Formula 2 is set to expand its race weekend format at the Baku round in 2026 by adding an extra qualifying session and a second feature race. This adjustment will create a notably fuller schedule, with the weekend including one free practice, two qualifying sessions, one sprint race, and two feature races. The announcement came about ten days before the Baku event, highlighting an unusual and late change in the calendar.
F2 CEO Bruno Michel confirmed that the Baku weekend is the only one in the season where the timetable allows for such an expanded format. Despite this increase in activity for the Azerbaijan round, the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds remain scheduled with their usual weekend structure, which features one free practice, one qualifying session, one sprint race, and one feature race. This move appears to be a unique adjustment rather than a permanent change to the championship’s format.
The decision to bulk up the Baku weekend comes amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the end of the 2026 Formula 1® season. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have cast doubt on the status of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, which traditionally host the season finale. While no official cancellations have been announced by the FIA or Formula 1®, speculation continues about the possibility of relocating or replacing these rounds, with Imola mentioned as a potential alternative venue for the finale.
Alongside the expanded Baku schedule, the FIA and Formula 1® are expected to finalize the 2026 calendar soon. One confirmed change already includes relocating the Bahrain Grand Prix to Sepang in early October. However, the fate of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing about potential cancellations or calendar reshuffling. Formula 2’s decision to add an extra feature race at Baku could be seen as a precautionary measure to compensate for any lost races later in the season, though this link has not been officially confirmed.
All Formula 2 teams and drivers participating in the Baku, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi rounds will be affected by these schedule changes. The expanded format at Baku offers additional track time and racing opportunities, which could influence team strategies and driver development. However, the traditional weekend structure is maintained for the other rounds, preserving the established rhythm for most of the season.
This development underlines the flexibility within the Formula 2 calendar to adapt to external factors while maintaining a competitive and engaging racing programme. The extra qualifying session and feature race at Baku provide a unique challenge and an increased spectacle for fans, without altering the core format of the championship’s other events.
As the 2026 season calendar is set to be finalized, the situation around the Middle East races remains a key point of attention. Formula 2’s expanded Baku weekend reflects the championship’s readiness to adjust its schedule in response to broader uncertainties, while still confirming that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds are planned to proceed as usual for now.