Ninth Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Kicks Off in Baku
Baku, The Gulf Observer: The ninth edition of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix officially began today on the streets of Baku, bringing together 20 drivers from 10 teams to compete on one of the most distinctive and challenging tracks in the Formula 1 calendar.
The 6-kilometer Baku City Circuit will feature world-renowned drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc. With 20 turns, the track is among the longest in the championship. Designed by acclaimed German architect Hermann Tilke, the circuit runs counterclockwise, beginning at Freedom Square, looping around the Government House, passing through Baku’s UNESCO-listed Old City toward the Maiden Tower, and returning along Neftchilar Avenue.
The circuit’s design features dramatic contrasts, with its widest point measuring 13 meters and its narrowest sections—particularly turns 7 and 8 in the Old City—just 7.6 meters across. The 51-lap race will showcase not only the drivers’ skills but also Baku’s unique blend of historic landmarks and modern architecture, set against the backdrop of the Caspian Sea coastline.
The Grand Prix schedule begins today with Formula 1 and Formula 2 free practice and qualifying sessions. Tomorrow will feature an additional Formula 1 free practice and the Formula 2 sprint race, leading up to the main Formula 1 race on September 21. Freedom Square serves as the hub of the event, hosting the start and finish lines, team garages, pit lane, and the exclusive Paddock Club.
Since its debut in 2016, when Germany’s Nico Rosberg claimed victory in a race initially branded as the European Grand Prix, the Baku race has produced multiple champions, including Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
