Baku good 'replacement' for Monza - Ecclestone

  • Published on 19 Apr 2015 15:34
  • comments 0
  • By: Jeroen Jonkers
Bernie Ecclestone on Sunday confirmed F1's newest host nation is Azerbaijan.

It was already known that the sport's chief executive had inked a deal for a street race in Baku, the capital of the oil-rich former Soviet country.

But earlier this week, it emerged that the Formula One Group had published a human rights policy vowing to respect "human rights in all of our activities".

But several independent bodies, such as Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly criticised the Azerbaijani government for its human rights record, including arbitrary arrests, indefinite detentions, beatings and torture.

Ecclestone, however, said in Bahrain: "Baku? No problem. That's going to be another good race."

Asked if he had conducted the "due diligence" promised in his the policy, he added: "We have. I think everybody seems to be happy. Doesn't seem to be any big problem there."

It appears Azerbaijan could be on the calendar while the historic Italian grand prix is not, as Monza race organisers are yet to agree a new deal with Ecclestone.

Reporters on Sunday told Ecclestone F1 without Monza is unthinkable.

"I was told that when we didn't have a race in France actually. And Germany now," he said. "We've got some good replacements, haven't we?"

Meanwhile, Ecclestone has been in talks with team bosses this weekend, as he presses his case for louder, cheaper and more powerful engines.

Mercedes' Toto Wolff earlier said the changes are heading for 2017, but Ecclestone said the sport needs to react "with maximum urgency".

"It's no good talking to these people -- they will have to be told," said Ecclestone.

"If its going to be the current engine upgraded to 1000 horse power then good -- and they need to supply it at a price that the team can afford to pay," he added. (GMM)

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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