F1 Azerbaijan GP 2026: Saturday race in Baku as Antonelli chases another title step

Formula 1 heads to Baku for an unusually early Azerbaijan GP weekend, with all on-track action shifted forward by one day. Free practice starts Thursday, qualifying runs Friday and the grand prix takes place Saturday, as Azerbaijan observes Remembrance Day on Sunday. Kimi Antonelli arrives with a commanding 81-point championship lead after winning the last two races.

Why it matters:

The schedule change makes Baku the first Saturday race of the 2026 season, and the championship picture adds extra weight to the weekend. Antonelli can extend his advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell with another strong result. The circuit's unique layout — tight street sections and a very long main straight — will put energy deployment and braking confidence at the centre of the weekend.

The details:

• All sessions move forward a day: FP1 and FP2 on Thursday, FP3 and qualifying on Friday, and the race on Saturday at 3:00pm local time.
• Baku marks 10 years since Formula 1 first raced here, when the circuit hosted the 2016 European Grand Prix before becoming the Azerbaijan GP in 2017.
• The 2026 season reaches round 15 in Azerbaijan, with Antonelli leading Russell by 81 points.
• The street circuit demands confidence under braking, strong straightline performance and careful energy management through its narrow sections.

Weather:

• Thursday is mild and mostly sunny, around 22-25C, with a breeze off the Caspian Sea. Rain is unlikely.
• Friday stays dry and sunny for final practice and qualifying, though stronger winds could make conditions trickier.
• Saturday is forecast to be clear, with temperatures near 24C at the race start.

Broadcast:

• UK: Sky Sports shows every session live, with highlights available on Channel 4.
• US: Apple TV is the primary broadcast partner for 2026, while F1 TV remains the global streaming service.

By the numbers:

• 81: Antonelli's points lead over Russell.
• 15: Round number of the 2026 season.
• 10: Years since F1 first raced on the streets of Baku.

What's next:

Teams get two practice sessions on Thursday to fine-tune setups for Baku's mix of slow corners and long straights. Qualifying on Friday afternoon will set the grid for Saturday's grand prix, where Antonelli can take another significant step toward the championship.