Formula 1 returns to the Baku City Circuit for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Free Practice 1 taking place on Thursday, September 24. The 6.003-kilometre street circuit hosts the 15th round of the season. Indian driver Kush Maini topped the opening F2 Practice session for ART Grand Prix, setting a 1:56.532. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship with 292 points ahead of teammate George Russell on 211. Audi unveiled a 14-part upgrade package featuring new front wing, nose, suspension, and rear wing components.

FP1 begins at 2:00 PM IST, with FP2 following at 5:30 PM IST. The race weekend schedule shifts forward, with qualifying on Friday and the Grand Prix on Saturday, September 26. After Baku, the paddock travels to Malaysia for the postponed Bahrain GP at Sepang on October 4.