Azerbaijan has been an independent state since October 1991 a few months prior to the Soviet Union ceasing to exist and in geographical terms is home to the Caucasus mountains and the Caspian Sea.

It is in the country’s capital, located on its shores that Formula 1 made one of its newest home at the Baku Street Circuit in 2016.

The maiden race here went by the name of the European GP, but the last three editions were called the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The F1 Baku Brand

Baku City Circuit is located in a city that mixes the old – it’s famous for its medieval walled part that dates back to the 12th century – and the new, with very modern buildings like the Heydar Aliyev Center.

In fact the track features a section that makes it the narrowest on the calendar as it passes near the old walls, although the rest of the track is mainly high-speed.

F1 in Baku is unique in its mix of ancient and modern and culinary delights that borrow from Turkey and the Middle East.

The 2020 Azerbaijan GP had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Valtteri Bottas was the winner when it was last held in 2019, having taken pole the previous day.