The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will stay on the Method 1 calendar till 2030 after the sequence signed a four-year contract extension with the Baku organisers.
The race, which is generously backed by Baku's long-standing regime, was set to host its last race of its present contract subsequent 12 months, however will now proceed to be a mainstay on the F1 calendar.
F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali stated: “There's an unbelievable power to town of Baku and since our first Grand Prix right here in 2016 Method 1 has persistently acquired a heat and enthusiastic welcome from the individuals of Azerbaijan. The circuit is exclusive, with technical sections and lengthy straights that run via the gorgeous shoreline and historic outdated city, delivering an eventful and entertaining race yearly.
“This renewal displays the robust belief and dedication between Method 1, the Azerbaijani Authorities, and the promoter, and paves the best way for an thrilling future within the nation.
“I want to thank President Ilham Aliyev and Minister Gayibov for his or her continued funding and dedication to evolving the occasion; Anar Alakbarov and the Azerbaijan Car Federation for championing Method 1 within the nation; and the group at Baku Metropolis Circuit for his or her year-round efforts in delivering an distinctive expertise for our followers, drivers, and groups.”
George Russell, Mercedes
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Method 1 through Getty Photos
The Baku avenue circuit race celebrates its tenth anniversary this 12 months, initially becoming a member of the F1 calendar because the European Grand Prix in 2016. Subsequently it ran because the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ever since – solely lacking out in 2020 on the top of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The race takes place on a 6kme avenue circuit dominated by lengthy straights and 90-degree corners, with a slender fortress part snaking round Baku's UNESCO listed outdated metropolis earlier than turning again for a flat out blast alongside the Caspian seafront.
Underlining its standing as an anomaly on the F1 calendar, former Purple Bull driver Sergio Perez is the one repeat winner for the reason that circuit joined the calendar in 2016, whereas Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has but to win the race regardless of snaring 4 consecutive pole positions.
Protecting Baku on the F1 calendar may very well be excellent news for organisers hoping to revive Istanbul Park's Turkish Grand Prix, because it opens logistical potentialities for what's at the moment an ungainly standalone weekend bridging the European season and the next spherical in Singapore.
