F1: The race is in Baku, but it’s on Saturday—how the “traditional” schedule has changed

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place this weekend. In fact, the race is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, at 1:00 p.m., and not—as with every other Formula 1 Grand Prix on the 2027 calendar—on the traditional Sunday. This exception has a very serious reason.

The event organizers formally requested that the FIA and Formula 1 move the race up to Saturday, September 26 to observe Remembrance Day, the day dedicated to commemorating Azerbaijani soldiers who fell during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War of 2020.

The FIA and F1 have given their approval, moving the entire “traditional” schedule forward by one day so that everything can be completed by Saturday. In fact, the event will begin on Wednesday with the drivers’ press conference instead of Thursday.

Here is the revised schedule: Wednesday, September 23: 11:30 a.m.: Drivers’ press conference; Thursday, September 24: 10:30 a.m.: F1 – Free Practice 1; 2:00 p.m.: F1 – Free Practice 2; Friday, September 25: 10:30 a.m.: F1 – Free Practice 3; 2:00 p.m.: F1 – Qualifying; Saturday, September 26: 1:00 p.m.: F1 – Race.