Baku City Circuit

{{Hatnote|This article is about the racing circuit used by Formula One. For the circuit used by the FIA GT and Blancpain Sprint Series, see Baku World Challenge.}}

{{Infobox motorsport venue

| Name = Baku City Circuit

| Location = Azadliq Square, Baku, Azerbaijan

| coordinates = {{coord|40|22|21|N|49|51|12|E|type:landmark_source:kolossus-nnwiki|display=inline,title}}

| Time = UTC+04:00

| Image = 300px

| Image_caption = Grand Prix Circuit (2016–present)

| Events = Current:
Formula One
Azerbaijan Grand Prix (2017–2019, 2021–present)
European Grand Prix (2016)

| Capacity = 18,500{{cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119115|title=Baku F1 organisers close to submitting track layout to FIA|first1=Dieter|last1=Rencken|first2=Lawrence|last2=Barretto|work=autosport.com|date=22 May 2015 |access-date=17 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://abc.az/eng/news/96758.html|title=On F1 ticket sale Azerbaijan earned only 2% of racing costs in Baku center|work=abc.az|access-date=17 June 2016|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018173638/http://abc.az/|url-status=dead}}

| FIA_grade = 1

| Architect = Hermann Tilke

| Broke_ground =

| Opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2016|06|17}}

| Layout1 = Grand Prix Circuit (2016–present)

| Length_mi = 3.730

| Length_km = 6.003

| Turns = 20

| Record_time = 1:43.009

| Record_driver = {{flagicon|MON}} Charles Leclerc

| Record_car = Ferrari SF90

| Record_year = 2019

| Record_class = F1

}}

The Baku City Circuit{{cite news|url=http://www.azernews.az/sports/89288.html|title=Baku City Circuit unveils logo|last=Orujova|first=Nigar|date=30 October 2015|publisher=Azernews|access-date=7 November 2015}} ({{langx|az|Bakı Şəhər Halqası}}) is a motor racing street circuit located in Baku, Azerbaijan constructed near Baku Boulevard. A lap of the circuit is {{convert|6.003|km|mi|abbr=on}}, making it the fourth-longest circuit on the Formula One calendar{{cite web|title=F1: Bernie Ecclestone confirms Azerbaijan to replace axed Korea|url=http://www.auto123.com/en/racing-news/f1-bernie-ecclestone-confirms-azerbaijan-to-replace-axed-korea?artid=167344|work=www.auto123.com|access-date=9 May 2014}} (after Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Jeddah Street Circuit and Las Vegas Strip Circuit).{{Cite web|date=18 March 2021|title=Fastest ever F1 street circuit revealed for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-fastest-ever-f1-street-circuit-revealed-for-saudi-arabian-grand.3DlnO9gJaDmaGJtpWnBLHR.html|url-status=live|access-date=18 March 2021|website=Formula1.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318093413/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-fastest-ever-f1-street-circuit-revealed-for-saudi-arabian-grand.3DlnO9gJaDmaGJtpWnBLHR.html |archive-date=2021-03-18 }} The inaugural Formula One race at the circuit was the 2016 European Grand Prix and its support events.{{cite news|url=http://www.gp2series.com/News-Room/News/2016/03_March/GP2-SeriesTM-2016-season-calendar-confirmed/|title=GP2 Series 2016 season calendar confirmed|work=gp2series.com|publisher=GP2 Motorsport Limited|date=4 March 2016|access-date=4 March 2016}} A year later, in 2017, the circuit held the inaugural Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The event is organised by Baku City Circuit Operation Company ({{langx|az|Bakı Şəhər Halqası Əməliyyat Şirkəti}}).

