“We would like to go back to June in 2019, we’re happy with it. In general, the June date works well. It’s probably more or less the best weather we can have, it’s hot under the sun, but once you go in the shadow, it’s OK,” said Baku promoter Arif Rahimov about being moved to April on the 2018 F1 season calendar.
A major event slated in June which will use the square which is part of the paddock area had the Azerbaijan GP promoter asking for a different date for the following season.
“We asked to move to an earlier slot because we want to use the square for a parade on the June date next year for the 100th anniversary of the republic. And then in July onwards the European season is too dense, we cannot fit in there.
Baku has consequently taken on the slot of the Russian GP on April 29, while Sochi has been switched to later this year, after the summer’s football World Cup.
Rahimov hopes that fan attendance won’t be affected by the date change. Thanks to more overseas visitors, attendance has been up 30% in the first European GP compared to last year.
“At the end of April it can get down to 14-15C. It’s not freezing cold, but it’s not T-shirt weather…As long as we provide all the entertainment and everything works out, I don’t think this shift will really affect spectator attendance. It’s gone up this year quite a bit.”
Nonetheless Rahimov acknowledged a move back to June in 2019 would be post a challenge as the race has been bundled with flyaways.
“You never know, perhaps they’ll stretch the calendar to the beginning of March or something. With the current arrangement it’s hard.”
