The Baku City Circuit, situated in Baku, Azerbaijan, ranks as one of the longest tracks on the Formula One calendar at 6.003km.
The circuit made its Formula One debut with the 2016 European Grand Prix, along with its accompanying support races. In the following year, 2017, it hosted the first Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Baku City Circuit
| First Grand Prix | 2016 Azerbaijan Grand Prix |
| Number of Laps | 51 |
| Circuit Length | 6.003km |
| Race Distance | 306.049 km |
| Lap Record | 1:43.009 Charles Leclerc (2019) |
Circuit
When was the Baku City Circuit built?
The Baku City Circuit features an anti-clockwise direction track and was designed by renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke. The track starts near Azadliq Square and winds around the Government House, then stretches westwards along a 1 km straight that leads towards the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower. In this section, the circuit narrows to just 7.6 m (25 ft) wide as it climbs uphill, encircling the Old City, before it opens onto a lengthy 2.2 km (1.4 mi) straight along Neftchilar Avenue, looping back to the start/finish line.
The circuit’s configuration, characterised by its residential and urban parkland setting, bears a resemblance to the Montjuïc circuit, a former host of the Spanish Grand Prix in the 1970s. The combination of high speeds and tight, city-based layout makes it a unique and challenging venue.
When was the first Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
The Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan first hosted a Formula 1 race in 2016, initially labelled the European Grand Prix. The event marked the introduction of a new venue to the F1 calendar, showcasing the streets of Baku over a high-speed track.
Following the 2016 race, the circuit held its inaugural Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2017, which witnessed an unpredictable race weekend. The race was characterised by an unexpected outcome that shook up the usual standings of the season. Daniel Ricciardo, known for his late breaking and overtaking skills, clinched an impressive victory. He navigated to the front from a challenging starting position with Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll, driving for Williams securing second and third. Bottas’ strong finish underscored his consistency and competitiveness, while Stroll’s podium was notable as it marked a significant career achievement for the young driver and the Williams team.
The 2017 race was also memorable for the on-track clash between Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes and the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel. The incident, behind the Safety Car, saw Vettel break test Hamilton at the restart causing a collision between the two drivers and became a major talking point of the season.
Baku City Circuit lap record
The official lap record for the current F1 Grand Prix circuit layout is 1:43.009, set by Charles Leclerc during the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix driving for Ferrari.