History

=Development=

In December 2013, Formula One President and CEO Bernie Ecclestone suggested that the race would be run in {{F1|2016}} but later said that because the Korean Grand Prix organisers were in breach of contract, it would be moved to {{F1|2015}}.{{cite web|last=Prince|first=Max|title=Korea out, Azerbaijan in for 2015 Formula 1 calendar|url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/racing-news/korea-out-azerbaijan-in-2015-f1|work=www.roadandtrack.com|date=8 May 2014 |access-date=9 May 2014}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Luke|title=Azerbaijan set to welcome Formula 1 in 2015; Korea scrapped|url=http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/08/azerbaijan-set-to-welcome-formula-1-in-2015-korea-scrapped/|work=motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com|date=8 May 2014|publisher=NBC|access-date=8 May 2014|archive-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511074848/http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/08/azerbaijan-set-to-welcome-formula-1-in-2015-korea-scrapped/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Sylt|first=Christian|title=Exclusive: Korean GP dropped to make way for race in Azerbaijan|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/exclusive-korean-gp-dropped-to-make-way-for-race-in-azerbaijan-9335087.html|work=www.independent.co.uk|date=8 May 2014 |publisher=The Independent|access-date=8 May 2014}} However, in July 2014 it was announced that the race's debut would be delayed until 2016.{{cite web|title=Formula 1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix debut delayed until 2016|url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/formula-1-azerbaijan-host-grand-prix-europe-2016-093717491--f1.html|website=uk.eurosport.yahoo.com|publisher=Reuters|access-date=25 July 2014}}

=Design=

File:Baku-F1-Street-Circuit-Openstreetmaps-rev1.png

File:Qız qalası 2013.JPG

The {{convert|6.003|km|mi|abbr=on}}, anti-clockwise layout of the circuit was designed by circuit architect Hermann Tilke.{{cite news|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/10/16459.html|title=Azerbaijan layout unveiled for Baku European Grand Prix in 2016|work=formula1.com|publisher=Formula One Administration|date=8 October 2014|access-date=9 October 2014}} The circuit starts adjacent to Azadliq Square, then loops around Government House before heading west along a {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} straight to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower. Here, the track has a narrow {{convert|7.6|m|abbr=on}} uphill traversal and then circles the Old City before opening up onto a {{convert|2.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch along Neftchilar Avenue back to the start line.{{cite web |script-title=ru:Азад Рагимов рассказал о примерной трассе бакинского этапа Формулы-1 |trans-title=Azad Ragimov told about approximate track of Baku Formula 1 race |url=http://www.azerisport.com/other/20140726125426178.html |access-date=25 July 2014 |language=ru}} The circuit was projected to be the fastest street circuit in the world, with a top speed close to {{Convert|360|km/h|abbr=on}}{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123450/baku-will-be-world-fastest-street-track|title=Baku will be the world's fastest street track – Tilke|work=autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=24 March 2016|access-date=25 March 2016}} and the second-longest circuit on the current F1 calendar, behind the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.{{cite news|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/01/27/baku-slow-lap-high-top-speed-and-very-narrow/?r=53297&em=1|title=Baku: Slow lap, high top speed – and very narrow|first=Keith|last=Collantine|work=f1fanatic.co.uk|access-date=14 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/headlines/2016/3/f1-baku-worlds-fastest--street-circuit.html?r=53297&em=1|title=Baku will be 'world's fastest' street circuit|work=formula1.com|access-date=14 June 2016}} The circuit's tight layout through urban parkland shares similarities with the Montjuïc circuit which hosted the Spanish Grand Prix in the 1970s.{{Cite news|url= https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/montjuic-parks-modern-day-f1-equivalent-that-wont-suffer-the-same-fate |title= Montjuïc Park's modern-day F1 equivalent – that won't suffer the same fate |work= Motor Sport magazine |last= Elson |first= James |date= 10 June 2021 |access-date= 10 June 2021}}

The 2016 GP2 race, which was in support of the 2016 European Grand Prix, saw 12 out of 22 drivers fail to finish.{{cite web|url=http://www.gp2series.com/News-Room/News/2016/06_June/Giovinazzi-wins-dramatic-Baku-feature-race/|title=Giovinazzi wins dramatic Baku feature race – GP2 Series|work=gp2series.com|access-date=25 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gp2series.com/News-Room/News/2016/06_June/Giovinazzi-doubles-up-in-Baku-/|title=Giovinazzi doubles up in Baku – GP2 Series|work=gp2series.com|access-date=25 June 2016}} Valtteri Bottas set a new unofficial Formula 1 top speed record in qualifying for the 2016 European Grand Prix when Williams claimed to have data showing him reaching {{Convert|378|km/h|abbr=on}}, eclipsing the previous record of {{Convert|372|km/h|abbr=on}} set in 2005 by Juan Pablo Montoya for McLaren while testing at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/opinion-crazy-baku-can-be-f1-gem-despite-dull-debut-790887/|title=Opinion: "Crazy" Baku can be F1 gem despite dull debut|work=motorsport.com|date=23 June 2016 |access-date=25 June 2016}}

