Between 13 and 15 of September, Azerbaijan will be hosting its yearly Grand Prix once again for its eighth edition. Here is everything you should know about and expect from what might well be one of Formula 1’s least-known races.
Hosted for the first time in 2016 under the name “European Grand Prix”, Azerbaijan’s Formula One Grand Prix takes place at the Baku City Circuit. This 6.003-kilometre long route was designed by Hermann Tilke and is located right in the heart of Azerbaijan’s capital. Until the addition of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in 2021, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was the fastest Formula 1 street circuit, mainly because of the many long straight segments. It is also the third longest circuit on the calendar at this moment, after Spa Francorchamps (7.004 km) and Jeddah Corniche Circuit (6.174 km).
Over the course of its existence, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has signed multiple contracts with the F1-organisers. The first one dates back to April 2014, when a 5-year binding contract was concluded. That contract was extended in 2019, 2021 and once again in 2023, meaning the Baku City Circuit will be on the Formula 1-calendar until at least 2026.
However, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has been haunted by a few set-backs over the years. Not only was the 2020 race cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the race is also one of the least-attended ones on the F1-calendar. The first edition, in 2016, saw just 30,000 attendees over the course of three days. Luckily, that number has gone up over the course of the years. All grandstand seats even sold out for the 2023 edition, which might promise a bright future for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – even though tickets remain rather expensive for local fans.
A few record-breaking moments at the Baku City Circuit might also help spruce up its reputation. For example, Fernando Alonso set a new record for the longest F1 career during the 2022 edition, marking 21 years, 3 months and 8 days since his debut.
Tickets for the 2024 edition of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix are still on sale so there’s no better time for race fans to visit Baku than September. And when doing so, make sure to add a few days to your planning in order to visit Azerbaijan’s capital, a treasure trove for culture fanatics and history lovers. The undying flame of Yanar Dag, the Carpet Museum and the Gaza Pir Mosque are just a few of the sights you shouldn’t miss while visiting.
