F1 news: Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday instead of Sunday?
This weekend will mark the 10th edition of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, things will be a little different this weekend, writes Sports News Blitz’s Elliot Desage.
Formula 1 fans might be a bit confused this weekend when they realise that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is taking place on a Saturday instead of the usual Sunday.
The race in Baku will be held on Saturday, September 26, with qualifying taking place on Friday. This is unusual for Formula 1, as most Grand Prix races are held on Sunday afternoons.
So, why has the Azerbaijan Grand Prix been moved?
The main reason is a national day in Azerbaijan called Remembrance Day, which takes place on September 27.
The day remembers Azerbaijani military personnel who died during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia.
Because the Grand Prix would normally have taken place on Sunday, September 27, Formula 1 agreed to move the whole weekend forward by one day so that the race does not take place on the same day as Remembrance Day.
Formula 1 announced the change back in June 2025, after a request from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promoter and relevant government officials.
Rather than just moving the race, the whole weekend has been changed. This means practice starts on Thursday, with qualifying on Friday, and the race on Saturday.
For fans watching from the UK, this means the 51-lap race around the Baku City Circuit will start at 12pm BST on Saturday.
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How will the format work?
The schedule is slightly different from what F1 fans are normally used to.
On Thursday, there will be two practice sessions, giving drivers their first chance to get used to the track.
Friday will then feature the final practice session before qualifying takes place later in the afternoon.
Saturday is when things really get going. Alongside the F1 race, there will also be Formula 2 action taking place, making it a busy day at the Baku City Circuit.
It is worth pointing out that this isn't a Sprint weekend, which usually have a different schedule, but that isn't the case in Azerbaijan this year. The Grand Prix is simply being held a day earlier than usual.
Saturday F1 races are quite rare, but have happened previously, which makes this weekend a little different for both fans and the teams.
Drivers and mechanics have had to adjust to having less of the traditional Sunday race-day routine.
There is also a bit of extra history behind this year's event. The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks 10 years since F1 first raced in Baku.
The circuit originally hosted the European Grand Prix in 2016 before becoming the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 2017 onwards.
For anyone planning on watching the race, the biggest thing to remember is simple: don't turn on your TV on Sunday expecting Formula 1.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, September 26, at 12pm UK time.
While it might take some getting used to for F1 fans, it means the country can mark an important national day without the Grand Prix taking place at the same time.
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