No more boredom on the streets of Baku

The European Grand Prix in Baku did not generate much enthusiasm, with a predictable circuit, no real challenges, and overly cautious drivers, resulting in a boring weekend with no notable events.

Azerbaijan hosted its first Formula 1 Grand Prix last weekend on a circuit winding through the historic streets of Baku. While the medieval backdrop provided a striking visual setting, the race itself failed to generate the excitement that many had hoped for.

The track, dominated by long straights and a series of 90-degree turns, failed to deliver the spectacular show imagined by the organizers, particularly in the old town section where the track narrows to a single lane between the walls.

Unlike the GP2 race that preceded it, which saw a flurry of incidents, the Formula 1 race turned into a rather boring parade. The cars reached their top speed and mainly overtook on the start-finish straight, aided by DRS and slipstreaming, rather than through real battles on the track.

The only significant duel was abruptly interrupted by a questionable penalty imposed on Kimi Raikkonen for crossing the white line at the entrance to the pit lane, an offense that many other drivers committed without consequence. Ultimately, the highly publicized Baku circuit is reminiscent of the much-criticized Valencia circuit, which hosted the European Grand Prix for four seasons and also failed to win over the F1 community. Will Azerbaijan manage to stay on the calendar for longer? With no tradition in motorsport, its inclusion already seems anachronistic, and a circuit that lacks universal appeal offers few advantages. Yet, as history shows, Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA often place importance on the non-sporting advantages of visiting countries that do not have a long tradition in F1, an approach that has never been particularly consistent.