Nestling on the Caspian Sea, the Baku City Circuit is set to become the fastest street track in Formula One with the cars expected to reach top speeds of 340 kph (210 mph) on the straights.
Nestling on the Caspian Sea, the Baku City Circuit is set to become the fastest street track in Formula One with the cars expected to reach top speeds of 340 kph (210 mph) on the straights.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images,
The first racer to test the Baku layout was hometown hero Gulhuseyn Abdullayev, who drove a GP3 car, "Just like the F1 drivers enjoy city circuits in Monaco and Singapore, they will like Baku -- although it is faster," he told CNN.
The first racer to test the Baku layout was hometown hero Gulhuseyn Abdullayev, who drove a GP3 car, "Just like the F1 drivers enjoy city circuits in Monaco and Singapore, they will like Baku -- although it is faster," he told CNN.
Majid Aliyev
"Motorsport isn't developed yet in Azerbaijan," Abdullayev says. "Everyone hopes the race will change that. I'm trying to be the first driver from Azerbaijan to make it into F1." The 19-year-old is racing in the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.euroformulaopen.net" target="_blank" target="_blank">Euro Formula Open</a> single seater series in 2016.
"Motorsport isn't developed yet in Azerbaijan," Abdullayev says. "Everyone hopes the race will change that. I'm trying to be the first driver from Azerbaijan to make it into F1." The 19-year-old is racing in the Euro Formula Open single seater series in 2016.
Majid Aliyev
The Presidential Palace in Baku will form part of the backdrop for the city's first F1 race.
The Presidential Palace in Baku will form part of the backdrop for the city's first F1 race.
Baku City Circuit
F1's hottest property, Max Verstappen poses with Baku's iconic "Flame Towers" in the background.
F1's hottest property, Max Verstappen poses with Baku's iconic "Flame Towers" in the background.
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The Flame Towers are 190 meters high and were <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2012%2F09%2F26%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Fgreat-buildings-barry-hughes%2F">completed by global architecture giant HOK</a>.
The Flame Towers are 190 meters high and were completed by global architecture giant HOK.
Christopher Lee/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
World championship leader Nico Rosberg in conversation with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The German had his lead slashed at the top of the standings to nine points after his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F06%2F12%2Fmotorsport%2Fmotorsport-canada-gp-hamilton-vettel%2Findex.html">took the checkered flag in Canada</a> last weekend.
World championship leader Nico Rosberg in conversation with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The German had his lead slashed at the top of the standings to nine points after his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton took the checkered flag in Canada last weekend.
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Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has much to ponder after Italian team's pit stop strategy in Montreal backfired. Sebastian Vettel still managed to finish second but Ferrari are still searching for their first win of 2016.
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has much to ponder after Italian team's pit stop strategy in Montreal backfired. Sebastian Vettel still managed to finish second but Ferrari are still searching for their first win of 2016.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images,
Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz will be looking to build on another accomplished drive at the Canadian Grand Prix. The Spaniard growing reputation was enhanced as he finished 9th in Montreal after starting in 20th place.
Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz will be looking to build on another accomplished drive at the Canadian Grand Prix. The Spaniard growing reputation was enhanced as he finished 9th in Montreal after starting in 20th place.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images,
The Azerbaijan flag flutters in front of a poster promoting the European Grand Prix in Baku.
The Azerbaijan flag flutters in front of a poster promoting the European Grand Prix in Baku.
Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images,