Azernews.Az

Red Bull drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen say they are both excited to try Azerbaijan's Baku City Circuit, which hosts the European Grand Prix later this month.

Azerbaijan will host its maiden F1 event from June 17-19, on a six-kilometre, 20-turn track incorporating Azadliq Square and the Old City, as part of a back-to-back with Canada.

"I'm excited to go [to Baku] because it's a new track so it's going to be a challenge for everyone, but the fact that it's a street circuit is really cool," Ricciardo commented.

"I'm pretty optimistic that the city itself will be quite good fun. I've seen some pictures of the city and it looks cool – it sort of reminds me of [Hungarian Grand Prix venue] Budapest a little bit, so let's see, I'm pretty excited to go there."

Verstappen's father, Jos, previously contested a GT event in Baku.

"My dad has raced there back in 2012, and I've watched the races online and some parts of the track are pretty similar," explained Verstappen, as he talked about his knowledge of the circuit.

"He was pretty positive about the whole city, saying it's a nice place to go, so I'm looking forward to it.

"It has such a long straight for a street circuit which will be difficult for the wing setting because on a street circuit you want lots of downforce but with such a long straight you have to find a good compromise.

"You start from zero and it's always good to discover new countries and new tracks."

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