‘Why Azerbaijan is the Best F1 Grand Prix’

Exploring Beautiful Baku

Formula 1 is lucky to visit so many corners of the world, and Baku certainly qualifies as one of the most special and scenic backdrops we race at, up there with the heights of the Austrian hills and the luxurious streets of Monte Carlo.

“This city, located by the shore, blends history and modernity in the most scenic form,” Sevinj explains.

“I believe what makes the Azerbaijan Grand Prix one of the most special ones on the calendar is that it grants the best of both worlds: culture and sports. Historical landmarks are in every corner of the track, with thrilling turns that have fans on their feet.”

From Road to Racetrack

Living in Baku means that Sevinj gets to see the transformation of the city in front of her very eyes when F1 comes to town.

“I would get a few days off school during race week, as the place I studied was located on the right-side of the infamous up and down hill of Turn 15.

“I would associate the grand prix with a holiday that I could look forward to,” Sevinj tells me when asked how she first discovered F1.

She watched her first race in 2016 for Baku’s first race – known as the European Grand Prix that year – and she could hear the TV broadcast helicopters from her living room.

“The following year, my mother took me and my older sister to watch the race live. She wanted to make sure her daughters grew up to be globally minded individuals and that marked the beginning of my love for racing!

“Months prior to the grand prix, once the safety fences are up, driving through the city feels like you too are racing on the track!

“What I love the most about this track has to be seeing the roads you grew up taking become a world stage for one of the most prestigious sport events.”

Best Seats in the House

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix offers fans a variety of places to watch from. Whether you want sheer speed on the main straight or see the cars navigating the narrow complex corners in the Icheri Sheher grandstand.

“Experiencing a street circuit from the grandstand is definitely unlike any other track,” Sevinj adds. “The roar of the engines feels extremely close; it almost feels like every flicker of thrill and fear can be felt more intensely.

“Traveling to the track becomes a little trickier considering the centre is closed off and traffic surges, however considering how much of a walkable city Baku is, it is a breeze making it on time to your seats.”

So Much to See Away from the Circuit

A huge part of Azerbaijan is the culture, and especially the food. Asked about her top recommendations for those travelling to the city for the first time, Sevinj was quick to list off her favourite dishes.

“Food is such a major element of our culture. Dishes such as Şax Plov (crown pilaf), Yarpaq Dolması (stuffed grape leaves), and the delight of the Southern region of Azerbaijan such as Ləvəngi (stuffing typically for baked fish) are among the foods you must try if you are visiting!

“If you are on a tight schedule, I would highly recommend Şirvanşah, a museum restaurant, which combines delicious traditional cuisine and transports you to the old Baku.”

As well as the Old City, which is also a classified UNESCO World Heritage Site, Baku is also located on the Caspian Sea. It is the largest city in the world that is below sea level – 28 metres to be exact – and has also been given the nickname the “City of Winds”.

“Brace yourself for the wind,” Sevinj mentions, “keep your hats tight!”

Mercedes Is a ‘Lifestyle’

Sevinj has not only been cheering on Mercedes for years, she has also been supporting Kimi through junior series.

“My fondest memory from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has to be the qualifying day of 2019. My cousins and I had general admission tickets, watching cars race past us as my mom was filming us experiencing the thrill of the race.”

That year saw the Silver Arrows complete a 1-2 in both qualifying and the race, with Valtteri leading the way on both occasions.

“As for Kimi, I have been supporting him since the Formula Regional European Championship! I was there to witness him take the title in Zandvoort in 2023, and it has been incredible to watch the Mercedes team nourish and grow his talent.

“Mercedes is a special team for me as it has become like a lifestyle. After attending Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this spring as a content creator, I got to see the incredibly hardworking team that delivers a timeless performance on and off track.”