Azerbaijan could host a Formula 1 Grand Prix starting in 2016

Azerbaijan has been mentioned for several weeks as a candidate to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in the coming years, and according to the country’s Minister of Youth and Sports, an agreement has even already been reached with Bernie Ecclestone to hold a European Grand Prix in the capital, Baku, starting in 2016.

« We have signed an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone and we will announce it officially at an event in Baku shortly, » Azad Rahimov stated, as quoted by the site Inside the Games.

The former Soviet republic wants to make itself known in the world and is interested in motorsport to achieve this. Baku hosted the final of the FIA GT Series Championship last year on an urban track, and the capital is also expected to host the final round of the Blancpain Sprint Championship in November of this year.

For the moment, while the holding of the F1 Grand Prix in the streets of Baku on a city circuit seems to be in the lead, the current layout does not meet F1 standards, and Azerbaijan might therefore decide to establish a permanent circuit to host Formula One.

If F1 seems well on its way to including Azerbaijan, and Baku, in its future destinations, Red Bull had already introduced the capital during a roadshow two years ago, where David Coulthard had a great time, as seen in the video below.

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