Azerbaijan GP: Everything You Need To Know About The Iconic Baku Street Circuit

What you need to know about the Azerbaijan Grand Prix circuit.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, set to take place on April 28-30 at the Baku street circuit. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming, thrilling event.

Setting Records on the Track: Who Holds the Lap Record?

The current lap record holder is Charles Leclerc, who set an incredible time of 1:43.009 in 2019.

How Many Laps is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix consists of 51 laps, covering a total distance of 306.049 km.

History of the Baku Street Circuit

Baku was the newest street circuit to be added to the Formula 1 calendar, before the introduction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The track has quickly become a fan-favourite since its introduction, and it joins the ranks of other iconic street circuits like Monaco, Melbourne, Singapore, and soon-to-be Vegas.

Thrilling Moments on the Circuit: When Was Its First Grand Prix?

The first Grand Prix in Baku was held in 2016 as the European Grand Prix. Since then, it has become an established event and has been renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 

The 2016 European Grand Prix saw Nico Rosberg take the win in the Mercedes followed by Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari and Sergio Perez in the Force India. 

In 2017, Daniel Ricciardo won the first Azerbaijan Grand Prix with Valtteri Bottas in second in the Mercedes and Lance Stroll in third in the Williams. 

The Unique Circuit

The Baku street circuit is a unique mix of wide and open stretches and narrow, twisty sections that wind through the city's ancient and picturesque walls. The circuit's long main straight along the Baku shoreline is a slipstreaming hotspot, whilst the majority of the track is set on winding streets through the old town.

There are two DRS zones in sectors one and three, twelve corners to the left and eight to the right. 

The Baku street circuit starts adjacent to Azadliq Square and offers an exciting spectacle right from the beginning. Drivers must navigate their way through the bustling city streets, with the roar of the engines echoing off the buildings.

After leaving Azadliq Square, the circuit loops around Government House, providing a challenging section for the drivers. This technical section requires precision driving, as the cars navigate their way around the tight corners.

Get ready for a high-speed thrill as the circuit heads west along a 1 km (0.62 mi) straight to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower. Drivers will push their cars to the limit as they speed down this straightaway, reaching incredible speeds before the next challenging section.

The circuit offers a test of skill as drivers face a narrow 7.6 m (25 ft) uphill traversal, pushing the limits of their cars and their own driving abilities.

After the challenging uphill traversal, the circuit circles the Old City, providing a breathtaking view of the city's ancient walls and historic landmarks. This section requires precision driving, as the cars navigate their way around the narrow streets.

The final section of the circuit opens up onto a 2.2 km (1.4 mi) stretch along Neftchilar Avenue, leading drivers back to the start line. This high-speed stretch provides a fast finish to the circuit, with drivers pushing their cars to the limit one last time.

Best Vantage Points

For the ultimate viewing experience, the principal Absheron grandstand at the end of the main straight is a great option. Here, you'll see the cars braking from around 350 km/h into the 90-degree Turn 1, and you'll likely witness the majority of the overtaking too. 

The Icheri Sheher grandstand provides another interesting vantage point as you watch the cars navigate through the city gate section and power on down to the super-fast section from Turn 13-15.