Baku ready to host the European Grand Prix

Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, announced that his government had secured a contract to host F1 in the coming years.

Published on 02/05/2014 à 13:01

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The calendar of the F1 could hold a new surprise. While plans for a Grand Prix have been mentioned or started in New Jersey, Long Beach, Thailand and even Mexico, it is Azerbaijan which is now at the top of the list of candidates! Azad Rahimov, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Caucasian country, indicated on the site insidethegames.biz that the government had won a contract to bring the European Grand Prix up to date from 2016. “We have signed a contract with Bernie Ecclestone and will soon make an official announcement for the Baku event. »

The capital of Azerbaijan would indeed be selected to offer an urban race. The government has been involved in motorsport in recent years, notably hosting the FIA GT in its city which will once again serve as the final of the Blancpain Sprint Series this season on November 1 and 2. The country is seeking to improve its image on the international scene while the regime remains heavily criticized.

The last European Grand Prix dates back to the 2012 season when Valencia was still on the F1 calendar.