Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan GP on a Saturday? Start time, plus how to watch and live stream F1
Watch F1 via live stream or on TV: dates and start time for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
The Baku races takes place on Saturday this year
Grand Prix Photo
The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will look different from a typical Formula 1 weekend, with the main event taking place a day earlier than usual.
Fans will need to adjust their typical viewing plans because the race at Baku City Circuit is scheduled for September 26 at 12pm BST. The rest of the F1 weekend schedule is also shifted forward a day: practice begins on Thursday and qualifying takes place on Friday.
The timing shift is because September 27 is Azerbaijan’s Memorial Day, a national day of remembrance observed on Sunday.
Sky Sports F1 will show every session live, while alternative viewing options are available through streaming services and free-to-air highlights.
Below are the full details of live television coverage, streaming options and the times for practice, qualifying and the race.
2026 Azerbaijan GP F1 start times, streaming & TV schedule
Thursday, September 24
| Session | Session start time | Live TV coverage | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | 9.30am | 9am, Sky Sports F1 | — |
| Practice 2 | 1pm | 12.30pm, Sky Sports F1 | — |
Friday, September 25
| Session | Session start time | Live TV coverage | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 3 | 9.30am | 9.15am, Sky Sports F1 | — |
| Qualifying | 1pm | 12.30pm, Sky Sports F1 | 6pm, Channel 4 |
Saturday, September 26
| Session | Race start time | Live TV coverage | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan Grand Prix | 12pm | 10.30am, Sky Sports F1 | 5.30pm, Channel 4 |
How to watch F1: Azerbaijan GP broadcast & streaming guide
The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is breaking from the usual Friday-to-Sunday format. Practice takes place on Thursday, September 24, qualifying follows on Friday, and the Baku race will be held on Saturday, September 26.
Live TV
Sky Sports F1 will carry live coverage of every Formula 1 session from Baku, beginning with Practice 1 at 9.30am BST on Thursday and ending with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at 12pm BST on Saturday.
The race-weekend coverage is also available on Sky Sports Main Event, including the Grand Prix itself. Sky remains the UK’s live broadcaster for the Azerbaijan round.
Live stream
Sky subscribers can watch the sessions through the Sky Sports app or Sky Go, depending on their service. The app also allows viewers to select onboard camera feeds from individual drivers during the live coverage.
Viewers without a Sky subscription can use a contract-free NOW Day Membership or cancel-anytime Month Membership to stream the Azerbaijan GP weekend. The live race coverage begins at 12pm on Saturday, September 26.
For timing data without live video, the official F1 app provides live timing and session updates throughout the weekend. F1 TV Pro and Premium availability varies by market, so subscribers should check the service’s listings for their location before the event.
Highlights
Channel 4 will provide free-to-air coverage of the weekend. Qualifying highlights are scheduled for 6pm on Friday, September 25, while the Azerbaijan Grand Prix highlights package is due to air at 5.30pm on Saturday, September 26.
The Saturday race means Channel 4’s highlights will also be shown earlier than they would be for a conventional Sunday Grand Prix.