The ninth annual Azerbaijan Grand Prix occurs this Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Baku. George Russell holds the pole position for an event rescheduled to avoid conflict with Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day.
How Remembrance Day shifted the Baku schedule to Saturday
Formula 1 has modified the traditional race weekend structure because Azerbaijan observes Remembrance Day on September 27. As the report indicates, this national day of mourning required the entire event to be moved forward by one day, marking the first time the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has been held on a Saturday.
The adjusted timeline saw practice sessions occur on Thursday and qualifying on Friday. For viewers in the United States, this shift results in a 4 a.m. PT (7 a.m. ET) start time on Saturday, while the race begins at 3 p.m. local time in Baku.
George Russell's 0.837-second edge over Charles Leclerc
Mercedes driver George Russell secured the pole position after a dominant qualifying performance. According to the source, George Russell finished his qualifying run 0.837 seconds faster than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, placing the Mercedes driver in the prime position to lead the field into the first turn.
This performance sets up a high-stakes battle between Mercedes and Ferrari.. While George Russell has the track position, the history of the Baku City Circuit suggests that pole position does not always guarantee a victory, as seen in previous seasons where leaders were overtaken or crashed out.
The 20 turns of the 6.003 km Baku City Circuit
The race consists of 51 laps around the 6.003 km (3.730-mile) Baku City Circuit, a street track known for its extreme contrasts. the course features a long straight along the Caspian seafront where most overtaking occurs, followed by a sharp narrowing as the track winds through the medieval walls of Baku's old town.
The 20 turns of the Baku City Circuit are notorious for causing Safety Car periods, which often disrupt race strategies and extend the total duration of the event.. With a forecast of dry and sunny weather, the race is expected to last between 90 minutes and two hours.
RTBF Auvio and the $14.99 Apple TV viewing options
For fans in the United States, viewing options are split between a paid subscription and a technical workaround. Apple TV provides the official paid coverage for $14.99 a month, offering the full Formula 1 season and additional content like "Race in 30."
Alternatively, the report suggests that viewers can access the race for free by using a VPN to connect to a Belgian server and creating a profile on RTBF Auvio. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 remains the primary broadcaster at a cost of $14.99 per month.
Can Russell break the Verstappen and Perez win streak?
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix serevs as round 15 of the season and kicks off a grueling stretch of three consecutive race weekends. currently, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are the only drivers to have achieved two or more wins in Baku, creating a high bar for George Russell to clear.
Several questions remain regarding the outcome of this race. It is unclear if George Russell can avoid the pitfalls that affected Lando Norris, who started from pole in 2024 but failed to win. Additionally, the paddock is watching to see if Oscar Piastri can recover from the memory of his championship-leading crash in Baku last year, and whether the intense schedule of three back-to-back weekends will lead to increased driver errors.
Comments 0