Hosting di Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for di tenth time for di same year wey Baku hold di status of World Capital of Sport get symbolic meaning, Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov talk.
As İdman.Biz report, di minister believe say di race once again confirm Azerbaijan position as permanent and reliable partner for hosting major international sporting events.
‘A decade of experience show say di race no be just dynamic show for motorsport fans, but na product wey dey contribute to di country socio-economic, cultural and institutional transformation,’ Gayibov tell AZERTAC.
According to di minister, sport and cultural projects don become important instrument for shaping a country international image.
‘This year, around 300 local and foreign media representatives cover di Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while 56 foreign television channels broadcast di race live. During di race days, hundreds of millions of television viewers see Baku historic and modern architecture, and dis further strengthen di perception of Azerbaijan as open, modern and safe country,’ he talk.
Gayibov also reveal say all tickets wey dem make available for di Azerbaijan Grand Prix don sold out for di past three years. Four new grandstands enter, and dis increase di overall capacity to 21,000 spectators.
‘This year, more than 17,000 foreign fans watch di race live from di grandstands, while specially designated areas record more than 3,000 entries per day. Overall, 92,000 visits dem record over di four days, while more than 25,000 fans attend di entertainment zones on Baku Boulevard on individual days.
‘These figures demonstrate di project economic sustainability and attractiveness. Dis flow no only generate revenue for hotels and catering businesses. In broader terms, di project contribute to development of di non-oil sector and represent new philosophy for its expansion. Di organisational model of di race demonstrate say sports tourism don become one of di important drivers of economic diversification,’ Gayibov add.
Di minister also highlight Baku ability to reopen major transport routes to residents quickly before and immediately after di event, and he describe am as evidence of high level of professionalism in urban management and logistics.
Gayibov stress say Formula 1 also provide young people opportunities for social engagement, volunteering and integration into global culture. According to him, concerts and other cultural events wey dem hold as part of di Grand Prix attract around 40,000 spectators.
‘Di Formula 1 race at di Baku City Circuit no be simply battle for speed on di track. E be project wey dey enhance Azerbaijan international profile, help realise di country economic and tourism potential, test and develop urban infrastructure and revitalise di cultural environment,’ di minister conclude.
Di 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix na Mercedes British driver George Russell win.
