Azerbaijan Grand Prix to stay on F1 calendar until 2026 with new deal signed

Thomas Maher
Valtteri Bottas lapping Baku. Azerbaijan F1 April 2023

Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas lapping Baku.

Formula 1 will visit Baku’s streets for at least another three years, having signed a new deal for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will stay on the F1 calendar until 2026 inclusive, with bosses signing a new three-year deal to race around Baku.

Having first raced in Azerbaijan in 2016, the idiosyncratic street circuit has won countless fans due to its high-speed nature and prevalence for chaotic and exciting races.

Having hosted the first F1 Sprint event of 2023, the announcement came following the Sprint Shootout that, with its contract coming to an end this year, a new deal has been signed to stay racing for another three years.

“The Baku City Circuit has become a hugely popular venue for Formula 1,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“It is an incredible circuit which always delivers huge drama, and has played host to some of the most exciting races in recent memory.

“We are delighted to extend our relationship with the country of Azerbaijan and look forward to continuing our growth together.”

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While a welcome announcement for Azerbaijan, the deal may be somewhat shorter than hoped for as Baku City Circuit’s head of communications Turab Teymurov told media, including PlanetF1.com, back in March that they were hopeful of a long-term deal.

“In the long term, we really want to become one of the established, most-visited, destinations rather than being a new kid on the block,” he said.

“We want to become an established Grand Prix race similar to Monaco and Monza and we’re really looking forward to a positive outcome for that to happen.”

Having had its immediate medium-term future secured, the Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov welcomed the announcement.

“We are thrilled to confirm our continued partnership with Formula 1,” he said.

“Ever since we first hosted this event in 2016, the economic, social, and cultural impact of the sport on our city and country has been remarkable. The Grand Prix is a source of great pride for the whole country and will now continue to inspire and excite our fans for a further three years.

“The past six races have been some of the best and most dramatic in the sport’s long history and we look forward to creating more magical moments for F1 fans at home and abroad over the next three years – starting with this weekend. Moreover, today’s agreement has come during a weekend that sees us hosting a record number of fans from over 100
countries, which only serves to make this moment even more special.”