Baku City Circuit

Lots of concrete barriers and catch fences on tight circuit. Looks very challenging; hope no one gets hurt. Hope they add a lot more of the advanced walls.

 

It gets so incredibly tight next to that tower. Don't think 2 cars will fit.

I hope they tested that tower for strength...

 

No doubt I'll get flamed here, but I'm gonna say I quite like it! It's another temporary setup obviously, but as far as such things go, I think it looks pretty good. And pretty quick too.

I'll keep an open mind on it at least. Never visited, but the city 'backdrop' looks pretty cool too.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Just as well - It'll be off the calender by 2018!

 

I've got the feeling that the track mostly get's hated because of it's location. People hear Baku or Azerbaijan and presumably all they're thinking of is that it'll be held in a James Bond's villain's back yard. That's the impression I get from many comments, anyhow.

Personally I love how it goes through the streets. Wider than Monaco, plenty of residential area. Passed a damn castle.

Looking forward to it.

 

I realize the importance of the almighty $$$ in racing which dictates where F1 events are held, but it appears to me that many of the places along this so called "race course" pose major threats to the safety of the drivers. Hopefully this will be a race with only a lot of yellow flag laps and no injuries or worse.

It would be great if at least some of the drivers expressed concerns about the safety of this track but I am realistic and recognize that is not likely to happen. The days of strikes are unfortunately over.....at least for now.

 

Looks very quick with no room for error.

Hope no one gets hurt or crashes.

 

Technically the track has to pass the FIA grade 1 safety cert for F1 to race there. To my knowledge, that is the highest cert for a track. For instance, Watkins Glen got a grade 2 for the upcoming Indy race. Safe enough for Indy, but not F1. So presumably, Baku will be safe-enough come race time.

Here is an older list:

FIA release updated list of circuit grading - FormulaSpy

 

Verstappen will crash in that 8-11 complex.

 

Property safety fences will be erected. Same as in Monaco. Charlie won't allow an unsafe track!

 

I love it!

Brings back the track to the people. So much better than "just another" Tilke layout in a remote area where, beside F1 once a year, nobody will ever come.

This track offers the opposite. And due to the much higher speeds, it's will be like Monaco on steroids.

 

Hopefully it doesn't rain...!

I liked the backdrop a lot, very picturesque. I could see a few artists making a living
with some of the buildings and the cars flying by.

Very fast, I like it.

 

Quick google tells me that they can hold testing for grade 1, but not a race.

 

+1

There are many 'grade 1' circuits - I drove an F1 'test' at Lucy Lervis (sp?) in France years back - Was Charlie 'grade 1' approved for running - lots of run off and little to hit, but no grandstands or other 'infrastructure' which is where I believe the other part of the 'grade' comes in.

Cheers,
Ian

 

The track looks a bit bumpy. Is that perhaps due the car not being set up for a city circuit?

 

Interesting!..... I was thinking just the opposite! I thought it looked pretty smooth!

The jockey wasn't pushing on by any means, which meant some 'lumpiness', but the surface looked new & OK to me.

Passes some really interesting looking buildings too; I really like it.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I hope you are right. There is certainly no lack of experience around the globe to be able to give the asphalt a suitable finish.

 

Very true.

But actually doing it is tough..... I was once involved in resurfacing an R/C car track. Obviously needed to be *smooth*..... What a PITA!

Cheers,
Ian

 

What are those large cages/boxes on the left after turn 2?

 

Do you think Mr. Bullion will show up? lol

 

Sooo the race goes as follows.

Drag Race
90 Degree turn
Drag Race
90 Degree turn
Drag Race
90 Degree turn
Drag Race
S
Drag Race
slight bend
slight bend
Drag Race
90 degree turn
Drag Race
S
light bend
light bend
Drag Race
Finish

 

+1 Not sure it will be all that exciting though there's about 18 places to use the DRS safely.

 

A bit like Detroit then ...