The Azerbaijan Grand Prix returns to the Baku City Circuit for the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, but this year the event breaks tradition by taking place on a Saturday instead of the usual Sunday. The change is driven by a national observance, and it reshapes the whole weekend programme for teams, drivers and fans alike. With Kimi Antonelli leading the championship by a comfortable margin, the Baku race could prove decisive as the season heads into its final third.
Why the 2026 race is scheduled for Saturday
The shift to a Saturday start date is a direct response to Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day on 27 September. Organisers moved the Grand Prix to 26 September to avoid clashing with the day of national mourning. This adjustment means the usual Friday-Saturday-Sunday format is compressed into Thursday-Friday-Saturday, with the first free-practice session opening on Thursday morning. While the timetable is unusual for drivers accustomed to a Sunday finale, it mirrors the approach taken at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which also runs on a Saturday.
Weekend timetable and UK broadcast times
All sessions are listed in UK local time (GMT) and will be transmitted live on Sky Sports F1. The schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, 24 September – Practice 1 at 09:30, Practice 2 at 13:00.
- Friday, 25 September – Practice 3 at 09:30, Qualifying at 13:00.
- Saturday, 26 September – Build-up coverage from 10:30, followed by the race start at 12:00.
Because Azerbaijan is three hours ahead of the UK, the on-track action begins earlier in the day compared with most European rounds. Fans can also tune in to supplementary Sky programmes such as “The F1 Show” and “Ted’s Qualifying Notebook” for analysis and behind-the-scenes content.
Baku circuit characteristics and expected weather
The 1.4-mile straight that cuts through the city centre remains the longest on the calendar, allowing cars to reach speeds north of 200 mph. Slip-streaming is a key overtaking tool here, especially as drivers line-up three-wide into the first heavy-braking zone. The historic quarter of Baku hosts the narrowest segment, with the Turn 8-9 “castle” chicane squeezing the track to just 7.6 metres between barriers. This section has a reputation for triggering incidents, as seen in the 2018 clash between Red Bull teammates.
Forecasts predict a warm, dry weekend with maximum temperatures hovering in the mid-20s Celsius. Such conditions generally produce high grip levels, but the combination of extreme straight-line speed and tight, low-speed corners keeps the circuit unpredictable – a trait that often produces the season’s most dramatic moments.
How to watch: Sky Sports, NOW and mobile options
Subscribers to Sky Sports can view every on-track session via the Sky Sports F1 channel, either on television or through the Sky Sports app. The app allows fans to switch between various camera angles, listen to team radio and even join an on-board feed of a chosen driver.
For viewers without a Sky contract, the event is available through the NOW streaming service. NOW offers a contract-free Day Pass (≈ £14.99) or a Monthly Pass (≈ £34.99), granting access to all Sky Sports channels, including Main Event, on more than 60 devices. The service can be accessed via smart TV apps, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and even BT Sport platforms.
Both Sky and NOW provide live blogs and highlight reels that can be streamed shortly after the chequered flag, ensuring that even fans on the move stay up to date. Whether you prefer a traditional TV set-up or a mobile-first experience, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is fully accessible across all major platforms.
