This weekend marks the 10th edition of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, the race weekend will look different this year, writes Sports News Blitz’s Elliot Desage.
Formula 1 fans may be surprised to see the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday instead of Sunday.
The race in Baku will take place on Saturday, September 26. Qualifying will happen on Friday.
Most Formula 1 races take place on Sunday afternoons. So, why has the Azerbaijan Grand Prix moved?
So, why has the Azerbaijan Grand Prix been moved?
The main reason is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The country observes the national day on September 27.
Remembrance Day honours Azerbaijani military personnel who died during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia.
The Grand Prix would normally have taken place on Sunday, September 27. Formula 1 therefore agreed to move the race forward by one day.
The decision means the Grand Prix will not clash with Remembrance Day.
Formula 1 announced the schedule change in June 2025. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix promoter and relevant government officials requested the change.
F1 did not move the race alone. Instead, the entire weekend moved forward by one day.
Practice will start on Thursday. Qualifying will then take place on Friday. The main race follows on Saturday.
For fans watching from the UK, the 51-lap race around the Baku City Circuit starts at 12pm BST on Saturday.
How will the format work?
The schedule will differ from the usual F1 format.
Thursday will feature two practice sessions. Drivers will use them to learn the Baku City Circuit and prepare their cars.
Friday will begin with the final practice session. Qualifying will follow later in the afternoon.
Saturday will then host the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Formula 2 will also have action at the Baku City Circuit.
This is not a Sprint weekend. Azerbaijan simply has a Saturday race because of the national day on September 27.
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