Winding through the historic heart of Baku along the shores of the Caspian Sea, Baku City Circuit is one of the most distinctive street circuits in world motorsport. Since joining the Formula One calendar in 2016, it has gained a reputation for producing unpredictable races, dramatic overtaking and spectacular television images that blend medieval architecture with modern skyscrapers.
Designed by renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke, the circuit combines exceptionally high speeds with one of the narrowest sections ever used in Formula One. The result is a venue where precision, bravery and strategic adaptability are rewarded in equal measure.
In Brief
- Baku features one of the longest full-throttle sections in Formula One.
- The castle section narrows to approximately 7.6 metres, making it the narrowest point on the Formula One calendar.
- Cars regularly exceed 350 km/h before braking for Turn 1.
- The circuit became the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2017 after debuting as the European Grand Prix in 2016.
- It combines a UNESCO World Heritage site with one of Formula One’s fastest layouts.
- Baku has earned a reputation for producing Safety Cars, unpredictable strategies and dramatic finishes.
History
The concept of bringing Formula One to Azerbaijan emerged during the country’s wider investment in international sporting events and tourism. Construction of the temporary circuit began in the mid-2010s, using public roads through Baku’s UNESCO-listed historic centre and the city’s modern waterfront.
The inaugural race took place in 2016 as the European Grand Prix, before the event was renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 2017 onwards.
Almost immediately, Baku established a reputation unlike any other Formula One venue. Safety Cars, red flags, dramatic overtakes and unexpected podium finishers became regular features, earning the circuit a reputation as one of the championship’s most entertaining destinations.
Today, Baku is considered one of Formula One’s defining modern street circuits.
Circuit Design
The Baku City Circuit measures 6.003 kilometres, making it one of the longest circuits on the Formula One calendar.
Its layout is remarkable for its extremes.
The opening and closing sectors feature exceptionally long full-throttle sections running along Neftchilar Avenue, where cars regularly exceed 350 km/h. In dramatic contrast, the middle sector winds through the narrow streets of Baku’s Old City, including the famous castle section where the circuit narrows to little more than seven metres.
The circuit constantly alternates between maximum speed and maximum precision, creating a unique engineering compromise unlike any other venue.
LENGTH
6.003
kilometres
WIDTH
8–13
metres
DIRECTION
CCW
counter-clockwise
TURNS
20
12 left – 8 right
SURFACE
Asphalt
LONGEST STRAIGHT
1,201
metres
OPENED
2016
10 years ago
Baku City Circuit is defined by an extraordinary contrast between extremely slow, confined corners through the historic city and one of the longest full-throttle sections in Formula One. Rather than maintaining a consistent rhythm, the lap repeatedly changes character, demanding low-speed mechanical grip and precise positioning before suddenly rewarding aerodynamic efficiency and exceptional straight-line performance.
The opening sector establishes the circuit’s stop-start character, with several 90-degree corners creating heavy braking opportunities where traction on exit is essential. The middle section becomes dramatically narrower as the circuit climbs towards Baku’s Old City, culminating in the famous passage alongside the medieval walls around Turns 8 to 10, where the track becomes exceptionally confined and accuracy matters more than outright speed. From there, the circuit begins its descent through faster, flowing corners before competitors commit to the long acceleration sequence along the Caspian waterfront and back towards the start-finish line.
Baku’s defining challenge therefore comes from reconciling two almost contradictory circuit characteristics. Drivers need sufficient downforce and mechanical grip to negotiate the slow, narrow Old City section, yet low drag is essential for the enormous flat-out run that follows. Those who remain precise through the confined technical sections while preserving strong exits and straight-line speed are generally rewarded most strongly.
| Corner |
|---|
| T1 092° · Left · 31 m |
| T2 086° · Left · 19 m |
| T3 085° · Left · 14 m |
| T4 088° · Right · 16 m |
| T5 094° · Left · 39 m |
| T6 088° · Right · 36 m |
| T7 108° · Right · 42 m |
| T8 069° · Left · 14 m |
| T9 032° · Right · 21 m |
| T10 040° · Left · 20 m |
| T11 052° · Right · 8 m |
| T12 091° · Left · 18 m |
| T13 043° · Left · 52 m |
| T14 021° · Left · 41 m |
| T15 059° · Left · 21 m |
| T16 089° · Left · 20 m |
| T17 020° · Right · 25 m |
| T18 037° · Left · 25 m |
| T19 043° · Right · 35 m |
| T20 015° · Right · 49 m |
Baku City Circuit has established itself as one of the most distinctive additions to modern Formula One, bringing Grand Prix racing into the architectural and cultural heart of Azerbaijan’s capital. First used for Formula One as the European Grand Prix in 2016, the event became the Azerbaijan Grand Prix the following year and has since developed a reputation for unpredictable racing and dramatic championship moments.
The circuit’s unusual combination of narrow historic streets and exceptionally high speeds distinguishes Baku from almost every other street venue. Its long main straight has produced some of the highest speeds recorded during Formula One competition, while the close barriers, heavy braking zones and opportunities for slipstreaming frequently create overtaking, safety-car periods and rapidly changing race strategies. As a result, Baku has produced several unexpected winners, podium finishes and incidents that have influenced championship campaigns.
Unlike established motorsport nations where Grand Prix circuits developed from a long domestic racing tradition, Baku represents Formula One as a catalyst for creating an international motorsport destination. The race has introduced Azerbaijan to a global sporting audience while placing the city’s historic architecture, modern skyline and Caspian waterfront at the centre of the event’s identity.
Baku City Circuit therefore occupies a distinctive position within contemporary Formula One. It combines the precision and consequences of traditional street racing with speeds normally associated with permanent circuits, creating an event where engineering compromise, racecraft and unpredictability are fundamental to the competition. In little more than a decade, Baku has developed from a new addition to the calendar into one of Formula One’s most recognisable urban venues.
Visitor Experience
Attending the Azerbaijan Grand Prix offers a unique blend of motorsport and history.
Spectators can watch Formula One cars accelerate past futuristic architecture before walking only minutes to the ancient streets of Baku’s UNESCO-listed Old City. The city’s compact layout allows visitors to combine racing with museums, restaurants, seaside promenades and historic landmarks throughout the weekend.
The evening atmosphere along the Caspian waterfront, combined with Baku’s distinctive skyline, creates one of Formula One’s most visually striking destinations.
Climate
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainfall mm | Rainy days | Daylight h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7° | 4° | 27 | 7 | 9.7 |
| February | 7° | 4° | 29 | 7 | 10.7 |
| March | 10° | 6° | 25 | 6 | 12.0 |
| April | 14° | 10° | 24 | 6 | 13.3 |
| May | 20° | 15° | 16 | 4 | 14.4 |
| June | 25° | 20° | 7 | 2 | 15.0 |
| July | 28° | 24° | 7 | 1 | 14.7 |
| August | 29° | 24° | 7 | 1 | 13.7 |
| September | 25° | 20° | 20 | 4 | 12.5 |
| October | 19° | 16° | 32 | 7 | 11.1 |
| November | 13° | 10° | 40 | 9 | 10.0 |
| December | 9° | 6° | 32 | 7 | 9.3 |
Monthly averages for Baku City Circuit, 1991–2020.
Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026 (CC BY 4.0).
Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
Location
Baku City Circuit is situated on public roads surrounding the historic centre of Baku, extending from the Caspian Sea waterfront through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old City (Icherisheher) before returning along the city’s broad boulevards.
Its integration into one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited urban centres makes it unlike any other circuit on the Formula One calendar.
Address
Zarifa Aliyeva 93
Bakı
Bakı
Azerbaijan
Website