Source:REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
[Saba Sports News] Recently, Formula 1 officially announced a contract extension for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix until the 2030 season. This year marks the ninth time Azerbaijan has hosted an F1 event since 2016; the existing three-year race contract was due to expire in 2026. The F1 website wrote: The 6-kilometer Baku City Circuit, located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, challenges drivers with its unique layout combining narrow technical corners and wide, high-speed straights. As the track winds through the Icherisheher old city, the castle section presents one of the narrowest corners on the F1 calendar, severely testing drivers’ courage and skill. The circuit debuted on the F1 calendar in 2016 under the name “European Grand Prix” and became a permanent fixture renamed the “Azerbaijan Grand Prix” from 2017 onwards. The 2024 race weekend attracted fans from over 70 countries, with global TV viewership exceeding 66 million, showing strong ratings performance. F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali stated: “Baku is a vibrant city. Since first hosting a Grand Prix in 2016, F1 has always received a warm welcome from the people of Azerbaijan. The circuit here is unique, featuring technical sections as well as long straights stretching along the stunning coastline and historic old city. This extension reflects the mutual trust and cooperation between F1, the Azerbaijani government, and the race promoter.”