CITY CHALLENGE AND FORMULA-1 IN BAKU

They love speed in Azerbaijan. But even the most ordinary car races have been very rare in the country so far, not to mention prestigious competitions such as Formula 1. Rank-and-file Azerbaijanis could watch international races only on television, dreaming of seeing Formula bolides on Azerbaijani tracks one day.

And adrenaline seekers' dream came true at last. In late October, the central streets of Baku turned into a real race track. On 26-28 October, the Azerbaijani capital hosted a spectacular world-class sports show - classic car races Formula 1 and City Challenge GT3.

The race, which involved 10 teams and 35 cars of famous car brands like Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Maserati, Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche, was broadcast live by 65 television channels from 32 countries. Before the competition, it was expected that it would be watched by some 300 million people from 120 countries, the executive director of City Challenge, Hartmut Beyer, said. By the way, "the head of City Challenge chose the competition venue himself," press coordinator Rene de Boer said at a news conference.

The competition was held on Neftcilar Avenue and the streets adjacent to the Baku Boulevard. The 2.1-km route included 14 turns.

The programme consisted of laps on the track around the Government House, a special lap by 1960s Formula 1 cars and an auto show.

During the City Challenge GT3 competitions, the Baku audience also had the opportunity to see performances by Formula 1 celebrities - world champions Jacques Villeneuve and Jos Verstappen. The former Formula 1 pilots drove Porsche 911 GT3-R in the Azerbaijani capital.

"I have never been to Baku, so I am looking forward to my acquaintance with this culture, which is unknown to me," Jacques Villeneuve said before arriving in Azerbaijan. "As far as I've heard, motor racing in Azerbaijan is not highly developed, so I can show the locals something new. I expect that it will be an amazing race, at least, I'm preparing for it no less than for Formula 1," - the Canadian race car driver and champion of the IndyCar World Series in 1995 and Formula 1 in 1997 said.

"It looks like an interesting challenge," Verstappen said for his part. "It took me a while to decide, but the offer looks interesting. GT3 races are now rapidly rising to the international level, so perhaps, my participation will give me good prospects for the future. If I like it, then maybe something will come out of it. For me, it will be a new experience. I am not familiar with the car. It will be interesting," 1news.az quoted the 40-year-old Dutch pilot as saying.

The final City Challenge GT3 competition ended in victory for McLaren MP4 GT3 pilots Frederick Makowiecki and Stef Dusseldorf. Second place was taken by the BMW Z4 pilots Kechele and Lauda, third place by the BMW Z4 crew Yelmer Buurman and Nicolaus Mayr-Melnhof.

The winner of the final race in the Gymkhana City Drift category was the German racer Rohan Van Riel in a BMW M5 car, who distinguished himself with the spectacular performance of various manoeuvres at a high speed.

On the whole, the competition ended without serious technical problems and accidents. The technical director of the competition, Jean Kral, told R+ that as a result of small clashes, three cars were slightly damaged. In the final stage of the Formula 1race, the March 761 bolide of the Brazilian race car driver Abba Kogan hit the barrier and caught fire. Fortunately, he escaped with a fright.

After the final races, we managed to talk to the world Formula 1champion, Jos Verstappen, who looked pleased with his first visit to Azerbaijan. The Dutch racing driver Verstappen is a former Formula 1 pilot. He played in the teams Benetton, Simtek, Footwork, Tyrrell, Stewart, Arrows, Minardi. In 1999, he was a test pilot in the project to return Honda to Formula 1. He was a first pilot in the A1 Grand Prix series in the season 2005/2006 for the Dutch team and won the main race on the track in Durban. In 2008, he became a champion of Le Mans Series in the class of prototypes of the second category (LMP2) in the Dutch team Van Merksteijn Motorsport. Currently, he performs in Le Mans Series and took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2009 in an Aston Martin of the LMP1 category.

- Welcome to Baku. Frankly, it is a bit unusual to see so many motorsport celebrities in Azerbaijan ...

- I admit, I was surprised when I was invited to this event. I was looking forward to coming to Baku. Now I can safely say that I am leaving with only pleasant memories.

- Bakuvians observed such a big auto show for the first time. Do you think they were happy?

- Formula 1 competitions cannot please everyone. But those who love risk and adrenaline will remember this show for a long time. Looking from the side, everybody wants to sit at the helm of these cars, but it's impossible. For amateurs it is very dangerous. But viewers should be able to see themselves at the helm in the same way as we feel the fans beside ourselves. Only in this way, can you really enjoy the speed.

- Maybe someone from Azerbaijani fans of high speed will manage it? We have a lot of people who manage to develop speeds of up to 100-120 km per hour in city traffic...

- (Laughs) Everyone should do their own job. It is one thing to drive a car in everyday life, and another in sports. Pay attention to the cars in which we compete. Once you sit at the helm, you shudder, not to mention driving. But everything can be learned.

- You have participated in numerous events. How will you remember the Baku race?

- Usually, Formula 1 competitions are held in specially designated areas. In Baku, we were racing in the most beautiful streets of the city, and it is very nice. There were beautiful buildings and parks all around. All this gives a person a charge of positive energy. Races on city streets are always something special. I watched such races in the US and took part in them. In Azerbaijan, it will be a new experience.

- Do you think Baku can host Formula 1 competitions in the future?

- The issue is complex. This requires a longer track. It all depends on the distance. But, in my opinion, Baku is able to host any competition. You just need to work a little more. Perhaps Formula 1 competitions can be held not in the city centre, but on another track. I find it hard to say anything because I do not know the city. If the organizers want to host a world championship, perhaps, they will find a place.

- Are you happy with the Baku spectator?

- In any case, they love speed in Baku. During the competition, I saw emotions and movements of ordinary people. If they love speed, they root for Formula 1. I think the race gave Baku residents pleasant moments. And we ourselves enjoyed racing in front of such a spectator.