Formula One is going to Azerbaijan! We won’t blame you if you haven’t heard about it, but here it is. Anyway, Formula One Supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, announced the European Grand Prix of 2016 will be held in Azerbaijan at the street circuit of Baku.
Also revealed is the track layout of the new Baku European Grand Prix circuit designed by the man who penned modern F1 circuits like Sepang, Shanghai and many more, Hermann Tilke. Judging by its 6km layout, it does look unimaginative as the circuit is filled with sharp 90 degree corners coupled with extremely long straights.
Despite that, Tilke mentioned this will be a challenging street circuit, in terms of engineering and design. He mentioned that there will be an extremely narrow uphill section at the old town wall that will reward pinpoint accuracy and courage. Also, there a 2.2 kilometres along the promenade which will see the cars running flat out at very high top speeds that should make racefans happy. (I wonder if this track will finally overtake Monaco as the worst F1 ‘circuit’ to drive on… – Ed.)
[Source: Formula One]
