Google+ Jack Leslie F1: 2016 European Grand Prix Preview

15 June 2016

2016 European Grand Prix Preview

After a short absence, the European Grand Prix returns to the Formula 1 calendar in 2016 at the new Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan.
© Baku City Circuit
The race last took place in 2012 at the Valencia Street Circuit in Spain. This year marks the 23rd running of the European GP as a standalone event.

The Baku street track is the fifth venue to host the official European GP, with the others being Donington Park, Jerez, the Nurburgring and Valencia.

Teams and drivers have little time to reflect on the previous round in Canada, with just a handful of days between the eighth race of the season and F1’s debut in Baku with Friday practice.

The returning European GP throws up a number of exciting unknowns, with F1 outfits having little data and knowledge of the track and layout. It is an unusual venue, with many wide sections of track and long straights, mixed in with 90-degree corners, fast sweeps and a narrow chicane complex situated alongside the walls of Baku’s Old City.
© Baku City Circuit

Despite being a street track, average speeds are expected to be quite high over the course of a lap, helped by several lengthy flat-out sections. However, braking is also set to be tested as the layout features quite a few slow corners.

Measuring in at 3.732 miles, the Baku circuit is the second longest on the F1 2016 calendar, behind the famous Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Designed by Hermann Tilke, a lap of the track begins on the long start/finish straight.

The first two corners are both 90-degree left-handers, with the pit exit between them. Following on from another considerable flat-out burst is the medium-speed left of Turn 3. The following right-hander is taken at a similar speed, but has a wider exit.

A short straight is next up before the tight left-right chicane of the fifth and sixth corners, which could be a potential overtaking opportunity. Turn 7 is a fairly simple and straightforward right-hander, before the challenging, extremely narrow complex of corners made up of the eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th bends.


This section of track runs alongside part of the Old City wall and will require single file formation. It leads quickly onto the slow left of Turn 12, before a short straight. However, speeds continue to build through the next two left-handers before the tighter Turn 15.

The medium-speed left of Turn 16 has a wide entry and exit, which could encourage different lines to be taken. The following few corners make up a very fast complex, with drivers weaving right, left and then right again.

The second of those right-handers takes drivers alongside the short straight between the sixth and seventh bends, with the two sections of track separated by a barrier. Turn 20 is a flat-out, mild right-hand bend as speeds continue to quickly build onto the main straight, with the pit entry to the left.

It is certainly an odd and unusually fast layout, which could encourage some good racing. Obviously, as it is a street circuit, track evolution will be rapid throughout the weekend and track time will be vital in practice, in order for drivers to gain confidence and gather data on the new venue.

The long straights will suit those with Mercedes power, but the chassis will still play a crucial role in the weekend, which could level the playing field for the likes of Red Bull and McLaren. It will certainly be an interesting weekend in a new location, with fresh challenges and plenty of uncertainty.

European Grand Prix Fact File 
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan 
Track length: 3.732 miles 
Direction: Anti-clockwise 
Turns: 20 
Laps: TBC 
First race: 1983 (2016 - Azerbaijan)
Lap record: TBC 
Tyre compounds: Medium, soft and super-soft 
2015 race winner: - 
2015 pole position: - 
2015 fastest lap: - 
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4

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