Baku's 2026 F1 Grand Prix moves to Saturday to avoid national mourning day

Formula 1's 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, September 26, instead of the usual Sunday, after local organisers requested the move to avoid a clash with the country's Day of Remembrance. The national day of mourning on September 27 honors nearly 3,000 Azeri troops killed during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a result, the entire weekend schedule shifts forward by one day: practice on Thursday, qualifying on Friday, and the race on Saturday at 15:00 local time (12:00 BST).

Why it matters:

This is a rare scheduling deviation in F1, where Saturday races remain exceptions rather than the rule. Baku becomes the first of two Saturday races in the 2026 calendar, with Las Vegas later in the year. The change carries practical implications for teams and fans:

• Teams face a compressed turnaround between sessions, requiring adjustments to engineering and strategy routines.
• European viewers get a prime afternoon slot, potentially boosting the race's viewership.
• The unusual Thursday-to-Saturday format adds another variable to a season already undergoing major technical regulation changes.

The details:

• The race start time is confirmed for 15:00 local time on Saturday, September 26.
• Practice sessions will occur on Thursday, with qualifying on Friday.
• The Baku City Circuit, known for its narrow walls, long straights, and the famous castle section, has produced several dramatic races since joining the F1 calendar in 2017.
• Saturday races have been few and far between in modern F1, often reserved for special occasions like the Las Vegas night race.
• The 2026 season will feature another Saturday race in Las Vegas, starting Saturday night local time, which translates to early Sunday morning in Europe.
• The move also ensures the race does not overshadow the nation's day of remembrance, a key cultural consideration for the host country.

What's next:

The schedule change is one of several notable aspects of the 2026 season, which also introduces a new generation of power units and aerodynamic regulations. Teams will need to factor the altered timeline into their preparations, from travel planning to simulation work. For Baku, the earlier race day offers a unique opportunity to attract a wider global audience, especially in Europe, where the start time falls conveniently in the afternoon. F1 and the Azerbaijan organisers have confirmed the move, with the race now officially part of a weekend that honors the nation's history.