Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Fans of Formula 1, and no doubt the teams too, closely follow preparations for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe to be held around the picturesque streets of downtown Baku this summer.

The Baku City Circuit team has made every effort, so that this June residents and guests of the capital city enjoy the sport festive, promising to be the most spectacular and memorable event of 2016.

The Grand Prix of Europe will take place on June 17-19 on a track that organizers are proud to say “will show the uniqueness of Baku and not be similar to any track available on the Formula 1 calendar”.

Baku City Circuit is the second longest F1 track on the calendar, with a length slightly over six kilometers as an anti-clockwise layout. Many describe this track as the most complex, entertaining and very curious, for both racers and spectators.

In early March, two-time Formula 1 World Champion and current McLaren-Honda driver, Fernando Alonso become the first driver to visit Baku and test the track.

Fernando had a chance to ride across the track and even drove out the very narrow and winding corners, which many name the “hallmark” of the Grand Prix of Europe.

“I feel absolutely confident in saying that Baku City Circuit is going to be the most memorable circuit on the F1 calendar this year,” he said following the visit.

Crucial changes are being made in the city to accommodate the impending race. The final stage of road works, including the laying of the upper asphalt pavement has already begun. The entire track has been designed by renowned F1 track architect Hermann Tilke.

The new track will start next to Azadliq Square, before looping around the Government House and heading west to Maiden Tower. From there the track will have a narrow uphill traversal, then circle the Old City before opening up onto a high-speed 2.2 km (1.4 mi) stretch along Neftchilar Avenue back to the start line.

Baku appears to be ready to make a smooth transition from city streets to a high-speed race track and welcome high-speed lovers.

About 30,000 tickets have already gone on sale and organizers expect that half of them will be acquired from abroad. Over a month has passed since the launch of Ticket program for the European Grand Prix by www.bakucitycircuit.com site, and one can see a strong interest of fans from Russia, Turkey, the UK, the UAE, Finland, Ukraine and Germany.

This “royal race” will please the residents of Baku for more years, as Azerbaijan has signed a contract for holding the Formula-1 European Grand Prix for 10 years.

Nigar Arpadarai, Head of Marketing and Communications at Baku City Circuit stated that the country already sees the benefits of the race.

Recently a memorandum of understanding was signed, with local hotels, which have already recorded room reservations around 70 -100 percent for the race period.

She said that the experience of other Grand Prix events shows that about 40 percent of tickets are usually purchased from abroad, which means the potential growth in the airline industry, hotel business, banking, trade and catering sectors.

“The race will also give an excellent opportunity for those who offer rental apartments for tourists. So we do not see any problems with accommodation of tourists,” Arpadarai emphasized.

The organization of the race in summer season will also allow the city guests to have a great vacation. Baku has a good climate condition, that’s why it’s a great chance to enjoy the spectacular race and concerts in the open air, as well as take the opportunity to rest on the shore of the Caspian Sea.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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