F1 news: 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend schedule and race predictions

Formula 1 heads to the Baku City Circuit this weekend for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the championship battle entering the first round of a triple-header.

Kimi Antonelli arrives in Azerbaijan with an 81-point lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship after consecutive victories in Italy and Madrid.

McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are all expected to fight for victory, while Isack Hadjar will return to action for Red Bull after missing the last three races with a wrist injury.

The Baku weekend will also follow an unusual schedule, with practice taking place on Thursday, qualifying on Friday and the Grand Prix on Saturday due to Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer Juliette White provides everything you need to know ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, including the weekend schedule and our predictions for the podium.

A unique street-circuit challenge

The Baku City Circuit combines long straights with tight corners, creating one of the most distinctive challenges on the F1 calendar.

Its 1.4-mile main straight is the longest in F1, with drivers exceeding 200mph and multiple overtaking opportunities.

The track then winds through Baku's historic old city, with the narrow Turns Eight and Nine section measuring just 7.6 metres wide.

Warm and dry conditions are expected throughout the weekend, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s.

Race preview

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has become one of the most unpredictable races on the Formula 1 calendar since Baku joined the schedule in 2016.

Mercedes arrive in Baku with plenty of confidence after Antonelli claimed consecutive victories at Monza and Madrid.

However, McLaren have also found strong form in recent races, with Lando Norris taking three pole positions and two victories across the last four rounds.

The team will bring further upgrades to the MCL40 this weekend, while its rotating H-Wing will return after being absent in Madrid.

McLaren expect Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull to provide competition at the front, with all four teams considered capable of fighting for victory.

Baku will also mark the return of Hadjar, who has recovered from the wrist injury that forced him to miss the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix.

The Red Bull driver will return to the cockpit on Thursday, with Liam Lawson moving back to Racing Bulls after deputising for Hadjar during the previous three races.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: F1 2027 calendar: Shock Monaco Sprint race, Portugal’s return, 10 Sprints, and more

Drivers to look out for

With four teams expected to compete for victory, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix could produce another closely contested race.

Here are some of the names we could expect to see on the podium this weekend.

1 – Lando Norris (McLaren)

Norris heads to Azerbaijan with plenty of momentum after taking three pole positions across the last four races.

The McLaren driver has also claimed two victories during that period and was only denied another win in Madrid after a poorly timed Virtual Safety Car pit stop.

McLaren’s latest upgrades could provide Norris with another boost, particularly around a circuit where straight-line performance is crucial.

The return of the team’s H-Wing could also improve the MCL40’s performance along Baku’s long main straight, potentially giving Norris another advantage in the battle for victory.

Norris should therefore remain firmly in contention for victory, with another podium finish our prediction.

2 – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

Antonelli arrives in Baku with a sizable advantage at the top of the championship after winning the last two races.

The Mercedes driver has established himself as the driver to beat in the 2026 title race and will be looking to extend his lead during the first race of the triple-header.

Baku's long straights could also suit Mercedes, with engine performance and energy deployment expected to play an important role.

Antonelli finished fourth in last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix and will be hoping to go one better this time around.

With Mercedes continuing to show strong race pace, Antonelli is most likely to grab a podium in Baku.

3 – George Russell (Mercedes)

George Russell is another driver who should be firmly in contention in Baku.

Mercedes’ pace at Monza and Madrid suggests the team should arrive in Azerbaijan with a competitive package, although the unique characteristics of the street circuit could alter the pecking order.

Russell has also remained a consistent presence near the front throughout the season, making him a strong candidate to challenge for another podium finish in Azerbaijan, should Antonelli or the leading McLaren drivers encounter problems.

4 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Charles Leclerc is another driver worth watching around the streets of Baku.

Ferrari have shown flashes of strong pace throughout the 2026 season, while their straight-line performance could prove valuable on Baku’s long main straight.

The Monegasque driver also has a strong record at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, making him a potential threat if Ferrari can find the right balance between low-speed performance and straight-line speed.

A podium could be within reach for Leclerc, particularly if the race produces the incidents and strategic changes that have become synonymous with Baku.

5 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Verstappen completes our predicted podium after Red Bull showed signs of closing the gap to the front-running teams.

The Dutchman has yet to win a race in 2026 but remains one of the drivers capable of taking advantage of Baku's unpredictable nature.

The long main straight could suit the Red Bull, while Verstappen's experience could prove valuable around the narrow sections of the circuit.

With Red Bull expected to be part of the four-way fight for victory, Verstappen is our pick for a dark house.

Weekend schedule

The weekend begins on Thursday, September 24, with FP1 scheduled for 9:30am BST and followed by FP2 at 1:00pm.

Friday will feature the final practice session at 9:30am before qualifying gets underway at 1:00pm.

The main event takes place on Saturday, September 26, with lights out scheduled for 12:00pm.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on Saturday rather than the usual Sunday slot due to Azerbaijan Remembrance Day on September 27.

READ NEXT: Spanish GP: New Madrid F1 circuit to undergo changes after ‘boring’ debut