The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the next stop on the Formula 1 calendar, bringing the championship back to the streets of Baku for another weekend of high-speed racing.
Known for its long straights, tight corners and narrow section around the historic old city, the Baku City Circuit is one of the most unusual tracks in Formula 1. With little room for mistakes and plenty of opportunities for overtaking, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has developed a reputation for unpredictable races.
Here is everything to know about the Baku Grand Prix 2026, including the schedule, circuit, history and key storylines to watch.
When Is the Baku Grand Prix 2026?
Unlike most F1 weekends, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, September 26.
The weekend begins on Thursday, September 24, with the first two practice sessions. Friday features final practice and qualifying, while the Grand Prix takes place on Saturday afternoon.
2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Schedule
Thursday, September 24
-
Free Practice 1 – 12:30 PM
-
Free Practice 2 – 4:00 PM
Friday, September 25
-
Free Practice 3 – 12:30 PM
-
Qualifying – 4:00 PM
Saturday, September 26
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix – 3:00 PM
All times are local Baku time. The race is scheduled for 51 laps.
Recommended read: F1 Race Format Explained
What Is the Baku City Circuit Like?
The Baku City Circuit is a 6.003-kilometre street circuit with 20 corners. It combines some of the fastest sections of the F1 calendar with extremely slow and technical corners.
One of its defining features is the huge 2.2-kilometre straight along the waterfront. Cars can reach very high speeds before braking heavily for Turn 1, creating one of the circuit’s biggest overtaking opportunities.
The track then changes dramatically as it moves through Icheri Sheher, Baku’s historic old city. The section around the medieval city walls is narrow and leaves drivers very little room for error.
That contrast makes car setup particularly difficult. Teams need enough downforce for the slow corners but also need low drag to maximise speed along the long straight.
Why Is Baku So Difficult?
Street circuits already leave little room for mistakes, but Baku adds another challenge: the drivers have to deal with completely different types of corners during the same lap.
A driver can lose time in the technical sections by carrying too little speed, but running too much downforce can leave a car vulnerable on the long straight.
The narrow castle section is another major test. With barriers close to the track, even a small mistake can result in contact or a costly retirement.
This combination of speed, heavy braking and narrow sections is one reason Baku has produced so many memorable races.
A Look Back at Baku’s F1 History
Formula 1 first raced in Baku in 2016, when the event was held as the European Grand Prix. The race became the Azerbaijan Grand Prix the following year.
Nico Rosberg won the first race in Baku in 2016, while Daniel Ricciardo took victory in the chaotic 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The circuit has since produced several unexpected results and dramatic moments. Sergio Pérez is the only driver to have won twice in Baku, while Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri have also taken victories there.
Piastri won the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, beating Charles Leclerc after starting on pole.
Why Baku Can Produce Surprises
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has become known for being difficult to predict.
The long straight can create opportunities for overtaking, while the narrow sections make qualifying extremely important. A Safety Car, red flag or incident in the wrong place can also completely change the race strategy.
The circuit’s unique layout means that a car that looks strong in one section may struggle elsewhere. Teams therefore have to find the right balance between straight-line speed and cornering performance.
What to Watch for in 2026
The championship battle adds another layer of interest to this year’s race.
Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku with a substantial championship lead after winning the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix. His Mercedes teammate George Russell remains second in the standings, while Max Verstappen and the McLaren drivers remain part of the wider championship picture.
Baku will test whether Mercedes can maintain its recent advantage on another very different circuit.
The performance of McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari will also be worth watching. Baku’s long straight and heavy braking zones can reward different strengths, meaning the competitive order could look different from what fans saw at the previous race in Madrid.
Baku’s 10th Year on the F1 Calendar
The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks 10 years since Formula 1 first raced in Baku.
The event has already been confirmed to remain on the Formula 1 calendar through 2030, extending the partnership between the sport and Azerbaijan.
Over the years, Baku has established itself as one of F1’s most distinctive venues, combining the modern waterfront with the historic streets of the old city.
With a long flat-out section, tight corners, heavy braking zones and almost no room for mistakes, Baku can reward precision while punishing even the smallest error.
With the championship battle continuing to develop, the Baku Grand Prix 2026 could provide another fascinating weekend of Formula 1 action.