Home to the first 'sprint shootout' in 2023
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, situated in Baku, holds a prestigious place in the Formula 1 calendar due to its unique blend of high-speed straights and technical sections, providing a thrilling challenge for drivers and fans. The Baku City Circuit, a 6.003 km track, winds through the city's historic areas and alongside the Caspian Sea, offering a mix of modern racing within a rich historical setting. Although no Azerbaijani drivers are in F1, the race has seen a diverse set of winners, including Nico Rosberg, Daniel Ricciardo, and Lewis Hamilton. The 2023 event was dominated by Red Bull Racing, with Sergio Pérez taking the top spot. As the 2024 race approaches, fans anticipate another exciting spectacle filled with speed, skill, and unpredictability, emblematic of the thrilling and diverse experiences Formula 1 continues to offer.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held in the capital city of Baku, is a significant event in the Formula 1 calendar. This race, one of the seven street circuits in the 2023 F1 calendar, is known for its long, high-speed straights and challenging technical sections. The circuit first hosted the European Grand Prix in 2016, and since 2017, it has been hosting the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a unique blend of modern racing and rich history, with the circuit winding through Baku's 12th-century walled old city. The event has quickly gained popularity among drivers and fans alike for its high-speed straights, technical sections, and unique challenges it presents.
The Baku City Circuit is a 6.003 km track located right in the heart of Baku, close to the main promenade on the Caspian Sea. The circuit has three distinct sections: a series of short straights and 90° turns in the city center, a challenging section around the old city's perimeter, and a two-kilometer straight down Baku Boulevard.
The track runs along the seafront before turning inland around the Government House of Baku, making its way around Baku’s 12th-century walled old city and returning to the home straight. The circuit includes a very narrow section next to the old city walls, where cars squeeze through a gap of less than eight meters, making it a thrilling spectacle.
Although the precise dates for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2024 haven't been confirmed, it's typically held between April and June. During this period, Azerbaijan experiences mild to warm weather, perfect for an exciting race weekend. Temperatures typically range from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius (60 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). However, the street circuit in Baku, where the race is hosted, is well-known for its gusty winds due to its proximity to the Caspian Sea. These winds can cause unpredictability, adding another level of challenge for drivers navigating the high-speed straights and tight corners of the track.
The current weather in Baku:
The lap record at the Baku City Circuit is held by Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, 2019) with a time of 1:43.009.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has seen its fair share of memorable moments. The inaugural race in 2016, then known as the European Grand Prix, was won by Nico Rosberg. The 2017 race was arguably the best race of the season, featuring several safety car periods, infamous crashes, and a fine win by Daniel Ricciardo. The 2021 race was marked by Max Verstappen's crash due to a tire failure, leading to a red flag period and a five-lap dash to the finish line, which was won by Sergio Perez.
The seven F1 races at Baku have produced six different winners. Nico Rosberg won the 2016 European Grand Prix, with Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and Max Verstappen all picking up single wins in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Sergio Perez is the only driver to have won the Baku GP twice.
As of the time of writing, there are no notable F1 drivers from Azerbaijan.
The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held on the fast and challenging streets of Baku, was a race that saw Red Bull Racing continue its dominance in the season. The event was marked by a masterful drive from Sergio Pérez, who claimed his second victory of the season and the sixth of his career. The race was relatively straightforward, with no major incidents or safety cars to disrupt the flow of the race.
Sergio Pérez of Red Bull Racing emerged victorious at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, further solidifying his team's strong start to the season. Pérez's teammate, Max Verstappen, finished in second place, making it a Red Bull 1-2 finish. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari secured the third spot on the podium, marking his first podium of the season. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin continued his strong performance, finishing fourth, followed by Carlos Sainz of Ferrari in fifth and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in sixth.
The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku will be held from September 13th - September 15th, 2024.
Tickets for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix can be purchased through the official Formula 1 website or by other authorized ticket sellers. It's recommended to purchase tickets early to secure the best seats and avoid disappointment.
Azerbaijan is in the Azerbaijan Standard Time zone, which is 4 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+4). It's important to adjust your schedule accordingly to avoid missing any of the actions.
Baku, the capital city, offers a range of accommodations to suit all budgets, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels. The city also has a well-connected public transportation system, making it easy to travel to and from the circuit.
The Baku City Circuit is the fourth-longest in the F1 calendar, with cars reaching over 350 km/h on the home straight. The race distance is 51 laps, around 306km. The circuit also boasts one of the longest straights in F1, where cars can hit top speeds of around 350 km/h.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with its unique blend of high-speed straights and technical sections, offers a thrilling spectacle for both drivers and fans. The event, held in the beautiful city of Baku, has quickly become a favorite on the F1 calendar.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix continues to be a source of excitement and anticipation in the world of Formula 1. With its unique challenges and high-speed thrills, the race in Baku is a testament to the diversity and excitement that Formula 1 continues to offer.
