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Carlos Sainz has said he is looking forward to Formula One's first ever race in Azerbaijan, and has drawn parallels between F1's newest track and the iconic Guia Circuit, host of the Macau Grand Prix.
Sainz, who had a best finish of seventh in Macau in 2012, has compared the two circuits' tight natures, although his only real experience of the Baku City Circuit so far has been on the simulator.
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"I'm really looking forward to this race even if, to be honest, I don't know what to expect," said the Toro Rosso driver. "I've driven this track a few times on the sim, but experiencing a new circuit for the first time is always an exciting challenge," he said of the race."
"The first four turns are all 90-degree corners. Then, from Turn 5 onwards, it starts to get very interesting. It reminds me a lot of the Macau circuit: the section from Turn 7 to 12 is very similar to its tight section, while the long straight that goes from the exit of Turn 16 all the way to Turn 1 is very like its straight."
With a 2.2 kilometre long straight, drivers are set to achieve some of the highest speeds of the year this weekend, something he believes will make braking difficult.
"The top speed here in Baku should be one of the highest of the season and it looks like you are flat out from the exit of Turn 16 all the way to the first corner! I think that the braking at Turn 15 will be tricky – at least it was on the sim!"
"I can't say much more as I've never been there," he added. "I just hope it's actually as nice as Macau, which I've always regarded as the most iconic track and it would be great for Formula 1 to have a circuit like it."
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
I. Hadjar
A. Antonelli
C. Leclerc
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