September 26, 2026
Sat, Sep 26 · 3:00 PM AZT
2026 Formula 1 · Round 15
Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Schedule, Times & Results
Baku breaks the normal F1 week: practice starts Thursday, qualifying is Friday and the Grand Prix runs Saturday, September 26. The 6.003-kilometre street lap then breaks every setup compromise, squeezing through the Old City before opening into a huge waterfront tow.
Round 15
Sep 24–Sep 26, 2026
Upcoming
Standard weekend
Next session
Practice 1Thu, Sep 24 · 08:30 UTC
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Baku
Baku, Azerbaijan
Standard weekend
Three practice sessions lead into qualifying and the Grand Prix.
Temporary - Street
Local circuit time uses Asia/Baku.
Complete weekend timetable
Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Schedule
Session times are shown in your timezone. Switch to track time if you are at the circuit or following local coverage.
FP1
Practice 1
The opening practice session for first setup runs and an early look at track conditions.
StartThu, Sep 24 · 08:30 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-09-24T09:30:00Z
UpcomingOpen session →
StartThu, Sep 24 · 12:00 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-09-24T13:00:00Z
UpcomingOpen session →
StartFri, Sep 25 · 08:30 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-09-25T09:30:00Z
UpcomingOpen session →
StartFri, Sep 25 · 12:00 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-09-25T13:00:00Z
UpcomingOpen session →
StartSat, Sep 26 · 11:00 UTC
Scheduled finish2026-09-26T13:00:00Z
UpcomingOpen session →
What to Know About the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026
Castle-section centimetres lead to a three-wide Turn 1 attack
Baku winds through the narrow Icheri Sheher walls, where a misplaced wheel can block the circuit, then accelerates along the Caspian waterfront. The main straight is wide enough for cars to fan out before the 90-degree Turn 1, forcing teams to trade Old City downforce against low drag for attack and defence.
- Turn 1 is the primary braking battle after the longest full-throttle run.
- The castle section rewards placement, not overtaking; losing momentum there increases vulnerability later.
The leader can become the least protected car on the straight
A driver at the front supplies a slipstream without receiving one, so late restarts and the run to the finish can reverse normal track-position value. Close walls also keep Safety Car and red-flag risk in every strategy model, while cool tyres make the first 90-degree stops after a restart especially difficult.
- Watch who times the final-corner gap to gain a tow without reaching Turn 1 too early.
- An early pit stop can gain track position but lose heavily if a later neutralisation creates a cheaper stop.
Book race day for Saturday, not Sunday
At the promoter and government stakeholders' request, Formula 1 and the FIA moved the 2026 race forward to accommodate Azerbaijan's national day on September 27. Every F1 session shifts with it: FP1/FP2 Thursday, FP3/qualifying Friday, race Saturday. Central road closures also make the official map more useful than a normal city walking route.
- Absheron seats focus on the start, pits, finish and Turn 1 braking; Icheri Sheher focuses on the Old City sequence.
- Recheck flight and hotel dates if they were originally planned around a conventional Sunday Grand Prix.
Watch and save the Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule
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Official event name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX 2026
Plan with confidence
Official Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Information
Race times and results on this page are paired with official championship and event-organiser information. Always recheck the organiser before travelling because gates, transport and event activities can change.
Quick answers
Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 FAQ
Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday?
Formula 1 and the FIA moved the race from Sunday, September 27 to Saturday, September 26 at the request of the promoter and relevant government stakeholders, accommodating Azerbaijan's national day.
What days are practice and qualifying in Baku in 2026?
FP1 and FP2 are on Thursday, September 24. FP3 and qualifying are on Friday, September 25, followed by the 51-lap Grand Prix on Saturday.
When is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026?
The race weekend runs Sep 24–Sep 26, 2026. The Grand Prix is scheduled for Sat, Sep 26 · 3:00 PM AZT.
What time does the Azerbaijan Grand Prix start?
The race starts at Sat, Sep 26 · 3:00 PM AZT. Use the timezone controls above for US Eastern, Central, Pacific, UK or track time.
Is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix a Sprint weekend?
No. It follows the standard FP1, FP2, FP3, qualifying and race format.
Where can I find the Azerbaijan Grand Prix results?
Result links will appear beside each session after its classification is available.