Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

The beautiful capital of Azerbaijan welcomes Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans for the second Formula 1 event.

Futuristic cars with specific racing noise are going to replace usual traffic buzz on the streets of Baku. The city never looked that agog – anticipation of the biggest spectacle in racing fuels up the hearts of local people and foreign tourists.

On the organizers point of view 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has started even earlier – long before the first containers with tackle arrived at the airport. The process of getting ready for this very weekend of racing commenced just after the finish of 2016 event in Baku.

Hundreds of people – from managers and interpreters to fire marshals and volunteers – worked day and night to see the Baku race happen. Doctors and lifeguards practiced their skills in extracting people from narrow spaces so that Formula 1 drivers could be sure that they are in safe hands in case of emergency. Marshals and stewards were trained head-to-toe so that the race itself could go smooth. Volunteers from all over Azerbaijan mugged up the tiniest details about Baku City Circuit and the nearest neighborhood so that race fans could feel hospitality and discoverability of Baku.

The length of the widest part of the track is 13 meters, and the narrowest width is 7.6 meters between the turns 7 and 8, which are situated along the Icheri Sheher (Inner City). The Start and Finish lanes will be located at the Azadlig Square. Moreover, the Formula 1 Paddock, team garages and pit lanes are also located there.

A number of changes have been made at the Baku City circuit ahead of this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Firstly, the walls at the end of the run-off areas in Turns 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 15 have been moved back from the track to provide additional space.

Also, the TecPro barriers in Turns 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 15 have been improved by the addition of new blocks in front of the previous arrays, while kerbs have been removed and the ground painted at the exit of Turn 1, the apices of Turns 3 and 5 and the track/pit exit separator.

New openings have been placed in the walls for the recovery of cars on the left before Turn 7 and on the right in Turn 18. Additionally, a number of new gates in the walls have been installed to ease circulation after track running finishes.

Finally, the SAFER barriers around the outside of turns 13 and 19 have both been extended by 34m.

Once again, there are two DRS zones, the first has its detection at the SC2 line and activation 54m after Turn 2, while the second has detection at the T20 apex and activation 347m after Turn 20.

Friday is the first day of racing action. First practice sessions, first qualifying and first impressions of the cars on track.

In the evening all the attendees can shift their attention to music: a concert of Tarkan opens the intense entertainment program of 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Even Formula 1 drivers love these concerts: last year Scuderia Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz took his sisters to watch the show.

Saturday and Sunday are the main days for every Formula 1 Grand Prix. Lots of racing, lots of fun – and after the days full of autosport fans can move to the concert of The Black Eyed Peas, Nicole Scherzinger and Mariah Carey.

Not a minute to miss: the schedule of 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix puts excitement to a whole new level.

But, Formula 1 is not the only racing championship that comes to Azerbaijan this year. With Formula 2 sessions in the break between main events the spectators have a great opportunity to watch one of the most breathtaking racing series live in Baku, Azertac reported.

Last year Formula 2 races in Azerbaijan outshined the main event – Formula 1 Grand Prix itself. The battle was so harsh that a safety car appeared at the circuit 4 times. There were lots of overtaking and collisions during both races in Baku: the drivers were really motivated to win the first ever junior race in the streets of Baku.

This year Azerbaijan Formula 2 event has its own guest star. Sergey Sirotkin, a bronze medalist of 2016 championship, is coming back to Formula 2 for the Baku race only. The Russian is taking seat of Alexander Albon in ART Grand Prix. Sirotkin achieved two podiums in Azerbaijan last year. This time Sergey is a serious contender for the overall victory.

The first Formula 2 race in Baku starts at noon local time on Saturday, June 24th. The second race with reverse starting grid starts at 2 pm local time on Sunday, June 25th.

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