How to follow Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the BBC

A general view shows the track and the Flame Towers during a qualifying session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

This year's race will be held on a Saturday for the first time since it was introduced to the F1 calendar in 2017

BySophie TrifonoffBBC Sport journalist

Published22 minutes ago

Round 15 of the 2026 Formula 1 season heads to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, from 24-26 September.

Last time out, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli extended his championship lead to 81 points by winning the inaugural Madring Spanish Grand Prix.

After a stunning qualifying lap landed him pole position, McLaren's Lando Norris was unable to hold on to the lead because of losing out during a virtual safety car period. He managed to recover to third.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen came in second after having to give up position to Lewis Hamilton early in the race, which benefitted Antonelli.

Lights out for Sunday's 51-lap race will be at 12:00 BST.

Session start times and BBC coverage

Commentary of the race will be available across BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

You can also listen by asking most smart speakers to "play 5 Live".

Make sure to listen to every episode of the Chequered Flag podcast. For the first time this year, the post-race show for every grand prix is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube., external

All times BST

Thursday, 24 September

First practice: 09:30-10:30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Second practice: 13:00-14:00 (BBC Sports Extra 2 and via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Friday, 25 September

Third practice: 09:30-10:30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Qualifying: 13:00-14:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Saturday, 26 September

Race: 12:00 with build-up from 11:00 (BBC Radio 5 Live and via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

George Russell, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz on the podium after the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Max Verstappen took the top step in last year's race with George Russell taking second and Carlos Sainz securing Williams' best race result since 2021 in third

What is the Baku weather forecast?

The early weather forecast predicts it will be sunny for the entire event in Baku.

Thursday's practice sessions are expected to have highs of 27C, with qualifying on Friday predicted to reach 24C, although strong winds are forecast.

Saturday's 51-lap race, which will start at 3pm local time, is expected to be about 25C with a fresh breeze.

Why is the race on a Saturday?

This is the first time the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is being held on a Saturday.

The race took place in the first half of the year until 2024 when it was swapped with Japan and moved to September.

This year, the race weekend will clash with the Azerbaijan Remembrance Day on 27 September, a national day of mourning dedicated to the military personnel who died during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020.

The race was moved to Saturday "following a request from the Azerbaijan promoter and relevant government stakeholders", Formula 1 said.