Azerbaijan GP moves to Saturday as Baku opens 2026’s flyaway triple-header

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, September 26, rather than the usual Sunday, because September 27 is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The change shifts the weekend forward: the first two F1 practice sessions are scheduled for Thursday, September 24, final practice and qualifying for Friday, and the race for Saturday at noon UK time. Baku begins a flyaway triple-header, with Malaysia and Singapore next. The circuit combines a long, high-speed main straight—where cars can exceed 200mph—with a tight section through the old city, including the season’s narrowest track passage. Sky Sports reports warm, dry conditions are expected, with highs in the mid-20s. Its preview also says Kimi Antonelli leads the championship by 81 points after consecutive wins in Monza and Madrid, with eight rounds scheduled after Baku.

Race2026 Azerbaijan Grand PrixRace2026 Italian Grand PrixPersonKimi AntonelliPersonOscar Piastri

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KEY POINTS

The Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, at 12pm UK time; qualifying is Friday at 1pm UK time.
The opening two F1 practice sessions are scheduled for Thursday, September 24; final practice is Friday morning.
The Saturday date is linked to Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27.
Baku starts a triple-header that continues with Malaysia and Singapore.
The 3.7-mile street circuit features a 1.4-mile main straight and a narrow castle-section chicane; the source says drivers can exceed 200mph on the straight and the castle passage is 7.6 metres wide between barriers.

WHAT CHANGED

The weekend’s defining scheduling detail is confirmed: the Grand Prix is set for Saturday, September 26, to avoid Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day on Sunday. Practice starts Thursday and qualifying takes place Friday, making Baku the opening round of a flyaway triple-header. The preview also places the event in the title context, reporting Antonelli’s 81-point lead and two consecutive wins entering the weekend.

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WHY IT MATTERS

The unusual Saturday race changes the normal viewing and preparation rhythm, while the compressed Thursday-to-Saturday schedule leaves little time between opening practice, qualifying and the Grand Prix. Baku’s mix of high speed and close barriers makes execution especially consequential: the source highlights overtaking opportunities on the main straight alongside the narrow, demanding old-city section. The event also begins a three-race run and arrives with Antonelli holding a substantial reported championship advantage.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT

Watch how teams and drivers adapt to the Thursday start and Friday qualifying, particularly their progress from opening practice to a grid-setting session one day later. On race day, the long main straight offers slipstreaming and overtaking opportunities, while the narrow castle section and walls leave little room for mistakes. The reported warm, dry forecast and Antonelli’s 81-point lead are context to track as the weekend unfolds, not race outcomes.

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Azerbaijan GP moves to Saturday as Baku opens 2026’s flyaway triple-header

The complete story read

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