GOING LIKE THE WIND

Next year Baku will be hosting another prestigious competition, in which the battle will be significantly different from previous ones - the European Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix. Preparations for this event have already begun. Some 5,000 volunteers, as well as experts in security, emergency road-clearing, and so on, have been brought in for the Baku stage of the F1.

F1 competitions, which are followed in nearly 190 countries, are held on five continents. The fact that the coming event in Baku has been called the European Grand Prix is linked with its geographical position. Like Monaco and Singapore, the race will be run through the city's streets. To do this, the roads are covered with special asphalt and stands will be erected. The drivers will start in front of Government House and then, after making a circuit in front of the Marriott Hotel, they will then move anti-clockwise, go up Aziz Aliyev Street (formerly Zevin Street), and after passing the Qosa Qala Qapilari, return to the boulevard, with the Four Seasons Hotel on their right.

The circuit in Baku is noted for its numerous ascents and descents. The special asphalt surface will be laid next year. This will mean that in some areas pavements will be shortened and traffic lights repositioned. For the convenience of the city's residents this work will be carried out in stages. Paved areas will be temporarily covered with asphalt, which will be removed after the event.

Some 40,000 seats will be provided for spectators during the F1 competition in Baku. F1 has an audience of 500 million TV viewers, second only to the World Cup and the summer Olympics.

Tickets for the Baku F1 2016 will be on sale on 19 December. You can purchase them on the www.bakucitycircuit.com website on the big day - exactly six months before the start of the competition, which will be held in Azerbaijan for the first time.

Hermann Tilke, architect of Baku's City Circuit, spoke to R+ about preparing the F1 route. He said the Baku City Circuit was quite different from other events: "First of all, it is an event that will be held in the city's streets. In the technical sense, you could say it was on a par with the Monaco Grand Prix. However, unlike Monaco, the installations used in Baku will be temporary, and it is much more difficult to build a temporary circuit. Even so, the advantage of the Baku stage is that we shall be able to acquaint tourists and spectators with the historical sights of Baku. The project for the Baku City Circuit has been sent to the International Motor Sport Federation (FIA) for their final approval. Basically, the project has already been agreed; it just remains for some details to be clarified and completed."

There are a number of ascents and descents on the Baku circuit, which might cause problems for the F1 drivers. On the other hand, it could also be windy during the event. According to Tilke, during the F1 competition the wind speed will have real significance. That is why the normal wind speed for June has been taken into account: "The Baku circuit is unusual in that it runs through the narrow, ascending streets of Icari Sahar [Old City] which makes our circuit unique. Naturally, when passing through this area the cars will descend in front of the building of the president's administration and start to pick up speed going towards Azneft Circle. According to our calculations, the cars will be able to reach a speed of about 340km an hour. All this makes the circuit interesting for the drivers and for the spectators. One shouldn't forget the weather, either. The wind speed is crucial. The mechanics will have to take this into account because as they are driving the wind will be behind them, pushing the cars forward, thus reducing gravitational pull. Although this will make things more difficult for them, I think this will make the race more interesting and gripping. What's more, the best drivers in the world will be taking part in the Baku Grand Prix, and I believe they'll be able to handle this."

The International Motor Sport Federation has already approved the date for the European Grand Prix in Baku, which will be 19 June. A great many tourists and the foreign media are expected to come to Baku. The date of the competition in Baku has been shifted because of the finish of the 24-Hour Le Mans in France. Incidentally, it was because of the Baku Grand Prix World F1 Drivers Championship that the maximum number of stages during the season was increased from 20 to 21.