{{Azerbaijan will host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2016, the former Soviet state has announced.}}<\/p>\n
The race will be on a street circuit around the capital Baku and incorporate its medieval old city, modern skyline and a view across the Caspian Sea.<\/p>\n
The oil-rich state is in the Caucasus region where eastern Europe and western Asia meet and its F1 race is to be called Grand Prix of Europe.<\/p>\n
That title has been held by races in Germany, Spain and the UK in the past.
\nThe Azerbaijan government said the track layout had yet to be finalised.<\/p>\n
But Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport, Azad Rahimov, said the start-finish straight would be in Azadliq Square, and the track would pass major landmarks in the city.<\/p>\n
This is a model previously followed in Singapore, which first hosted a grand prix on a street track in 2008 and has since become one of the most popular events on the calendar.<\/p>\n
Azerbaijan’s government is funding the race to raise the country’s global profile.<\/p>\n
Rahimov said: “Our location at the crossroads of eastern Europe and western Asia is a new frontier for Formula 1 racing.<\/p>\n
“Azerbaijan is a modern European country that has established a reputation as a centre of sporting excellence.<\/p>\n
“The deal to bring Formula 1 racing to Baku is a very significant new chapter in our ongoing success to attract the world’s largest sporting events to our country.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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