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’s event is unusual because it is scheduled a day earlier than the typical Sunday Grand Prix, with practice sessions on Thursday, qualifying on Friday, and the race itself on Saturday, September 26. The shift in timing is not random; it aligns with Azerbaijan’s national observances and logistical considerations that affect both local fans and the global broadcast audience.
### The Reason Behind the Saturday Race Azerbaijan observes Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27. To avoid clashing with this solemn national holiday, the organisers moved the Grand Prix forward by one day.
This ensures that the event does not compete for attention with the country’s commemorations and allows spectators, officials, and media to participate in both activities without conflict. Consequently, the entire race weekend is compressed: the first free‑practice session begins on Thursday morning, the second on Thursday afternoon, the third on Friday morning, followed by qualifying later that day, and finally the main race on Saturday at midday local time. ### Time‑Zone Impact on the Global Audience Baku operates three hours ahead of the United Kingdom.
Because of this time difference, the Saturday schedule translates to a relatively early start for European viewers. Qualifying is slated for 1 p.m. UK time, while the race itself kicks off at 12 p.m. UK time.
For fans in North America, the race will be shown in the early morning hours, and Asian viewers will see it in the late evening. The early slot also benefits the teams, giving them a slightly longer recovery window before the next fly‑away events in Malaysia and Singapore, which follow as part of a three‑race triple‑header.
### Championship Context Entering Baku, Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship by a commanding 81 points after back‑to‑back victories in Monza and Madrid. With eight rounds remaining after this weekend, his rivals must seize every opportunity to close the gap.
The Baku circuit, with its blend of high‑speed straights and narrow, technical sections, is notorious for producing unpredictable results. A single mistake can turn a potential points haul into a race‑ending crash, as demonstrated by Oscar Piastri’s mishap in the previous year when he ran wide on the wall‑lined sections of the track.
### The Baku City Circuit – A Unique Challenge First introduced to the F1 calendar in 2016, the Baku City Circuit quickly became one of the sport’s fastest street tracks. The 1.4‑mile main straight is the longest of the season, allowing cars to exceed 200 mph. This raw speed creates ample slip‑streaming opportunities, often resulting in three‑car battles side by side as drivers jostle for position. The opening Turn 1 braking zone is particularly treacherous; it was the site of a dramatic collision between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in 2018.
After the initial straight, the layout transitions to two shorter straights linked by classic 90‑degree street‑circuit corners. The track then weaves through Baku’s historic old town, culminating in the narrowest segment of any F1 circuit – a 7.6‑metre gap between the barriers at the Turn 8‑9 "castle" chicane. This section runs adjacent to UNESCO‑protected medieval architecture, demanding razor‑sharp precision from drivers.
The combination of blistering speed and tight, low‑margin corners makes Baku a true test of driver skill, car setup, and strategic acumen. ### Weather and Track Conditions Forecasts for race week indicate warm, dry conditions with daytime temperatures hovering in the mid‑20s Celsius. Such weather typically produces a stable track surface, but the high ambient temperature can affect tyre degradation, especially on the long straight where the cars generate significant heat. Teams will need to balance a low‑downforce setup to maximise straight‑line speed against the need for sufficient grip in the slower, twisty sections.
### Full Weekend Schedule - **Wednesday, 23 September** – 11:00 a.m.: Drivers’ press conference; 2:00 p.m.: Paddock Uncut interview series. - **Thursday, 24 September** – 6:55 a.m.: Formula 2 practice; 9:00 a.m.: Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 (starts 9:30 a.m.); 10:55 a.m.: Formula 2 qualifying; 12:00 p.m.: Team bosses’ press conference; 12:30 p.m.: Practice 2 (starts 1:00 p.m.); 2:15 p.m.: The F1 Show. - **Friday, 25 September** – 5:10 a.m.: Formula 2 sprint; 9:15 a.m.: Practice 3 (starts 9:30 a.m.); 11:10 a.m.: Formula 2 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.: Formula 2 Feature Race 2; 10:30 a.m.: Grand Prix build‑up; 12:00 p.m.: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix; 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.
### Viewing Options - **Television**: Sky Sports F1 will carry the entire weekend, from Thursday’s first practice through to Saturday’s race. - **App**: Sky Sports app users can stream the coverage, with an optional “on‑board” camera view for any driver.
- **Streaming**: Non‑Sky customers can access the action via the NOW platform, available as a day‑pass or a flexible month‑to‑month subscription that can be cancelled at any time. - **Live Blog**: For those on the move, a dedicated F1 blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates. - **Highlights**: Sky Sports app offers short‑form highlights shortly after the chequered flag.
### About NOW Streaming NOW is an instant‑streaming service that gives subscribers access to all twelve Sky Sports channels, including Sky Sports+, across more than 60 devices. It operates on a contract‑free basis, allowing users to start or stop their membership whenever they wish. Pricing options include daily or monthly passes, making it easy for occasional viewers to catch a single Grand Prix without committing to a long‑term contract.
### Final Thoughts The decision to run the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on a Saturday reflects a respectful accommodation of the host nation’s holiday calendar while also offering logistical benefits for teams and broadcasters. Baku’s unique blend of ultra‑high‑speed sections and razor‑thin corners promises another thrilling chapter in the 2026 season, especially as the championship battle tightens around Antonelli’s sizable lead. Fans worldwide can tune in via Sky Sports, the Sky Sports app, or the flexible NOW streaming service to witness the drama unfold on one of Formula 1’s most iconic street circuits.