6 Problems With The European Grand Prix In Baku

Azerbaijan’s capital Baku hosts its first Formula 1 race this weekend as the European GP returns to the series, but while it is a unique venue, there are some potential problems with it
6 Problems With The European Grand Prix In Baku

1. Clash with Le Mans

6 Problems With The European Grand Prix In Baku

This is a biggie for motorsport fans. It seems ridiculous that the F1 race in Azerbaijan was scheduled for this weekend, knowing full well it would clash with the famous Le Mans 24 Hours - one of the “big three” alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500. Something’s not quite right there…

Le Mans begins just as Baku qualifying starts and the 24 hour race ends just as the lights go out for the F1. Hardly ideal for fans eager to get their FIA World Endurance Championship and F1 fixes. It is a real shame, but fortunately there are plenty of hours of Le Mans racing to watch, in case anyone misses part of it.

The Baku City Circuit has a beautiful backdrop and brilliant setting, taking in the modern and old sites of Baku. The track itself has some fascinating sections but one thing that annoys me is the number of 90 degree corners.

It seems 70 per cent of the turns on the circuit are pretty much the same, whether they go right or left being the only difference. I get that designing a street track and turning normal roads into a challenging venue is no easy task, but these turns are hardly going to promote overtaking.

Most of them come after medium-length straights but the braking zones won’t be heavy enough to really give drivers a chance to make a move. It’s all a bit repetitive. Sebastian Vettel said after trying it out in the simulator: “It looks exciting in some parts and others a bit more straightforward….”

3. Human rights record

6 Problems With The European Grand Prix In Baku

F1 and human rights have been mentioned in the same sentence more times than you might think, the series racing in South Africa under apartheid and in Bahrain are two examples of the topics coming together.

Oil-rich Azerbaijan’s capital city of Baku may look glitzy and glamorous but the county’s human rights record has been heavily criticised (journalists critical of the government have been imprisoned) and put under intense scrutiny, particularly after securing headline events like the European Games and F1.

4. Narrow track

6 Problems With The European Grand Prix In Baku

F1 passing by the Old City walls in Baku will definitely be a spectacular and unusual sight, but the extremely narrow section between the eighth and 11th corners also throws up several concerns. Firstly, if a car crashes or breaks down there, the red flag will have to be waved because there is simply not enough room to get cars through while recovery work is underway.

The barrier there also looks particularly low and an airborne car could potentially damage the old walls. We certainly hope that doesn’t happen, but there are always these kind of worries. Because it’s F1, who knows what could happen? Even FIA race director Charlie Whiting admitted it could prove tricky when recovering cars.

5. Durable tyres

6 Problems With The European Grand Prix In Baku

Pirelli said the new ultra-soft tyre, the softest in its 2016 F1 range, would be used mainly on street tracks but for some reason it won’t make an appearance Azerbaijan. Instead the medium, soft and super-soft tyres will be used. As we saw in Monaco and Canada, the compounds have strong durability and on the low grip Baku track there is a risk that drivers will be locked into one-stop strategies. Let’s hope not, because strategy has played a crucial part in the exciting racing so far in F1 2016.

6. GP2 + Baku = chaos?

6 Problems With The European Grand Prix In Baku

We love a bit of chaos in F1 feeder championships but it all gets a bit tiring when there are constant red flags and safety cars. GP2 returns to action in Baku and a street track with some narrow sections and plenty of unknowns is a little concerning. We usually see lots of mayhem on permanent race tracks, what will we see this weekend in Azerbaijan?

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While there are some concerns over the event, it is good to see F1 visiting new venues and bringing another street track into the fray. The layout itself is interesting, there are some quick sections, the narrow complex near the Old City walls is unique to say the least and there is no denying the fact there are some stunning backdrops throughout the lap. Baku mixes old and new and is a gorgeous location for race cars speeding around city streets. Hopefully it will prove me wrong and produce a good race.

What do you make of the race? Let us know in the comments below.

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Comments

Anonymous

Its either long straight or 90 degree turn, wat.

06/16/2016 - 16:54 |
20 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It actually really is a boring track, I mean seriously if you compare it to the Ring or Spa Francorchamps…

06/16/2016 - 20:22 |
0 | 0
Antiprius

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Blame Hermann Tilke. Why that man still has a job is beyond me. But I guess you could say the same about everyone in FOM.

06/17/2016 - 21:03 |
0 | 0
-Æsh-

I think we might get a more interesting race actually. This track is like Detroit and Phoenix back in the days….. lot of 90° turn, long straights…. I think I might watch this race on TV.

06/16/2016 - 17:11 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

This may be the the first and last race in Baku

06/16/2016 - 17:38 |
0 | 0
pistonbutt

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

According to the contract there will be races in next 5 years, which can extend up to 10.

06/16/2016 - 20:32 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I am super excited for Baku, can’t wait for practices to start tomorrow. But I agree with the first point, I have watched almost all hours of Le Mans since ‘09 and this clash is extremely annoying. Though I can’t say that I’m surprised, Bernie and the other F1 management parts have never had a problem with causing inconvenience to motorsport fans so they can get their way. After Hulkenberg’s success and rumors circulating that Ricciardo was gunning for a seat in Le Mans, they made it impossible.

06/16/2016 - 17:43 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

The qualifying will be interesting to watch. I think there will be a few frustrated drivers complaining about slow times because of traffic.
When it comes to the race I do think the first couple of corners will catch drivers out. Mostly effecting the middle pack by going in too hard and smashing the cars in front or lock up and the cars behind hitting them.

06/16/2016 - 17:59 |
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Max Schröder

Can’t they place a rather big crane somewhere near the narrow bit, so they can lift “dead” cars out of that section (and maybe over a walll or two) rather than onto a flatbed and driving it off the track?

06/16/2016 - 18:42 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Human Rights record? That has NOTHING to do with F1! Sport =/= Politics. Someone must tell me why people expect F1 to go around different countries making them more like the West. Do people honestly expect F1 to change the way governments work? This is a laughable idea.

06/16/2016 - 18:50 |
0 | 0
Hanan Ur Rehman

stop being a wuss
its an interesting track

06/16/2016 - 19:22 |
2 | 2
Adrien Duval
06/16/2016 - 19:34 |
0 | 0
Renato Lumbar

Expect a lot of pile ups and VSCs..

06/16/2016 - 19:43 |
0 | 0