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The Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 breaks from the usual rhythm of an F1 weekend. With Azerbaijan marking Remembrance Day on Sunday 27 September, the whole Baku programme moves forward by 24 hours: practice runs on Thursday, qualifying on Friday, and lights out for the Grand Prix comes on Saturday 26 September at 15:00 local time (12pm UK). Here is the full schedule, the UK start times, the weather outlook and how to watch every session.
Why the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Is on a Saturday
The reason is simple. Sunday 27 September is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, so organisers have shifted the entire event a day earlier. That means the opening two practice sessions fall on Thursday, the grid is set on Friday, and the race takes place on Saturday.
Baku is on AZT (UTC+4), three hours ahead of the UK. That leaves the key sessions slightly earlier for British fans than they were during the European season: qualifying at 1pm and the Grand Prix at midday.
Kimi Antonelli’s 81-Point Lead Puts the Title Pressure on Baku
The championship picture raises the stakes. Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku leading the world championship by 81 points, riding the momentum of back-to-back wins at Monza and Madrid. With only eight rounds scheduled after Azerbaijan, his rivals are running out of time to mount a serious challenge.
Baku is also the opening round of a flyaway triple header that continues in Malaysia and Singapore, so a strong weekend here could set the tone for a pivotal three-race run.
The wall-lined streets offer little room for error. Oscar Piastri, the championship leader heading into last year’s race, learned that the hard way when a mistake proved costly. One slip in qualifying or on race day can undo weeks of good work.
Azerbaijan GP 2026 F1 Schedule: Local and UK Start Times
| Day | Session | Baku (AZT) | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 24 Sept | Practice One | 12:30 – 13:30 | 9:30am |
| Thursday 24 Sept | Practice Two | 16:00 – 17:00 | 1pm |
| Friday 25 Sept | Practice Three | 12:30 – 13:30 | 9:30am |
| Friday 25 Sept | Qualifying | 16:00 – 17:00 | 1pm |
| Saturday 26 Sept | Azerbaijan Grand Prix (51 laps or 120 mins) | 15:00 – 17:00 | 12pm |
The race runs over 51 laps or a maximum of 120 minutes. The national anthem ceremony takes place at 14:44 local time, and the podium ceremony is scheduled for 17:00.
Other Key F1 Timings in Baku
- Thursday: FIA F1 Car Presentation (11:00 – 12:00) and the Teams’ Press Conference (14:30 – 15:30)
- Friday: post-qualifying Press Conference (17:00 – 18:00)
- Saturday: Drivers’ Presentation (13:00 – 13:30), National Anthem (14:44 – 14:46)
Formula 2 in Baku: Expanded Three-Race Programme
FIA Formula 2 runs a bigger schedule than usual in Azerbaijan, with a Sprint Race and two Feature Races across the weekend.
| Day | Session | Baku (AZT) | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 24 Sept | Practice | 10:00 – 10:45 | 7am |
| Thursday 24 Sept | Qualifying Session 1 | 14:00 – 14:20 | 11am |
| Thursday 24 Sept | Qualifying Session 2 | 14:30 – 14:50 | 11:30am |
| Friday 25 Sept | Sprint Race (21 laps or 45 mins +1 lap) | 08:15 – 09:05 | 5:15am |
| Friday 25 Sept | Feature Race 1 (29 laps or 60 mins +1 lap) | 14:15 – 15:20 | 11:15am |
| Saturday 26 Sept | Feature Race 2 (29 laps or 60 mins +1 lap) | 11:00 – 12:05 | 8am |
How to Watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Live on Sky Sports F1
Every session from Thursday is live on Sky Sports F1 in the UK. The main broadcast windows are:
- Wednesday 23 Sept: Drivers’ Press Conference (11am), Paddock Uncut (2pm)
- Thursday 24 Sept: Practice One coverage from 9am, Team Bosses’ Press Conference (12pm), Practice Two coverage from 12:30pm, The F1 Show (2:15pm)
- Friday 25 Sept: Practice Three coverage from 9:15am, Qualifying build-up (12:30pm), Qualifying (1pm), Ted’s Qualifying Notebook (3pm)
- Saturday 26 Sept: Race build-up (10:30am), Azerbaijan Grand Prix (12pm), Chequered Flag reaction (2pm), Ted’s Notebook (3pm)
F2 coverage runs throughout the weekend on the same channel, including the Sprint from 5:10am on Friday and Feature Race 2 from 7:55am on Saturday.
Baku City Circuit: Why the Fastest Street Track Produces Chaos
The Baku City Circuit joined the calendar in 2016, racing as the European Grand Prix in its first year before taking Azerbaijan’s name from 2017. It remains one of F1’s fastest street circuits, and it rarely delivers a quiet afternoon.
Longest Straight of the 2026 F1 Season
The 1.4-mile main straight is the longest on the calendar, with cars topping 200mph. Slipstreaming is fierce, and cars can run three abreast into the heavy braking zone at Turn One. That same corner saw the infamous clash between Red Bull team-mates Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in 2018.
The Castle Section: Narrowest Point on the Calendar
The 3.7-mile lap moves from 90-degree street corners into the twisting old city. The Turn Eight-Nine “castle” chicane squeezes cars through just 7.6 metres between the barriers, the tightest stretch of the season, past Baku’s UNESCO-protected medieval quarter.
Azerbaijan GP Weather Forecast for Baku
Conditions look settled all week. Expect warm and dry weather with highs in the mid-20s °C, which should give teams a consistent picture from Thursday practice through to Saturday’s race.
Off-Track Schedule: Pit Lane Walk, Fan Forum and Concerts
Baku City Circuit has lined up a packed programme around the racing:
- Pit Lane Walk: Wednesday 23 September, 16:00 – 17:50
- F1 Fan Forum, Thursday: Racing Bulls, Audi & McLaren, Williams, and Cadillac & Aston Martin (10:30 – 11:10), plus appearances from Steve Nielsen (Alpine), Andy Cowell (Aston Martin) and Allan McNish (Audi) between 15:00 and 15:30
- F1 Fan Forum, Friday: Ferrari, Haas, Red Bull, Alpine and Mercedes (10:20 – 11:10)
- Calvin Harris: Crystal Hall, Thursday at 20:00
- Katy Perry: Crystal Hall, Friday at 20:00
All times are local and may change. Fans heading to the circuit should check the official Baku City Circuit app before travelling.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 FAQ
What time does the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 start in the UK?
The race starts at 12pm UK time (15:00 local) on Saturday 26 September.
Why is the Baku race on a Saturday?
Sunday 27 September is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, so the full weekend moves forward a day.
What time is Azerbaijan GP qualifying?
Qualifying is on Friday 25 September at 1pm UK (16:00 local).
How many laps is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
The race is scheduled for 51 laps, with a two-hour time limit.
Where can I watch the Azerbaijan GP in the UK?
Every session is live on Sky Sports F1.
What’s at Stake in Baku for the F1 Title Race
Antonelli has the points cushion, but Baku is the kind of circuit that can reshape a championship in one lap. The walls punish mistakes, the long straight rewards bravery, and a safety car can scramble the order at any moment. If his rivals are going to make a move before the Malaysia and Singapore rounds, Saturday is the time to do it. For race predictions and the latest Azerbaijan Grand Prix odds before lights out, Tips.gg has you covered.