Lap of Baku Circuit

[coanda_2013]

http://youtu.be/EQgAET0KczI

First section kind of reminds me of Adelade. Middle section looks tight (could a stranded car actual completely block that bit near the castle?) but the final section looks quick. Doubt any of it amounts to much overtaking.

[rsbmw]

That looks like a dull track, just a bunch of straights and 90 degree bends.

[Blatter]

The circuit layout doesn't look too bad though and for a street circuit it's quite long.

Might turn out to be better than that video once you get F1 drivers putting competitive laps in

[StevieBee]

That bit by the old city wall I've walked through many many times and cannot believe they'll be running through there. With armcos, it will be like width restrictors. Should be interesting!

[Vocal Minority]

I can see a few prangs happening in the first couple of laps round the narrow bits.

Not sure on whether that will produce the best race or not. And whilst not the most challenging circuit on the calendar, probably, its definitely on of the more visually interesting.

[anonymous-user]

Kvyat should be able to find a cosy spot of wall to watch the post-crash race from. Yoinks!

[ukaskew]

F1 simply doesn't suit these fenced in city circuits, how will this be any better than Valencia? Prettier buildings behind the armco aren't going help.

[anonymous-user]

Doesn't look particularly interesting or exciting. Maybe the narrow bit is aimed at causing some 'accidental' excitement?

We'll see but I do wonder why the hell F1 is in Azerbaijan. (Well, not really......... )

[antspants]

rsbmw said:

That looks like a dull track, just a bunch of straights and 90 degree bends.

I assumed you must be wildly exaggerating, disappointingly you're not!

Blatter said:

Might turn out to be better than that video once you get F1 drivers putting competitive laps in

Yes hopefully the speed of F1 will mean it's actually more interesting than that video indicates, but it doesn't look promising.

[Mr_Thyroid]

coanda_2013 said:

http://youtu.be/EQgAET0KczI

First section kind of reminds me of Adelade.

rsbmw said:

That looks like a dull track, just a bunch of straights and 90 degree bends.

Interesting comments. Presumably, given the nostalgia for 80s and 90s F1, if Adelaide were to be reinstated on the calendar it would be greeted with much joy and hoopla.

I don't know if it will be good for racing but I though the proximity of the surrounding buildings looked super cool. Will they put in a barrier to protect the castle?

[thegreenhell]

Once they've installed all the high safety fencing and advertising and positioned the cameras in their customary high positions looking down on the circuit, it could be any anonymous street circuit anywhere in the world.

[SeeFive]

Two things immediately spring to mind.

1). Looks like all new Tarmac. Should be fun with the oils being released mixed with a bit of rain...
2). Walls all round, no run off. Wonder what odds I can get on "two speed" Max V. binning it again.

Other than that, it doesn't look particularly inspiring for a classic race.

[SpudLink]

thegreenhell said:

Once they've installed all the high safety fencing and advertising and positioned the cameras in their customary high positions looking down on the circuit, it could be any anonymous street circuit anywhere in the world.

I fear this will be the case. But FOM will ensure TV coverage has some lingering shots of local landmarks to make the paymasters happy.

[HustleRussell]

The circuit it in a pretty setting but best suited for Formula E in my opinion.

[Dr Z]

It looks OK, but I was concerned about the cramped entry to the corners after some very fast straight sections...will discourage cars being wheel to wheel in the corners surely?

[FourWheelDrift]

And the first person ever to crash into a UNESCO world heritage site will be...

[Crafty_]

It looked crap when first announced and doesn't look any better now.

Far too long for formula E, they tend to stick to track that are around a mile long.

It will be interesting to see how much of the end of the lap will be taken flat in the good cars, other than that the guy latest on the brakes is going to get to the corner first..

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I think it looks terrific

Plenty of overtaking opportunities, long straights for drs zones, trees and spectators close to the track, gradient and elevation changes.

I'm going for 3 safety cars and two virtual safety cars

[Eric Mc]

Rain = safety car = dullsville.

Does it rain much in Baku?

[williamp]

The driver looked bored between turn 2 and 3..
And turn 20 looks like a demon. He must have used 5 degrees of steering lock.

I'll watch le mans and this in c4 highlights