kimi Antonelli sits atop the drivers’ standings with an 81‑point cushion after back‑to‑back victories in Monza and Madrid. With eight rounds remaining after Baku, his rivals must mount a serious challenge if they hope to close the gap. Yet the Baku circuit is notorious for throwing curveballs at even the most seasoned pilots. Last year, Oscar Piastri learned the hard way that a single mis‑step on the wall‑lined track can end a weekend in an instant.
The layout combines ultra‑fast sections with tight, technical corners, demanding both bravery and precision. The circuit itself weaves through the historic heart of Baku, a city where Europe meets Asia on the Caspian Sea. First introduced to the F1 calendar in 2016 under the banner of the European Grand Prix, it adopted the Azerbaijan name from the following season onward.
Its street‑circuit character is evident in the contrasting sections: after the long main straight, drivers brake heavily into Turn 1, a spot that saw a spectacular collision between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in 2018. The track then narrows to a series of 90‑degree turns before plunging into the ancient quarter of the city. Here, the infamous Turn 8‑9 – a tight, castle‑like chicane only 7.6 metres wide – threads cars past UNESCO‑protected medieval architecture, making it the narrowest portion of any F1 venue this year. Mistakes in this segment are unforgiving, as the barriers leave virtually no margin for error.
Weather forecasts for race week predict warm, dry conditions with temperatures hovering in the mid‑20s Celsius. Such stable weather should allow teams to stick to their planned tyre strategies without the surprise of rain‑induced changes. The schedule for the weekend is packed with support series and ancillary events. Wednesday begins with a drivers’ press conference at 11 am, followed by a paddock‑uncut session at 2 pm.
Thursday features the first two Formula 2 practice sessions, the opening F1 practice at 9:30 am, and a team bosses’ press conference at noon. Friday’s agenda includes the F2 sprint, a third F1 practice, the F2 feature race, and finally the crucial qualifying session for the Grand Prix at 1 pm.
Saturday culminates with the F2 Feature Race 2, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself at 12 pm, and post‑race analysis programmes. For viewers, Sky Sports remains the primary broadcaster in the UK.
Sky customers can watch every session from Thursday’s first practice through to the Saturday race on Sky Sports F1. The Sky Sports app also offers an onboard camera experience, letting fans choose a driver’s perspective. Those without a Sky subscription can access the action via the NOW streaming service, which provides flexible day‑or‑month passes and can be used on more than 60 devices. In addition, a live blog will provide minute‑by‑minute updates for fans on the move, and highlights will be uploaded to the Sky Sports app shortly after the chequered flag.
The decision to run the Grand Prix on a Saturday is a practical solution that respects local customs while still delivering a full‑throttle F1 spectacle. It ensures that the race does not interfere with national remembrance activities, and it offers fans a slightly earlier viewing window that aligns with UK broadcast times. As the season progresses, the Baku City Circuit will once again test drivers’ limits, offering a blend of blistering speed, narrow medieval passages, and high‑stakes drama that can reshape the championship narrative. Whether you are a die‑hard follower of the points battle or a casual viewer attracted by the sheer visual spectacle, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be a memorable chapter in this year’s Formula 1 story.