Choosing a grandstand at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The Baku City Circuit has a distinctive dumbbell shape, with two long sections joined by the tight, twisty Old City segment. The main overtaking happens at Turn 1, at the end of the long start-finish straight, which is the heaviest braking zone on the lap. The Old City section, narrow and walled in, is where mistakes get punished.

Having sat in the AzNeft and Icheri Sheher grandstands myself, I can recommend both. They sit at very different parts of the lap and give very different perspectives.

The grandstands are uncovered, except for the upper section of the Absheron Main Grandstand.

Absheron (Main) Grandstand

The Absheron Grandstand runs along the start-finish straight, opposite the pit lane. From here you see the grid build-up, the start, the cars accelerating away from the line, the pit lane in action through the race, and the chequered flag. Section E is closest to Turn 1, the heaviest braking zone on the circuit.

Icheri Sheher Grandstand

The Icheri Sheher Grandstand sits against the walls of the UNESCO-listed Old City, at the most technical and visually distinctive part of the circuit. The track here is narrow and twisty, with cars threading between centuries-old stone walls. It’s a memorable spot for the setting alone.

AzNeft Grandstand

The AzNeft Grandstand faces a fast, sweeping left-hander, where the cars come downhill before launching onto one of the long straights. From here you have a head-on view of the cars braking and accelerating away.

Filarmoniya Grandstand

The Filarmoniya Grandstand is near Philharmonic Square, with views of the final part of the downhill section and the heavy braking into Turn 16. It’s a good spot for an overtaking move, especially towards the end of the lap.

Mugham Grandstand

The Mugham Grandstand sits in front of the Puppet Theatre on the Boulevard, with views of two parts of the circuit at once. The cars run flat-out towards the start-finish line on one side, and on the other side they run in the opposite direction towards Turn 7, before diving into the Old City.

Other grandstands

The dumbbell shape of the circuit means several other grandstands are spread along the long straights. Giz Galasi, Sahil, Bulvar, and Khazar all sit on these sections and give views of the cars at full throttle.

FAQ's

Where do you see the most overtaking?

At Turn 1, at the end of the long start-finish straight. The Filarmoniya Grandstand also covers an overtaking spot at Turn 16.

Are the grandstands covered?

Only the upper section of the Absheron Main Grandstand is covered. Every other grandstand is uncovered.

What's it like watching from the Old City section?

The Icheri Sheher Grandstand sits against the walls of the UNESCO-listed Old City, at the narrowest and most technical part of the lap. It's a memorable spot for the setting as well as the racing.