Formula 1 returns to Baku this week with a compressed schedule, culminating in a Saturday race at 3 p.m. local time on September 26.

All sessions move forward by a day to respect Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27, confirming the early start to the 2026 Azerbaijan GP.

Thursday opens with two practice sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. local time, setting the tone for the weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix build-up.

Qualifying follows on Friday at 4:00 p.m., after a third practice at 12:30 p.m., before the grand prix on Saturday afternoon.

Kimi Antonelli leads the championship after back-to-back wins, holding an 81-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell.

This is round 15 of the 2026 season and marks a decade since F1 first raced on Baku’s streets.

Baku’s layout blends tight, technical sections with an ultra-long straight, rewarding stability under braking and efficient deployment.

The emphasis on energy management and stopping performance is central here, as explored in the F1 tech preview.

Conditions look benign, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures between 22 and 25°C through the build-up.

Winds from the Caspian could unsettle cars in narrow sections; see the detailed Azerbaijan Grand Prix weather outlook.

Race-day conditions are forecasted to be clear, with temperatures near 24°C at lights out.

That should enable aggressive tyre warm-up and straightforward stint planning, barring safety car interventions common at street tracks.

Broadcast coverage varies by territory. In the UK, Sky Sports carries every session live, with streaming on Sky Go or NOW and highlights on Channel 4.

In the United States, Apple TV provides live access to all sessions, while F1 TV remains the global subscription option.

Front-runners include McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Mercedes pair George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with Isack Hadjar.

Ferrari fields Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, adding further depth to the competitive order at a pivotal stage of the season.

The Baku City Circuit consistently punishes mistakes and rewards low-drag efficiency without compromising braking stability.

Thursday mileage is therefore critical as teams finalise ride heights, braking balance, and energy deployment maps for the compressed weekend.

Visual Summary

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.