Posted on 8th October 2014
Yesterday afternoon, the new Baku European Grand Prix street circuit has been unveiled to the media and the layout will take in views of the seaside promenade and the city centre.
Bernie Ecclestone confirmed back in July that Azerbaijan will join the calendar in 2016 and the Formula 1 ringmaster and renowned track architect Herman Tilke were among those who attended a ceremony in Baku on yesterday afternoon.
At the official opening ceremony yesterday, Formula One Commerical rights holder Bernie Ecclestone stated the following on welcoming the Baku European Grand Prix to the calendar:-
'Azerbaijan is the latest addition to the Formula One calendar and I am pleased to see they have designed an innovative new street circuit that will definitely help to create a world class event when we race there in 2016'
It is clear that Ecclestone believes that Azerbaijan and their circuit will help them establish themselves into Formula One and you can be sure that he will do whatever he can do to help the country put on a great event at their first Grand Prix at their debut in the sport in 2016. And there is no question that Ecclestone is pleased with the progress they have made so far.
Track designer Tilke has had a hand in just about every new circuit that has joined F1 over the past few years and the Baku track will be no different. At the opening ceremony yesterday, Tilke stated the following about the Baku European Grand Prix being on the Formula One calendar in 2016:-
'I am absolutely thrilled about the Baku European Grand Prix project and delighted we can now unveil the track design. We have created a challenging street circuit, in terms of engineering and design, and one that thrives on Baku’s very attractive urban atmosphere and its great combination of history and 21st century style. The historic city centre, the beautiful seaside promenade and the impressive government house all combine to provide the perfect backdrop for a spectacular new track.
'Obviously street circuits present a number of challenges, in terms of circuit design, but we have been able to incorporate some unique features that will provide the teams and fans with fascinating racing. For example, there will be an extremely narrow uphill section at the old town wall that will reward pinpoint accuracy and courage, and we have an acceleration section of almost 2.2kms along the promenade which will see the cars running flat out at very high top speeds – something that will create an incredible spectacle for the race fans on track and the viewers at home.'
Once again, it appears that Tilke has absorbed all the culture that Azerbaijan and Baku have and tried to incorporate that into the circuit layout that was revealed yesterday to the world's media. For me, it looks like it will be a very beautiful landscape that the drivers will be racing around that shows off the best the country has to offer and will offer its own personality to the Formula One calendar in two years time.
But as Tilke points out, designing a street circuit provides a lot of challenges for a track designer and in the example he used during his interview, it is clear that he has tried to achieve this in the most unique and challenging way that he felt was best to give a challenge to the drivers racing there and make it also visually enticing for the viewers who will be watching the Grand Prix on television too.
Azerbaijan’s minister of youth and sport Azad Rahimov added the following at the opening ceremony yesterday:-
'This is a very exciting milestone for everybody involved in the Baku European Grand Prix and I would like to thank Mr Ecclestone for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to come and help us unveil the newest F1 circuit to join the world's most exciting sport.
'We have been working very closely on the circuit layout with Hermann Tilke and his team since early 2013. Our brief to Tilke Engineering was simple – create a circuit that is unique, one that will help the Grand Prix in Baku quickly establish itself as one of the most exciting, thrilling venues on the F1 calendar, and one that the fans and teams alike are excited about. Most importantly, we wanted a track that would showcase the best of Baku, our capital city, and I am delighted that the circuit the F1 teams will race on in 2016 has achieved exactly that aim.
'We know there will be challenges, but with the support of Mr Ecclestone, Tilke Engineering and everyone involved in helping to create F1’s newest Grand Prix, we know we will deliver a spectacular event in 2016 that will add to Azerbaraijan’s well-earned reputation as a modern European country that is the perfect venue for the planet’s highest profile sports and entertainment events.'
From what the minister of youth and sport has stated in his interview yesterday, it is clear that it is a fantastic achievement for the country to be on the right track for their Grand Prix debut in 2016. It is clear that the three years of planning and organising with Tilke has helped them and they feel their aims and objectives have been met with the layout of the circuit and are happy with it as well.
But Rahimov is also realistic about how things can change and also develop too. There is no denying that it is great that they are heading in the right direction but he knows that there could and will be challenges along the way. And it is to be expected with any new circuit hosting a Grand Prix. But he is confident that with the help of Ecclestone that they will be able to get through any that come their way and have his support too.
But the most important thing is that Rahimov is confident that when they make their debut with the Baku European Grand Prix in 2016, they will succeed and highlight just why Azerbaijan was selected by Ecclestone to host a Grand Prix and also put their country on the map in the process. At the moment, all we can do is see how they progress and what happens when the country makes his debut in 2016. But it is clear that Azerbaijan is on the right path to being a success in two years time when Formula One welcomes it to the calendar officially.
