The Azerbaijan government has officially confirmed that the country will host a race in Baku in 2016.

Following our previous report, this morning the country's Minister of Youth and Sport, Azad Rahimov, confirmed the deal.

"I am delighted to officially announce that we have signed a contract to bring Formula One racing to Baku in 2016," he said. "Our location at the crossroads of eastern Europe and western Asia is a new frontier for Formula One racing.

"Azerbaijan is a modern European country that has established a reputation as a centre of sporting excellence," he continued. "The deal to bring Formula 1 racing to Baku is a very significant new chapter in our ongoing success to attract the world's largest sporting events to our country."

Other than the fact that it will be a street race (groan), the event, which was largely brokered by Flavio Briatore, who has business interests in Baku, will include numerous "landmarks" (groan).

"We are very happy that Baku has joined the Formula One family," said Bernie Ecclestone. "This will be a street race, which will pass through interesting and picturesque parts of Baku. The event will meet the current Formula One criteria."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Paul C, 11/08/2014 19:33

"The circuit will probably make the Hungaroring look like Monza. Isn't Azerbaijan a stretch to hold the GP of Europe? "

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2. Posted by gturner38, 26/07/2014 0:10

"If they use the track SRO uses, it will be a joke. It's one thing for a race track to have one line, but the Baku circuit has spots where you couldn't park two cars side by side."

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3. Posted by jo6pac, 25/07/2014 19:51

"There's people that think F-1 should not go to Russia then F-1 does this, amazing."

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4. Posted by nonickname, 25/07/2014 14:24

"I am so excited, I did not know that a place called Azerbaijan existed.. now I can look for it on Google Earth.
I really think it is time that the old men in the F1 business,(and this is most of them),just stayed at home and took their medication instead of doing it in public.
Please Bernie, think before you dribble."

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5. Posted by Sennapod, 25/07/2014 11:31

""...has established a reputation as a centre of sporting excellence"

Can someone help me make a list here- a bit like the old game of name 3 famous Belgians

Can't help thinking this will be a damp squib; crappy circuit, no spectator interest, and mired in political and human rights protests....."

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6. Posted by stagecoach66, 25/07/2014 11:01

"I had to double-check the calendar... for a second there I thought it was April Fool's Day."

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Azerbaijan confirms 'Grand Prix of Europe' for 2016

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