Why F1's Azerbaijan GP Will Take Place on Saturday

Formula 1 will swap its familiar Sunday slot for a Saturday finish in Baku this weekend, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix scheduled for September 26 rather than September 27. The change is not a sporting experiment or a response to the packed calendar. It is a matter of respect for Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day, observed every September 27 to commemorate those who died during the 2020 war that began on that date. Azerbaijan officially designated the date as Remembrance Day in December 2020, and F1 arranged its Baku weekend around the commemoration following a request from the promoter and government stakeholders.

Why it matters:

This is more than just a one-day shift. The entire F1 timetable has been pulled forward: media duties begin on Wednesday, practice runs on Thursday, and Friday contains final practice and qualifying. The 51-lap Grand Prix takes centre stage at 3pm local time on Saturday. While Saturday racing is not unprecedented — Las Vegas has raced on Saturday night since 2023, and Bahrain and Saudi Arabia held Saturday GPs in 2024 for Ramadan — Baku's switch is driven by a very different consideration: honoring a national day of remembrance.

The details:

• The full Baku weekend moves up by one day, with the race on Saturday, September 26 at 3pm local time.
• The change was requested by Azerbaijan's promoter and government to avoid clashing with Remembrance Day on September 27.
• The title fight adds context: championship leader Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku leading Mercedes teammate George Russell by 81 points. Lewis Hamilton is 101 points behind, with Lando Norris just five points further back from the Ferrari driver.

What's next:

After Baku, there is no pause. Malaysia and Singapore follow on consecutive weekends, launching F1 into another demanding stretch of the 2026 campaign. For one weekend, though, the calendar will march to Baku's timetable — and Sunday will have to wait.