F1 Azerbaijan GP: Thursday schedule, weather forecast…

Formula 1 heads to Baku this week for an unusually early Azerbaijan GP weekend, with all of the on-track action shifted forward by a day.

Free practice begins on Thursday, qualifying takes place on Friday and the grand prix itself will be held on Saturday. The change was requested because Azerbaijan marks Remembrance Day on Sunday, September 27.

Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku firmly in control of the championship after winning the last two races. The Mercedes driver holds an 81-point advantage over team-mate George Russell with Azerbaijan hosting round 15 of the 2026 season.

This year also marks 10 years since Formula 1 first raced on the streets of Baku. The circuit joined the calendar as the European Grand Prix in 2016 before becoming the Azerbaijan GP the following year, and its combination of tight street sections and a very long main straight should once again put energy deployment high on the agenda.

Thursday brings free practice 1 followed by free practice 2 later in the afternoon. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the opening day of the Azerbaijan GP.

How can I watch the F1 Azerbaijan GP?

Broadcast coverage of Formula 1 varies by region. For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports continues as the championship’s exclusive broadcaster, showing every session live throughout the 2026 season. F1 coverage can also be streamed via Sky Go or NOW, with highlights available free-to-air on Channel 4.

In the United States, Apple TV is the primary broadcast partner for the 2026 season, with all sessions available on the platform following a multi-year deal. F1 TV remains the series’ global subscription streaming service.

Motorsport.com will provide live coverage and updates throughout the Azerbaijan GP weekend.

F1 Azerbaijan GP Thursday schedule

Times local to Baku:

Thursday, September 24 — free practice 1 — 12:30pm AZT

Thursday, September 24 — free practice 2 — 4:00pm AZT

For UK viewers:

Thursday, September 24 — free practice 1 — 9:30am BST

Thursday, September 24 — free practice 2 — 1:00pm BST

For US Eastern Time viewers:

Thursday, September 24 — free practice 1 — 4:30am ET

Thursday, September 24 — free practice 2 — 8:00am ET

F1 Azerbaijan GP full weekend schedule

All times local to Baku:

Thursday, September 24 — free practice 1 — 12:30pm AZT
Thursday, September 24 — free practice 2 — 4:00pm AZT
Friday, September 25 — free practice 3 — 12:30pm AZT
Friday, September 25 — qualifying — 4:00pm AZT
Saturday, September 26 — 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix — 3:00pm AZT

Azerbaijan GP Thursday weather forecast

Thursday is expected to be mild and mostly sunny to partly cloudy in Baku, with temperatures between roughly 22C and 25C.

Rain is unlikely, which should give teams stable conditions for the opening two practice sessions. Wind could be a bigger factor, with breezes coming in from the Caspian Sea and potentially becoming more noticeable between the buildings through Baku’s narrower sections.

Friday is expected to remain dry and sunny for final practice and qualifying, although stronger winds could make conditions more difficult.

Saturday is currently forecast to be clear for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with temperatures around 24C at the start of the race.

Azerbaijan GP track facts

Circuit: Baku City Circuit
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
Event: Azerbaijan GP
Circuit type: street circuit
Thursday sessions: free practice 1 and free practice 2
Friday sessions: free practice 3 and qualifying
Race: Saturday, September 26

Baku combines narrow street sections with a long run to the start-finish line, putting a premium on confidence under braking, straightline performance and energy management.

2026 Formula 1 driver and team roster

Team	Driver	Driver
McLaren	Lando Norris	Oscar Piastri
Mercedes	George Russell	Kimi Antonelli
Red Bull Racing	Max Verstappen	Isack Hadjar
Ferrari	Lewis Hamilton	Charles Leclerc
Williams	Carlos Sainz	Alex Albon
Racing Bulls	Liam Lawson	Arvid Lindblad
Aston Martin	Fernando Alonso	Lance Stroll
Haas F1 Team	Oliver Bearman	Esteban Ocon
Audi	Nico Hulkenberg	Gabriel Bortoleto
Alpine	Pierre Gasly	Franco Colapinto
Cadillac F1 Team	Valtteri Bottas	Sergio Perez