File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2016-1266suvenir.jpg

Pirelli found that 90% of the rear tyres used in free practice for the 2016 Grand Prix had been cut by the bolts securing kerbs to the ground not being drilled into the ground far enough,{{cite web|url=http://www.crash.net/f1/news/231367/1/kerbs-caused-cuts-to-90-per-cent-of-leftrear-tyres.html|title=Kerbs caused cuts to '90 per cent of left-rear tyres' – F1 News|first=Crash Media Group|last=Ltd.|work=crash.net|date=18 June 2016 |access-date=25 June 2016}} while Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg expressed concern over the lack of run-off areas which would be dangerous in the case of an incident such as a high speed puncture or mechanical failure. Valtteri Bottas was forced to miss the whole of Free Practice 3 when a drain cover came loose and caused significant damage to his Williams FW38.{{cite web|url=http://www.crash.net/f1/news/231445/1/bottas-brands-drain-cover-incident-unacceptable.html|title=Bottas brands drain cover incident 'unacceptable' – F1 News|first=Crash Media Group|last=Ltd.|work=crash.net|date=19 June 2016 |access-date=25 June 2016}} Similarly, the first practice session of the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was cancelled when George Russell hit a loose drain cover.{{Cite news|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=26 April 2019|title=Azerbaijan GP practice cancelled after manhole cover incident|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/48065053|access-date=26 April 2019}} Many drivers praised the circuit for the challenge offered by its mixture of long straights, slow technical sections and no margin for error due to the proximity of the walls.{{cite web|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/06/17/what-they-say-about-baku-city-circuit/|title=What they say about... Baku City Circuit · F1 Fanatic|date=17 June 2016|work=f1fanatic.co.uk|access-date=25 June 2016}} In 2021, Rosberg criticised the location of the pit lane entrance adjacent to the {{convert|350|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} main straight, calling it "one of the places I always found the most dangerous of the whole year".{{Cite news|url= https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/masi-disagrees-with-rosberg-over-dangerous-baku-f1-pit-entry/6547371/ |title= Masi disagrees with Rosberg over "dangerous" Baku F1 pit entry |last= Smith |first= Luke |work= Autosport |date=8 June 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021}} Formula One race director Michael Masi disagreed with Rosberg, saying the venue "fulfils all of the various safety requirements that the FIA has within its regulation requirements.".

In October 2022, Arif Rahimov was dismissed from the post of Executive Director of Baku City Circuit, after he had held this position for the past 7 years. Magsud Farzullayev was appointed acting executive director.{{Cite news |title=Arif Rahimov dismissed from post of Executive Director of Baku City Circuit |url=https://apa.az/en/others-type/arif-rahimov-dismissed-from-post-of-executive-director-of-baku-city-circuit-387392 |date=18 October 2022 |access-date=19 October 2022 |website=Apa.az |language=en}}File:Baku City Circuit, April 9, 2018 SkySat.jpg

Events

; Current

September: Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix, FIA Formula 2 Championship

; Former

Lap records

As of April 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Baku City Circuit are listed as:

Category	Time	Driver	Vehicle	Event
class="wikitable sortable"
colspan=5 \| Grand Prix Circuit: 6.003 km (2016–present)
Formula One	1:43.009	{{flagicon\|MON}} Charles Leclerc	Ferrari SF90	2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
FIA F2	1:53.478	{{flagicon\|FRA}} Isack Hadjar	Dallara F2 2018	2023 Baku Formula 2 round
GP2	1:54.792	{{flagicon\|ITA}} Antonio Giovinazzi	Dallara GP2/11	2016 Baku GP2 Series round