AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX

Baku City Circuit

19 - 21 Sep




Banner Azerbaijan

First Grand Prix

2016

Number of Laps

51

Circuit Length

6.003 km

Race Distance

306.049 km

Lap Record

1:43.009



Baku City Circuit

History and Construction

  • It was designed by architect Hermann Tilke, a challenging design due to the need to integrate the streets of a historic city with the needs of a racing circuit.
  • The circuit was officially opened in June 2016, although the first Formula 1 race was initially called the European Grand Prix.
  • The circuit is an urban layout, meaning it uses public streets in the city of Baku. It has a permanent pit and paddock building that was built specifically for the event.
  • The section surrounding the Old City Wall, which is only 7.6 meters wide, was a particular engineering challenge.
  • The cost of building the circuit was estimated at around $150 million.

Design and Features

  • The circuit has an extremely long main straight, measuring 2.2 kilometers, which is the longest on the entire Formula 1 calendar.
  • Single seaters reach speeds of up to 360 km/h at the end of this straight, making it a key spot for overtaking.
  • The circuit unusually combines high-speed sections, such as its long straight, with 90 degree corners and hairpin bends.
  • The circuit circles iconic Baku landmarks such as Flag Square, Government House, and the Maiden Tower.
  • Due to its location on the Caspian Sea, the circuit is prone to strong gusts of wind, which affect the stability of the cars.

Key Facts

  • The official race lap record was set by Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) with a time of 1:43.009 in 2019.
  • The circuit is 6.003 kilometers long and consists of 51 laps, covering a total distance of 306.049 kilometers.
  • The first winner when it was run under the name of the European Grand Prix in 2016 was Nico Rosberg driving a Mercedes.
  • The circuit is known for producing some of the most chaotic and unpredictable races. Several drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Pérez, and Esteban Ocon, have achieved unexpected victories.
  • The circuit has hosted the European Grand Prix (2016) and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix (since 2017).