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Nico Hulkenberg believes that the street circuit in Baku is extra exciting due to the fact that he and his fellow competitors are still learning the track. Azerbaijan made its first appearance on the calendar last season, proving a challenge for many on the build up to the race.
This year, the track will host the very first Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as last year it was dubbed the European Grand Prix, which has previously been held at the likes of Brands Hatch, Valencia and Nurburgring.
"It is still a new venue to Formula 1 which is exciting, we are still getting used to it," Hulkenberg said. "Going through the old town is cool with the narrow walls, but it takes time to learn the track. I am usually good at adapting quickly and learning new tracks and new lines. It is exotic and a bit different here. There are some cool looking, vintage houses around. The old castle brick wall has a blind entry which is unique, Monaco is spacious in comparison!"
Indeed, the second sector contains the tightest corner in the whole Formula 1, with the barriers at turns 8, 9 and 10 only inches away from the cars. Hulkenberg states that it is important to be brave through the tight corners in order to maximise lap time potential.
"There are some walls waiting for you so it is important to be quite brave. The viewing is good for fans and the speed is cool to watch. It is the fastest street circuit on the calendar. Overtaking will be possible with the long, DRS straights. There are a lot of tight, 90-degree turns matched with flat-out kinks, so I am looking forward to racing it. The castle complex of turns 8 to 10 will be especially close with the wider cars.
"It was obviously unfamiliar surroundings last year as we were all new to the track. But I had a positive weekend, qualifying in twelfth place before making up a couple of places in the race to come home in ninth with two points. I remember the first practice session last year and really enjoying the track as it was different and had a bit of everything. The weekend was pleasing so hopefully we can build on that this year, especially with our recent form."
Fergal Walsh
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