Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Beautiful Baku nights seem to have mesmerized Formula 1 bosses, as the European Grand Prix managers expressed desire to change the format of the Baku race.

The fabulous atmosphere in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital city provided the perfect backdrop for the 8th round of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship, delighting spectators with a truly unique live sporting experience.

The city proved to have a lot to offer visitors, especially the picturesque old town and its medieval walls, which provided iconic views for TV cameras and photographers. The sheer scale of the circuit itself was impressive – this was 6km through the heart of a major city.

Azerbaijan will host the European Grand Prix for the next five years.

Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone voiced a desire to change the format of the Baku Grand Prix, switching it to the night race, what, in his opinion, can add an extra thrill to the race.

"Not really," he said when asked by Motorsport.com if he would do anything differently with the Baku street track in 2017. "We need to have a good think about it, but I don't think so.

"I'd like to see a 7pm start. We'll find out, they're looking at it."

The 15th round of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship in Singapore was the first ever night-time Grand Prix, when the critics were out in force well before F1 racing. But when the paddock assembled in Marina Bay all such fears melted away.

In 2014, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the first staging of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the race was held as a night event under floodlights, and in so doing it became the second Formula One night race after the Singapore Grand Prix.

But, what about the nights in Baku? Nights in the City of Winds enjoy the unique marriage of silence and buoyancy, darkness and light, simplicity and perfectness.

Baku is definitely well worth a walk at night when the town is beautifully illuminated. On warm summer nights residents and guests of the city seem to stroll along the Baku Boulevard, which is the wide promenade on the Caspian Sea.

Moreover, summer gets oppressively hot and humid in the country. During the race the temperature in Baku varied from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, what could give discomfort for pilots.

That's why famous Baku nights may become advantage for drivers and fans, who can also enjoy with the night lights of the capital.

When Ecclestone announced two years ago F1 was heading to Azerbaijan, the reaction from many in the sport was to look it up on a map, such was the unfamiliarity with this new addition to the calendar.

However, after a weekend that provided stunning vistas and prompted positive reviews, it would appear this new race certainly made its mark - with drivers, team bosses and pundits alike singing its praises.

Ecclestone wants other promoters to learn from Baku regarding hosting its first Formula 1 race.

"If all the places we go made the effort that these people made here, it would be fantastic,” said Ecclestone. “They've done an incredible job."

The CEO was particularly pleased with how the track came across on TV. "It's turned out to be a really good circuit,” he noted. “I wanted to go past the old castle whatever happened, to get all these things in shot, which is what we were lucky enough to do."

The F1 drivers were also impressed with what Baku had to offer, including world champion Lewis Hamilton. "Baku is like a jewel hidden away somewhere which we didn't know about,” said Hamilton. “Plus, the weather is incredible."

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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