2018 Formula 1 in Baku: expenses fall, revenues grow
By Aygul Salmanova
The third successive Formula 1 race will be staged on the streets of Azerbaijan’s capital city on the weekend of April 27-29, 2018, the first time the race will be staged in Baku at this time of year.
The expenses for the 2018 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix to be held in Baku will decrease, Nigar Arpadarai, head of marketing and communications at Baku City Circuit (BCC), said at a press conference on November 6.
“The F1 Pit Building has not been dismantled, safety barriers remain in place, many structures have already been purchased, and there is no need to re-acquire them,” she noted. “In some areas, the asphalt cover has not been removed.”
She added that marketing expenses for the 2018 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will also decrease.
“From year to year, our expenses decrease, while our revenues grow, and we will continue holding races according to this principle,” she said.
Meanwhile tickets for the 2018 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix are available to purchase online via www.bakucitycircuit.com.
Tickets
Meanwhile, ticket sales for the third edition of Azerbaijan Grand Prix, is on sale from November 6 to December 31, 2017. Both foreign and local F1 fans will be able to get a 20-percent discount on tickets during this period.
Bulent Ozerdim, head of Commercial Department at Baku City Circuit, announced some changes in sales of tickets.
“Cheap tickets, sold this year for Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, will not be offered in 2018,” said Ozerdim.
He added that 30,000 tickets will be offered for the 2018 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Noting that it is planned to have receive revenues from the upcoming race, Ozedrim said that the number of VIP zone tickets will be increased.
Work is underway on increasing the revenues from the race, he said, therefore, it is envisaged to increase the number of tickets for VIP zones.
Additionally, local residents are offered an additional 25-percent discount.
The initial discount campaign is available only for 4-day tickets (April 26-29) and for the grandstands. During the initial discount campaign, the price of 4-day tickets for local residents will vary between 160-600 manats ($94-$353), depending on grandstands. For children, this price will vary between 120-420 manats ($70-$247), respectively.
Moreover, during the campaign, it will also be possible to get one-day tickets to the walkabout zones. The price of one-day tickets for these zones is 60 manats ($35) for Friday, 100 manats ($58) for Saturday, and 150 manats ($88) for Sunday.
Starting from January 1, 2018, ticket sales will be carried out at a full price only for foreign citizens, while a 25-percent discount will be valid for local residents. Meanwhile, new ticket types will be offered from that date.
BCC’s Executive Director, Arif Rahimov, recently urged fans to make sure they don’t lose out on this discount opportunity.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of our ticket sales for the third Formula 1 race weekend in Baku this coming April. It is always important to us to offer fans something special ahead of the return of F1 to Azerbaijan and we believe that our early bird discount offering will once again act as a strong incentive for people from both home and abroad to book their weekend tickets as early as possible. Last year’s race was truly spectacular, producing a battle for the ages when our beautiful circuit finally came into its own. With this year’s race scheduled to take place in April - which can offer unpredictable weather conditions here in Baku - we are expecting the unexpected when F1 arrives back in town! We are excited to showcase our beautiful city and race track to the world once more and continue to establish this event as one of the unmissable race weekends on the F1 calendar. I would advise fans to act fast and get their tickets while they are still available!” he said.
The 2017 F1 race weekend in Baku was widely recognized as the most exciting and unpredictable race of the season so far, with the two title contenders, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, literally clashing on track in one of the most memorable incidents in the sport’s history. Ultimately, the race ended with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo unexpectedly securing the win ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and the youngest rookie to ever secure a spot on the podium, Williams’ 18-year-old Lance Stroll. It was truly an unforgettable race set against the backdrop of Azerbaijan’s stunning capital on one the most challenging circuits on the F1 calendar.
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