Daily News 19

Tag: Formula 1 calendar

  • Why the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Is Scheduled for a Saturday

    Why the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Is Scheduled for a Saturday

    The 2026 Formula 1 season enters its final stretch with 14 of the scheduled 23 rounds complete following last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli claimed victory in Madrid on Sunday, closing out the European leg of the calendar before the series heads to Azerbaijan and a run of Asian and American flyaway races.

    Why the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix moves to Saturday

    The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will run on Saturday, 26 September — one week later than its 2025 slot — despite an original Sunday, 27 September date on the provisional calendar. A schedule revision announced in June 2025 shifted the event forward following a request from the Azerbaijan promoter and relevant government stakeholders, according to an official Formula 1 statement at the time.

    The change accommodates Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, observed annually on 27 September. The national day of mourning honours military personnel and civilians who died during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, known domestically as The Patriotic War. The conflict erupted on 27 September 2020 in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region and lasted 44 days, ending in an Azerbaijani victory and triggering anti-government protests in Armenia. Official figures cite 2,783 Azerbaijani soldiers killed.

    With Remembrance Day falling on Sunday, 27 September 2026, the entire Grand Prix weekend moves forward by 24 hours:

    • Media day: Wednesday
    • Free Practice 1 & 2: Thursday
    • Free Practice 3 & Qualifying: Friday
    • Grand Prix (51 laps): Saturday

    How common are Saturday Formula 1 races?

    While Sunday has long been the standard race day, Formula 1 has contested grands prix on every day of the week. The very first World Championship race — the 1950 British Grand Prix at Silverstone — took place on a Saturday, and the British round remained a Saturday fixture until 1975.

    The Indianapolis 500, which counted toward the F1 championship from 1950 to 1960, traditionally ran on 30 May (moving to Monday when 30 May fell on a Sunday). After 1985, however, Saturday races vanished from the calendar until Las Vegas returned in 2023. Since its revival, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been held on Saturday each year.

    More recently, the 2024 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix also ran on Saturdays to avoid a clash with the start of Ramadan.

    George Russell, Mercedes
    Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
  • F2 Adds Extra Feature Race to Baku Schedule: Is This a Clue for F1’s Future?

    F2 Adds Extra Feature Race to Baku Schedule: Is This a Clue for F1’s Future?

    Formula 2 Announces Expanded ‘Supersized’ Baku Weekend Amid F1 Calendar Uncertainty

    The Formula 2 championship has confirmed a significantly expanded format for its upcoming round in Baku, adding an extra feature race and qualifying session just 10 days before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend begins. The late decision arrives as the conclusion of the Formula 1 season faces potential disruption due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

    Double-Header Format Confirmed for Azerbaijan

    In a statement released Monday, F2 organizers detailed a unique “supersized” race weekend structure. Unlike the standard format, the Baku event will now feature two qualifying sessions, one sprint race, and two feature races, alongside a single free practice session.

    “As Formula 2 is the only support event at the Azerbaijan Formula 1 Grand Prix, together with the promoters, we have opted for a supersized F2 race weekend, with one free practice, two qualifying sessions, one sprint race and two feature races,” F2 CEO Bruno Michel confirmed.

    “This is the only weekend where the timetable allows the additional sessions, which will increase the level of entertainment even further for the attending crowd and all our fans. The Baku City Circuit always provides us with amazing racing, so we’re very pleased to make the 12th Round of our season pretty unique.”

    Strategic Move Linked to Potential Calendar Changes

    While organizers did not explicitly state the rationale behind the expansion, the timing strongly suggests a contingency plan. The final two rounds of the 2024 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain uncertain due to the escalating geopolitical situation in the region, raising the possibility of cancellations or venue changes that would cost drivers valuable championship points.

    The FIA and Formula 1 are expected to finalize decisions on the remainder of the calendar before the end of the month. Recent discussions have included the potential cancellation of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds, with a relocated season finale at Imola in late November emerging as a possible alternative. A relocated Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, Malaysia, has already been added for early October.

    “The final two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will resume with the usual weekend format made of one free practice followed by one qualifying, a sprint race and a feature race,” F2 said in a statement.

    That standard format remains the current plan for the season finale, but the situation remains fluid. The Baku expansion effectively front-loads competition opportunities, ensuring the championship can award a full complement of points even if the Middle Eastern rounds are disrupted.

  • Alex Albon Opens Up About Burnout Amid Growing Formula 1 Demands

    Alex Albon Opens Up About Burnout Amid Growing Formula 1 Demands

    Alex Albon has revealed that the demands of Formula 1’s expanding championship calendar and relentless commercial schedule left him suffering from severe burnout during the 2025 season.

    The Williams driver spoke about the difficulty of balancing racing with off-track commitments from Monaco, days after retiring early from the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

    Albon reveals impact of F1’s commercial demands

    Appearing on The Fast And The Curious podcast, Albon said his additional responsibilities, particularly around races in the United States, had taken a significant toll on him the previous year.

    “I find myself so drained, especially when we go towards our American races because that’s clearly where we’re more in demand, whether it’s through partners or content, whatever it may be,” Albon explained when asked how he manages his commitments as an introvert in a championship that attracts more attention than ever.

    “I’m happy to be my authentic self in these situations, but at the same time, I don’t know what it is, it just drains me. And so for me to get away, prioritising myself and spending maybe one or two nights back at home and then flying off again or whatever it may be, I put much more attention on that. I felt like I got burnt out last year quite badly.”

    How Albon recovered after Dutch Grand Prix retirement

    Albon said he adopted a deliberately quiet routine to recover after his retirement at Zandvoort.

    “Yesterday was literally… What did we do? Nothing. We woke up, we got brunch with Carlos. We literally came back, did nothing. Went for dinner, came back and watched more of nothing and then went to bed early.

    “Today is kind of a little bit like that, very normal, sitting on the couch doing your house chores, cleaning up the apartment. After this we’re just going to do some food shopping.”

    Alexander Albon, Williams
    Photo by: Eric Le Galliot

    Even during race weekends, Albon said it was important to escape the “melting pot” of the Formula 1 paddock. He sometimes travels 30 minutes from the circuit to find quieter restaurants, while noting that fans have consistently respected his privacy when he has gone out for dinner.

    “It’s no fun to be stuck in a hotel room all day,” he added. “Even if I’m introverted, I still find myself needing to get out there, just going for a walk or grabbing coffee.”