Charlie Whiting praises 'superb' Baku City circuit

©Tilke

FIA Formula 1 race director and Safety Delegate Charlie Whiting conducted another track inspection in Baku City ahead of the European Grand Prix set to take place on June 19.

With the Azerbaijan race weekend just ten days away, and teams set to fly directly from Montreal to Baku, Whiting undertook a final look at the new infrastructure and its facilities, and came away quite impressed.

"I was very encouraged by the huge amount of work that has been done since my last visit," Whiting said.

" I’m pleasantly surprised to see just how much of the circuit is complete. We spent 4 or 5 hours walking around the track examining every bit of it."

While Baku City Circuit has completed the bulk of the work for its entry on the Grand Prix calendar, workers and staff are now proceeding with the installation of technical equipment in the pit complex and paddock building.

" In general, I must say that the standards of the circuit built so far are absolutely superb and personally I am getting quite excited about the idea of coming here to race in a week’s time."

The 6.00 km twenty-turn lay-out, the second longest in F1 after Spa, was designed by the sport's resident architect Hermann Tilke.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.