Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Less than three months left for the second successive Grand Prix of Azerbaijan Formula 1 to be held in Baku.

Active work has been started in the capital to prepare for the race weekend, June 23-25, since a new season of "royal races" has already started in Melbourne.

Preparatory work for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan is underway, BCC Head of Marketing and Communications Department Nigar Arpadarai said in her exclusive interview with Azertac.

“From today, the installation of the Absheron, the Boulevard and the Caspian stands has started," she said, noting that the construction work is currently being carried out at full speed at the pit building.

"The safety barriers are also being installed in the streets which covers the Baku City Circuit. The installation of safety barriers and other stands is due to be completed next month," she added.

The last year’s race confirmed the newest street circuit in F1 as the fastest of its kind, with a new F1 street circuit speed record set by Valtteri Bottas (recording an official speed of 366kph along the circuit’s main straight, later unofficially recorded as reaching an astonishing 378kph) while it also delivered the joint-fastest pit stop of all time by the Williams Martini Racing team (on Felipe Massa’s car), matching the existing Red Bull record of 1.92 seconds, previously set at the U.S. Grand Prix in 2013.

Unlike 2016, this year between June 23 and 25, the country joins the race with a different name, as Formula 1 Grand Prix in Baku was renamed to the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan.

A variety of ticket options are on offer for the 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while the 4-day tickets include grandstand access to not only the three days of racing as well as all accompanying entertainment offerings but also to a special Pit Lane Walk on June 22.

Baku City Circuit will surprise all guests with interesting series of concerts. Last year, biggest stars in world music such as Chris Brown, Enrique Iglesias and Pharrell Williams were the headline musical acts throughout the weekend of the 2016 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe.

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

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