The Baku City Circuit is a temporary street circuit that combines high-speed racing with the historic character and modern architecture of Azerbaijan’s capital. Since 2016, the circuit has hosted Formula 1 races through the streets of Baku.
In 2016, the Baku City Circuit hosted its first Formula 1 race, the European Grand Prix. Since then, the race in Azerbaijan’s capital has formed part of the Formula 1 racing calendar.
With a length of more than six kilometres, the temporary street circuit is one of the longest tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. The layout combines Baku’s historic old town with modern areas of the metropolis. As a result, the circuit offers a distinctive urban setting for international motorsport.
The start-finish straight runs parallel to the Caspian Sea promenade and passes Baku’s impressive government building. In the first sector, several 90-degree corners guide drivers through the government quarter and along modern architecture.
The most challenging section leads through the historic old city. Tight sequences of corners pass several landmarks, including the Maiden’s Tower. At one point, the track narrows to only seven metres, creating a demanding section with very little room for error.
Beyond the old city, the circuit opens into a fast and wide section. Two full-throttle corners and a two-kilometre straight lead the cars back towards the start-finish line. Consequently, the Baku City Circuit ranks among the fastest tracks in Formula 1 history, with a top speed of up to 360 km/h.
Today, the Baku City Circuit stands out through its combination of speed, technical precision, historic surroundings, and modern urban infrastructure. This contrast gives the Formula 1 event a distinctive identity within the international racing calendar.
