News Summary
- Azerbaijan GP qualifying begins at 13:00 UK time on Friday
- The session starts at 08:00 ET in the US, 17:30 in India and 22:00 in eastern Australia
- FP3 takes place three and a half hours earlier, at 09:30 UK time
Formula 1 qualifying for the 2026 Azerbaijan GP takes place on Friday September 25, one day earlier than during a conventional race weekend.
The session begins at 13:00 UK time, after the third and final practice at 09:30. Qualifying will determine the grid for Saturday’s 51-lap race at the Baku City Circuit.
The entire weekend has been moved forward because Sunday September 27 is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The Azerbaijan GP will consequently be held on Saturday, with practice having started on Thursday.
What time does Azerbaijan GP qualifying start?
| Location | Qualifying start |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 13:00 BST — Friday |
| US Eastern Time | 08:00 ET — Friday |
| US Central Time | 07:00 CT — Friday |
| US Mountain Time | 06:00 MT — Friday |
| US Pacific Time | 05:00 PT — Friday |
| India | 17:30 IST — Friday |
| Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane | 22:00 AEST — Friday |
| Adelaide | 21:30 ACST — Friday |
| Perth | 20:00 AWST — Friday |
| New Zealand | 00:00 NZST — Saturday |
| South Africa | 14:00 SAST — Friday |
| Malaysia and Singapore | 20:00 — Friday |
| Baku | 16:00 AZT — Friday |
Qualifying is scheduled to last one hour, although red flags can extend the session. The narrow castle section and limited run-off areas make interruptions relatively common in Baku.
Full Friday F1 schedule for Azerbaijan GP
| Session | UK | US Eastern | India | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP3 | 09:30 | 04:30 | 14:00 | 18:30 |
| Qualifying | 13:00 | 08:00 | 17:30 | 22:00 |
The Azerbaijan GP race begins on Saturday at 12:00 UK time, equivalent to 07:00 ET, 16:30 in India and 21:00 in Sydney.
How to watch F1 qualifying in Baku
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch qualifying live on Sky Sports F1. US coverage is available through Apple TV, while FanCode carries Formula 1 in India.
Australian viewers can watch every session through Fox Sports, Foxtel and Kayo Sports. F1 TV Pro is also available in eligible territories, subject to regional broadcasting restrictions.
Who is fastest before Baku qualifying?
George Russell led both Thursday practice sessions and established the weekend benchmark with a 1min43.347s lap in FP2.
Kimi Antonelli completed a Mercedes one-two, 0.552s behind, while Max Verstappen finished third. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton placed fourth and fifth respectively.
Lando Norris finished sixth and admitted McLaren’s 1.484-second deficit was “a little knife in the heart”. McLaren must understand whether that margin reflected its true Baku pace before qualifying begins.
Strong winds remain another potential complication. Gusts had been forecast to intensify on Friday, which could affect braking stability, slipstream positioning and car behaviour through Baku’s exposed high-speed sections.
GRANDE PRÊMIO follows every session of the Azerbaijan GP LIVE and in REAL TIME.
F1 today: FAQ
What time does the 2026 Azerbaijan GP start?
The race starts on Saturday, September 26, at 12:00 UK time. It begins at 07:00 ET and 04:00 PT in the US, 16:30 in India and 21:00 AEST in eastern Australia.
Who starts on pole for the Azerbaijan GP?
George Russell starts from pole for Mercedes, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. Isack Hadjar qualified fourth, followed by Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
Why is the Azerbaijan GP being held on Saturday?
The race was moved to Saturday because Sunday, September 27, is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, a national day of mourning. The entire F1 weekend was brought forward by one day.
What time is F1 qualifying in Baku in the UK?
Azerbaijan GP qualifying begins at 13:00 BST on Friday September 25.
