The 2026 Formula 1 calendar brings the sport back to the Baku City Circuit for what is traditionally one of the most unpredictable and action‑filled rounds of the year. This year, however, the schedule deviates from the usual Sunday finish: the race will be run on Saturday, September 26, with practice beginning on Thursday and qualifying on Friday. The shift is not arbitrary; it is linked to Azerbaijan’s national observances and the logistical demands of a tightly packed triple‑header that also includes stops in Malaysia and Singapore. **Understanding the Saturday Race** Baku’s Grand Prix falls on a Saturday because the country commemorates Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27.
To avoid clashing with national ceremonies and to give local fans the opportunity to observe the holiday, the organizers moved the entire weekend forward by one day. Consequently, the first free‑practice session kicks off on Thursday morning, the qualifying session is slated for Friday afternoon, and the main race starts at midday on Saturday.
This timing also aligns with the local time zone, which is three hours ahead of the United Kingdom, meaning that the Saturday race will be broadcast at 12:00 pm UK time, with qualifying at 1:00 pm. **The Baku City Circuit – A Brief Overview** First introduced to the F1 calendar in 2016, the Baku City Circuit weaves through the historic heart of Azerbaijan’s capital, where Europe meets Asia on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The track initially raced under the European Grand Prix banner before adopting the country’s name from the second season onward. At 3.7 miles (approximately 5.9 km) in length, it is one of the longest street circuits on the calendar and features the longest straight of any venue – a 1.4‑mile (2.2‑km) drag that allows cars to exceed 200 mph.
The sheer velocity on the straight creates massive slip‑streaming opportunities, often resulting in three‑car battles side by side as drivers fight for position. The circuit’s layout is a study in contrasts.
After the high‑speed start‑finish straight, drivers face a tight Turn 1 braking zone that has been the scene of several high‑profile incidents, including the 2018 collision between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. Following two shorter straights linked by classic 90‑degree street‑circuit corners, the track plunges into the medieval quarter of Baku. Here, the narrowest segment of the season – a mere 7.6 metres between the barriers – forces drivers to navigate the Turn 8‑9 “castle” chicane with razor‑sharp precision, skirting the UNESCO‑protected old city walls.
**Current Championship Context** Heading into Baku, 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 this weekend, his rivals must mount a serious challenge if they hope to keep the title fight alive. Oscar Piastri, the reigning champion, learned the hard way last year how unforgiving Baku can be; a single mistake on the wall‑lined circuit can end a weekend in an instant.
The combination of high speeds, tight corners, and limited runoff zones means that even the most experienced drivers must balance aggression with caution. **Weekend Schedule in Detail** - **Wednesday, 23 September** – 11:00 am Drivers’ Press Conference; 2:00 pm Paddock Uncut (behind‑the‑scenes content). - **Thursday, 24 September** – 6:55 am F2 Practice; 9:00 am Azerbaijan GP Practice 1 (starts at 9:30 am); 10:55 am F2 Qualifying; 12:00 pm Team Bosses’ Press Conference; 12:30 pm Practice 2 (starts at 1:00 pm); 2:15 pm The F1 Show. - **Friday, 25 September** – 5:10 am F2 Sprint; 9:15 am Practice 3 (starts at 9:30 am); 11:10 am F2 Feature Race 1; 12:30 pm Qualifying build‑up; 1:00 pm Azerbaijan GP Qualifying; 3:00 pm Ted’s Qualifying Notebook.
- **Saturday, 26 September** – 7:55 am F2 Feature Race 2; 10:30 am Grand Prix start; 12:00 pm Race finish; 2:00 pm Chequered‑Flag reaction; 3:00 pm Ted’s Notebook. All sessions are also streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event for subscribers, with additional coverage options via the Sky Sports app, NOW streaming service, and a dedicated live‑blog for those on the move. **Broadcast and Streaming Options** Sky Sports customers can watch every session from Thursday’s first practice through Saturday’s race on the Sky Sports F1 channel. The Sky Sports app offers an onboard camera experience, letting fans view the action from a driver’s perspective.
For non‑Sky viewers, the NOW platform provides flexible, contract‑free access with Day or Month passes, supporting streaming on more than 60 devices. Highlights are posted shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app, and a live blog offers minute‑by‑minute updates for those who prefer text‑based coverage. **Weather and Track Conditions** Forecasts predict warm, dry weather throughout the weekend, with daytime highs in the mid‑20s Celsius (mid‑70s Fahrenheit).
Such conditions typically produce a high‑grip surface, allowing drivers to push the cars to their limits on the long straight while maintaining stability through the tight, technical sections of the circuit. **Why the Early Start Matters for Teams and Fans** The Saturday race format compresses the weekend, giving teams less time to fine‑tune setups between practice, qualifying, and the race.
Engineers must extract maximum data from Thursday’s two practice sessions, then rapidly adapt for Friday’s qualifying run. For fans, the earlier schedule means the race is broadcast at a more convenient time in Europe, potentially drawing a larger television audience. It also provides a unique atmosphere in Baku, as the city’s streets are quieter on a Saturday compared to the usual Sunday hustle.
In summary, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to deliver the high‑octane drama that Baku is famous for, now on a Saturday to respect local holidays and accommodate a packed global schedule. With championship leader Kimi Antonelli looking to extend his dominance and rivals scrambling for points, the combination of blistering speed, narrow medieval passages, and a compact weekend promises another unforgettable chapter in Formula 1’s storied history.