BCH Official: “The Extension of the Contract Demonstrates Azerbaijan’s Reliable Position Within the Formula 1 Family”
Arzu Huseynova, National Press Secretary of the Baku City Circuit (BCC) Operating Company, shared her insights on last month’s Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix held in Baku in an interview with Report.az.
“Baku Has Become an Integral Part of the Global Sports Calendar”
Huseynova stated that the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held from September 19–21, was a major success, noting:
“The ninth edition of the race was highly successful in terms of organization, fan engagement, and television ratings. Baku has now become an inseparable part of the global sports calendar.”
The race was won by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, followed by Lando Norris (McLaren) and Carlos Sainz (Williams). Sainz secured Williams’ first podium since 2021 and described it as “the most valuable podium of his career.”
Season leader Oscar Piastri (McLaren), meanwhile, failed to score points for the first time in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and did not finish the race. Huseynova emphasized that this once again shows that “the Baku circuit is always full of surprises.”
Record Attendance and 14,000 Foreign Tourists
Highlighting the record-breaking attendance at this year’s event, Huseynova shared the following details:
“The grandstands had over 20,000 seats, and two new stands were built to make the race more accessible to fans. Throughout the race week, fan zones, concerts, and interactive events attracted around 90,000 attendees. In addition, more than 14,000 foreign tourists visited Azerbaijan.”
“FIA and Formula 1 Management Were Satisfied With the Organization”
According to Huseynova, both the FIA and Formula 1 management gave high marks to the organization:
“The Baku City Circuit’s infrastructure, safety measures, and fan services received great appreciation. Around 300 local and international media representatives covered the event. The live broadcast of the main race on ESPN in the United States reached 1.1 million viewers — the highest audience figure for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in American television history.”
She also pointed out a historic moment — for the first time in Formula 1 history, the qualifying session was stopped six times with red flags due to a series of accidents.
“Partnership Until 2030 Is a Sign of Stability”
Referring to the contract extension with Formula 1 until 2030, the BCH official commented on Azerbaijan’s strong position within the global Formula 1 community:
“The extension of the contract once again proves Azerbaijan’s reliable and solid standing within the Formula 1 family. Our priorities in the coming years include enhancing the fan experience, strengthening the Formula 1 atmosphere in our capital, and implementing more sustainability-oriented and eco-friendly initiatives.”
Huseynova added that volunteer programs will be expanded, innovative technological solutions will be introduced in logistics processes, and the Formula 1 spirit in the city will continue to grow stronger.
📍 Source: Report.az – Formula 1 Interview, October 15, 2025
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