Formula 2 has officially announced a major change for the 12th round of the 2026 season in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Formula 1 feeder series will run what it calls a "supersized" weekend format with an additional qualifying session and a second feature race. The decision comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the 2026 F1 calendar, particularly regarding the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
F2 CEO Bruno Michel explained the reasoning behind the unique format. "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," he said. "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."
The move comes as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself adopts an unconventional format. The F1 race has been moved from Sunday to Saturday to avoid clashing with the country’s Remembrance Day on 27 September. The entire programme, including F2’s schedule, has been shifted forward by a day. The first two practice sessions will take place on Thursday, followed by final practice and qualifying on Friday, and the grand prix on Saturday.
However, uncertainty still looms over the climax of the F2 season. There is growing expectation in the F1 paddock that the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will be cancelled, with Imola set to step in to host the season finale on 6 December. Should that scenario unfold, the fate of the F2 season could hinge on the Baku round.
Currently, Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov leads the F2 standings by seven points from Ferrari young driver Rafael Camara. With the remaining races uncertain, it is mathematically impossible for Tsolov to be crowned champion on track in Baku, unless the final rounds are cancelled. If Qatar and Abu Dhabi are cancelled, the F2 title could ultimately be decided by a press release rather than on track.
F2 insists that its scheduled final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned, despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East. "We will then revert to our usual race weekend format for the final two rounds of the 2026 season, which will be held at Doha and Yas Marina," Michel confirmed. However, if cancellations occur, F2 could also race at Imola alongside F1, though it remains to be seen if this is possible in reality.
This decision highlights the dynamic nature of motorsport, where schedules can change rapidly due to various factors. For fans, the supersized format in Baku promises more intense and exciting racing. For teams and drivers, the uncertainty adds pressure ahead of a crucial season finale.
Baca Juga
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