The Formula 1 circus heads to Azerbaijan on Saturday, marking the return of the series to the Baku City Circuit – a venue notorious for delivering some of the most chaotic and memorable moments of any season. This event kicks off a three‑race overseas swing that will see the championship move on to Malaysia and Singapore later in the month, making the Baku weekend a pivotal early test for drivers and teams alike. Unlike a typical Grand Prix weekend, the Baku schedule is compressed by one day.
Practice sessions begin on Thursday, qualifying is held on Friday, and the main race takes place on Saturday. This adjustment is due to the country's national Remembrance Day, observed on Sunday, September 27, which pushes the race forward by a day. As a result, fans can expect the qualifying session at 1 p.m.
local time and the Grand Prix itself at midday, both of which are three hours ahead of United Kingdom time. Currently, Kimi Antonelli dominates the drivers' standings, sitting 81 points clear after back‑to‑back victories in Monza and Madrid.
With eight rounds still to run after Baku, his rivals are under pressure to string together strong performances if they hope to mount a serious challenge. However, the Baku circuit has a reputation for punishing even the most skilled drivers.
Oscar Piastri’s crash at last year’s event serves as a reminder that the narrow, wall‑flanked layout can turn a small error into a race‑ending incident at any point during qualifying or the race itself. The Baku City Circuit, situated on the Caspian Sea’s edge where Europe meets Asia, first appeared on the F1 calendar in 2016 under the banner of the European Grand Prix. From the following year onward it adopted the name of its host nation and quickly earned a reputation as one of the sport’s fastest street tracks. Its 1.4‑mile (2.2‑km) main straight is the longest on the calendar, allowing cars to exceed 200 mph.
The sheer length creates a massive slip‑streaming zone where drivers can line up three‑wide and attempt daring overtakes before the heavy braking zone into Turn 1 – a corner that was the scene of a spectacular Red Bull teammate collision between Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in 2018. After the opening straight, the circuit features two shorter straights linked by classic 90‑degree street‑circuit turns before diving into the historic heart of Baku. Here, the track narrows dramatically, reaching a width of just 7.6 metres at the Turn 8‑9 chicane – the tightest point on the entire season.
This section snakes past the UNESCO‑protected medieval district, demanding razor‑sharp precision from drivers as they navigate the ‘castle’ chicane at high speed. Weather forecasts for race week predict warm, dry conditions with daytime temperatures hovering in the mid‑20s Celsius, providing ideal grip levels for the slick tyres but also adding an extra layer of stress on cooling systems and tyre management strategies.
The weekend’s timetable is packed: - Thursday: First practice session (open to Sky Sports F1 subscribers from early morning) - Friday: Qualifying at 1 p.m. local time - Saturday, September 26: * 7:55 a.m. – Formula 2 Feature Race 2 * 10:30 a.m. – Grand Prix build‑up coverage * 12:00 p.m.
– The Azerbaijan Grand Prix live * 2:00 p.m. – Post‑race reaction and analysis * 3:00 p.m.
– “Ted’s Notebook” commentary segment All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 for Sky subscribers, with the option to follow the action via the Sky Sports app, which even allows viewers to switch to a driver‑specific onboard feed. Those without a Sky subscription can access the race through the NOW streaming service, available on a day‑pass or month‑pass basis with no contract required.
Additionally, a live text blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates for fans on the move, and highlights are posted shortly after the checkered flag on the Sky Sports app. Sky customers can also take advantage of Sky iD tools to manage their accounts, while NOW offers contract‑free streaming across more than 60 devices, making it simple to watch the race on smartphones, tablets, or smart TVs.
Membership options are flexible, allowing fans to choose between a single‑day pass for the race weekend or a month‑long subscription if they plan to follow the entire triple‑header series. In summary, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises high‑speed thrills, tight‑corner drama, and the ever‑present possibility of unexpected incidents that can reshape the championship battle. Whether you are a dedicated Sky Sports F1 subscriber, a NOW streaming user, or simply following the live blog, there are plenty of ways to experience the excitement of Baku’s Saturday showdown. Prepare your schedule, set your alarms for midday local time, and get ready for a race that could prove decisive in the fight for the title.