How to watch F1 Baku practice: TV and stream info for Thursday's sessions

Formula 1 is back in Baku, but the usual Friday practice rhythm is gone. Both free practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix run Thursday, Sept. 24, as the entire race weekend shifts forward one day to accommodate Azerbaijan's national holiday on Sept. 27.

Why it matters:

The compressed schedule gives teams less time to adapt to Baku's unique demands. The street circuit needs a delicate compromise between low downforce for the 2.2-kilometer main straight and enough grip for the tight, twisty middle sector. To make things trickier, Turns 2, 3, and 4 have been resurfaced, meaning drivers and engineers will be chasing an unknown baseline in the limited running available.

The details:

• Germany: Sky is the exclusive broadcaster, showing both FP1 and FP2 live with pre-session coverage from 15 minutes before each start. Streams are available via Sky Go and WOW, but there is no free-TV option.
• Austria: ServusTV will air both sessions free-to-air, with a live stream on ServusTV On. Andrea Schlager and Christian Klien are on-site, while Andreas Gröbl and Mathias Lauda provide commentary.
• Switzerland: SRF is sitting out practice. Its live coverage from Baku begins only with qualifying.
• Track focus: The Baku City Circuit's mix of long straights and tight corners makes setup a high-wire act. The new asphalt in Turns 2-4 adds another layer of uncertainty, so teams will treat these two hours of running as critical data-gathering time.

What's next:

With the weekend moved up, the usual Friday practice slot is gone. Once FP2 ends, the focus shifts quickly to qualifying, which also comes a day earlier than normal. For fans, Thursday's sessions are the opening act — but for teams, they're the only chance to get the setup right before the fight for pole.