Formula 1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 date, time, ticket, How to watch

Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026: Schedule, Race Preview, Circuit and How to Watch

The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 is set to take place at the spectacular Baku City Circuit on Saturday, September 26, as Formula 1 returns to the streets of Baku for another high-speed weekend.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is one of the most unpredictable events on the Formula 1 calendar, combining long straights, heavy braking zones and the narrow streets of Baku’s historic Old City. The 2026 edition is also part of a new era for Formula 1, with the championship racing under its new technical regulations and advanced sustainable fuel era.

Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Date

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place from September 24 to September 26, with the main race scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026.

The Grand Prix is Round 15 of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship calendar and will be contested over 51 laps of the Baku City Circuit.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Schedule

Session	Date	Local Time
Free Practice 1	Thursday, September 24	12:30 PM
Free Practice 2	Thursday, September 24	4:00 PM
Free Practice 3	Friday, September 25	12:30 PM
Qualifying	Friday, September 25	4:00 PM
Grand Prix	Saturday, September 26	3:00 PM

All times above are local Baku time. Baku is four hours ahead of UTC. The official Formula 1 timetable lists the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 51-lap race scheduled for 3:00 PM local time on September 26. 1

Where Is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026?

The race will be held at the Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Unlike traditional permanent circuits, Baku is a temporary street circuit that runs through the heart of the city.

The circuit is famous for its combination of extremely fast sections and tight corners around the historic Icheri Sheher area. Drivers must find the right compromise between aerodynamic downforce for the slower corners and low drag for the long main straight.

Baku City Circuit: Key Facts

Feature	Details
Circuit	Baku City Circuit
Location	Baku, Azerbaijan
Track Length	6.003 km
Race Laps	51
Race Distance	306.049 km
First Grand Prix	2016
Fastest Lap Record	1:43.009 – Charles Leclerc, 2019

According to Formula 1, the Baku circuit is 6.003 kilometres long and features 51 laps during the Grand Prix. The track first hosted Formula 1 in 2016, initially as the European Grand Prix, before becoming the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 2017. 2

Why Baku Is One of Formula 1’s Most Challenging Circuits

Baku presents a unique challenge for Formula 1 drivers and teams. The circuit features one of the longest straights on the calendar, followed by a sequence of tight and technical corners.

The main straight provides opportunities for slipstreaming and overtaking, while the narrow section around the Old City leaves very little room for error. A small mistake can result in contact with the barriers and potentially bring out a Safety Car or red flag.

Teams therefore have to make an important setup decision. More downforce can help through the slow corners, while a lower-drag configuration can provide a significant advantage on the long straights.

2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Practice: What Happened?

Mercedes made a strong impression during the opening day of running in Baku. George Russell topped both Friday sessions and set the fastest time in Free Practice 2 with a lap of 1:43.347.

Kimi Antonelli finished second in FP2, 0.552 seconds behind his Mercedes team-mate, while Max Verstappen was third. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed the top five.

The session was interrupted by a red flag after Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad made contact with the barriers in the Turn 8 section. The driver was reported to have emerged from the car unhurt.

However, practice results do not determine the final race outcome, and the teams still have qualifying and the Grand Prix itself ahead of them. 3

2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Tyres

Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds from its 2026 range for the Baku weekend: C3 Hard, C4 Medium and C5 Soft.

Each driver has access to two sets of Hard tyres, three sets of Medium tyres and eight sets of Soft tyres. Intermediate and Full Wet tyres are also available if weather conditions require them.

For a dry race, drivers must use at least two different slick compounds, adding another strategic element to the Grand Prix. 4

What to Expect From the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The Baku City Circuit has developed a reputation for producing dramatic and unpredictable Formula 1 races. The combination of high speeds, heavy braking and narrow streets can create opportunities for overtaking as well as incidents.

The long run toward Turn 1 is particularly important. Drivers can use the slipstream to gain speed before the heavy braking zone, making the opening corner one of the key overtaking opportunities of the weekend.

Meanwhile, the tight Old City section requires precision and patience. Finding the correct balance between straight-line speed and cornering performance could be crucial throughout the race.

How to Watch Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026

Fans around the world can watch the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix through their local Formula 1 broadcast partners and official streaming services, depending on their country or region.

The official Formula 1 website provides broadcast information for different territories, while F1 TV may also be available in selected markets.

2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Race Distance

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will consist of 51 laps around the 6.003-kilometre Baku City Circuit, giving the race a total scheduled distance of approximately 306.049 kilometres.

With the possibility of Safety Car periods, tyre strategy and incidents around the street circuit, the actual race duration can vary considerably.