A Corner-by-Corner Guide to Azerbaijan's Urban Challenge

 

As the Formula 1® season enters its final stretch, the circus descends upon one of the most unique and unpredictable circuits on the calendar, and also one of my personal favourite races, for everything, the food, the people, the city and the architecture, even before I talk about the racing.

The Baku City Circuit is not just a street circuit; it's a high-speed paradox, a place where drivers thread the needle through a medieval castle and then unleash the full might of their engines down the longest flat-out section in Formula 1®.

First hosting a Grand Prix in 2016 (as the European Grand Prix), Baku has quickly cemented its reputation for delivering unforgettable race moments.

At 6.003 km with 20 turns, it demands a unique combination of bravery, precision, and a car that can handle two completely different personalities.

Let's take a virtual lap, dissecting each of its corners to understand what makes the Baku City Circuit a true masterpiece of urban motorsport design.

Sector 1: The Overtaking Gauntlet

• Turns 1 & 2: The lap begins with a flat-out blast down the start-finish straight. The braking for Turn 1 is a heavy, high-stakes affair, a 90-degree left-hander that is the most prominent overtaking spot on the circuit. This immediately flows into Turn 2, a similar 90-degree left-hander, which is crucial for a firm exit onto the long straight that follows.

• Turns 3 & 4: A high-speed, 90-degree left-right sequence. These are taken at pace, requiring a brave turn-in and a perfectly balanced car to carry speed through before entering the most technical part of the track.

Sector 2: The Castle and The Precision Test

• Turns 5, 6, 7: A sequence of fast, flowing corners that lead into the circuit's most iconic and terrifying section. Drivers must be inch-perfect here, as any mistake will compromise their entry into the old city walls.

• Turns 8-11 (The Castle Section): This is the heart of Baku and the narrowest part of any F1 circuit, at just 7.6 meters wide. It's a tight, uphill climb that snakes around the 12th-century Old City walls. 

• There is zero room for error. Drivers must thread the needle here, often in a single file, before the track opens up again. It is a true spectacle of driver control and a place where a small mistake can instantly end your race.

• Turns 12-15: A high-speed, flowing section with a long, sweeping left-hander. This section requires precision and a good car balance to maintain momentum and carry speed through to the final sector.

Sector 3: The Longest Straight in F1®

• Turn 16: A tricky left-hander that sets the car up for the final charge. Getting a good exit here is absolutely crucial, as it leads directly onto the monster straight.
• Turn 17-20 (The Main Straight): This is it. The longest flat-out section in Formula 1®.

The Baku Challenge: High Speed, High Stakes

Baku is a perfect blend of high-speed straights and tight, technical corners. This unique combination ensures that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is always a tense, strategic, and often surprising race.

And as always, when the lights go out and the drama unfolds, here at Senate Grand Prix, there is only one winner, and that's you, the race fans!