2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Baku Shifts to Saturday Race

The 2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku will run on an unconventional timeline, with the race taking place on Saturday, September 26th rather than the usual Sunday slot. The entire weekend shifts forward one day to accommodate Azerbaijan's Day of Remembrance, observed annually on September 27th.

Why it matters:

The Saturday race format has become a recurring feature of the Baku round, compressing the standard race weekend rhythm. Teams lose the overnight recovery period between qualifying and race day, while the street circuit's unforgiving walls leave little margin for error. With the championship entering its decisive phase at Round 15, the unusual schedule adds another layer of unpredictability.

The details:

• FP1: Thursday, September 24th, 12:30 local time
• FP2: Thursday, September 24th, 16:00 local time
• FP3: Friday, September 25th, 12:30 local time
• Qualifying: Friday, September 25th, 16:00 local time
• Race: Saturday, September 26th, 15:00 local time (51 laps)
• Baku runs three hours ahead of BST, meaning UK viewers tune in at 12:00 BST for the race start.

The big picture:

Baku's 6.003-kilometer layout is one of the most unique challenges on the calendar, combining a tight, twisty old-town sector with a relentless 2.2-kilometer flat-out straight. Overtaking is limited, making grid position crucial. With qualifying and the race separated by less than 24 hours, setup confidence from the very first practice session becomes essential.

What's next:

Once the chequered flag falls on Saturday, attention shifts quickly to the next round. For fans, the early race slot is a bonus, delivering Grand Prix action ahead of the typical Sunday evening timeslot.