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Max Verstappen wins 'Max vs 100' inside 35 minutes (2:02)

ESPN

Sep 18, 2026, 12:32 PM ET

Formula 1 is heading to the streets of Baku for this year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix as we roll into the business end of the season.

Title leader Kimi Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers' championship after picking up his eighth victory of the season at the brand-new Madring last time out.

He leads his teammate George Russell by 81 points, with Lewis Hamilton now dropping back in the title race after a retirement in Spain.

So you don't miss a thing, here's everything you need to know for the 15th race of the season.

- Madring's F1 debut left everyone dissatisfied, even Spanish GP's top 3
- Max Verstappen wins Max vs 100 in style after overtaking 100 go-karters in 35 minutes
- F1 2027 calendar: Monaco GP gets sprint race, Türkiye and Portugal return to schedule

Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule

All times in BST

Thursday, September 24

Practice One: 9.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.
Practice Two: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Friday, September 25

Final Practice: 9.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.
Qualifying: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Saturday, September 26

Azerbaijan Grand Prix: 12 p.m.

How to watch

Sky Sports has exclusive F1 rights again in 2026 in the U.K., with every session live on Sky Sports F1. The sessions are also on Sky Sports Main Event.

For non-subscribers, highlights of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be on free-to-air television on Channel 4.

In the U.S., subscribers can watch every session on Apple TV, via a new F1 channel on the platform.

Why is the race on a Saturday?

For the first time in Baku's history, the F1 weekend will shift a day forwards, with the race taking place on a Saturday to avoid a clash with an Azerbaijan National Day of mourning on the Sunday.

Azerbaijan's people will dedicate their thoughts to military personnel and those who died during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Baku City Circuit

After the European leg of the calendar where circuits are more traditional, Baku is one of the standout street circuits of the season.

The first race in Baku was held in 2016 as the European Grand Prix before it was called the Azerbaijan Grand Prix a year later.

The section around Turns 8, 9 and 10 are lined by the walls of the city's charming old town including a castle and the long main straight along the Baku shoreline sees cars reach speeds in excess of 220 mph and is the best spot for overtaking.

The walls are narrow and the high-speeds make for either a race full of chaos, or none at all. There is a 57% chance of a Safety Car being deployed during the race.