The Formula 1 calendar heads to Azerbaijan this weekend, with the series returning to the Baku City Circuit for what is traditionally one of the most unpredictable and action‑packed rounds of the year. This event marks the opening leg of a three‑race overseas swing that will continue with stops in Malaysia and Singapore, and the Baku weekend has been shifted a day earlier than usual. As a result, the practice sessions kick off on Thursday, qualifying is held on Friday, and the main Grand Prix takes place on Saturday. Currently, Kimi Antonelli dominates the drivers' championship, sitting 81 points clear after back‑to‑back victories in Monza and Madrid.
With eight races remaining after Baku, his rivals will need to mount a serious challenge if they hope to close the gap. However, as last year’s title contender Oscar Piastri discovered, the Baku circuit can be unforgiving; its narrow, wall‑lined sections punish even the slightest error, making both qualifying and the race a true test of precision and bravery.
The race is scheduled for Saturday, 26 September, because the following day, 27 September, is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. Consequently, the entire weekend runs a day ahead of the typical Formula 1 timetable: Thursday hosts the two practice sessions, Friday features qualifying, and the Grand Prix starts at midday on Saturday. Azerbaijan operates three hours ahead of the United Kingdom, so the on‑track action will be slightly earlier than most European events, with qualifying slated for 1 p.m.
local time and the race commencing at 12 p.m. Baku, perched on the Caspian Sea where Europe meets Asia, first welcomed Formula 1 in 2016. That inaugural year the event ran under the European Grand Prix banner before adopting the Azerbaijan name from the following season. The circuit is renowned for its high‑speed street‑layout, highlighted by a 1.4‑mile straight that is the longest of the entire season.
Cars routinely exceed 200 mph on this stretch, creating ample opportunities for slipstreaming and multi‑car overtakes, often with three vehicles abreast. The massive braking zone into Turn One has already produced memorable incidents, most notably the 2018 clash between Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.
After the opening straight, the layout features two shorter straights linked by classic 90‑degree street‑circuit corners before the track dives into the historic heart of Baku. Here, drivers confront the narrowest segment of any Formula 1 venue – a mere 7.6 metres between the barriers – as they navigate the tight Turn Eight‑Nine "castle" chicane that skirts the UNESCO‑protected medieval district. This combination of blistering speed and razor‑thin margins makes Baku a unique blend of raw power and delicate car control.
Weather forecasts for race week predict warm, dry conditions with daytime highs hovering in the mid‑20s Celsius. Such stable weather should allow teams to focus on setup and strategy rather than adapting to sudden rain, although the heat may influence tyre degradation and driver stamina.
The weekend’s schedule is packed with additional on‑track action. On Saturday morning, the Formula 2 Feature Race 2 begins at 7:55 a.m., followed by the main Grand Prix at 10:30 a.m. The broadcast lineup includes a pre‑race build‑up, the live race at noon, a post‑race reaction segment at 2 p.m., and a commentary feature called "Ted's Notebook" at 3 p.m., all of which are also streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event. Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the entire weekend on Sky Sports F1, starting with Thursday’s first practice session and continuing through to the Saturday race.
Sky subscribers also have the option to follow the action via the Sky Sports app, where they can select a driver’s onboard feed for a more immersive experience. For those without a Sky subscription, the NOW streaming service offers flexible access: a day pass or a month‑to‑month membership that can be cancelled at any time.
NOW provides instant streaming on over 60 devices and includes all twelve Sky Sports channels as well as Sky Sports+ streams. In addition to live television coverage, fans on the move can keep up with real‑time updates through the dedicated Formula 1 live blog. Highlights from the race will be available shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app, allowing viewers to catch up on key moments they might have missed.
Sky customers can also take advantage of Sky iD support to manage their account details, while NOW’s contract‑free model ensures that users can subscribe for a single day or a full month without long‑term commitment. Pricing information and further details about the streaming service are accessible via the NOW website. In summary, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises a thrilling Saturday showdown, with the Baku circuit’s blend of extreme speed, tight corners, and historic scenery set to test the mettle of every driver and team. Whether you are watching on television, streaming via an app, or following the live blog, the race is poised to deliver the high‑octane drama that Formula 1 fans have come to expect from this iconic venue.