Baku weekend's slot for Saturday's F1 qualifying session overlaps with the Le Mans 24 Hours event which also starts at the same time.
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Because of the Baku weekend’s later start time, the 7:30 p.m. slot for Saturday’s F1 qualifying session overlaps with the Le Mans 24 Hours event which also starts at the same time in France. Despite the fact that this means racing fans will have to choose between watching Formula One or witnessing the start of sports cars’ most renowned race, Arif Rahimov, the executive director of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, believes the timing is unimportant.
The executive director of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Arif Rahimov thinks that the timing is nothing to be worried about and the audience will be able to enjoy both the racing events. “The most important part of Le Mans is the start of the race. But then the most important part of the qualifying is the end of the qualifying. So I think with that, we can have the TV audience watch both: the start of Le Mans and the end of the qualifying.”
According to Rahimov, there had been little conversation with F1 and the FIA about the direct collision because the Baku schedule was imposed by a distinct set of factors. “The schedule is designed based on a lot of factors. There are our internal factors here and all the other bits and pieces that we have to do on Saturday, like the F2 race.” expressed Rahimov.
“So there is not usually as much choice with how to move things around time wise. But like I mentioned, I’d be disappointed if the start of Le Mans was clashing with the end of the qualifying. Since it’s clashing with the start, I think that will still bring all the spectators in.” added the executive director of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Read more: Azerbaijan GP: Who all have won on the streets of Baku so far?
Baku is on track to sell out this weekend after reopening to spectators, with more international tourists purchasing tickets than before the outbreak of the covid virus. Baku’s spot on the F1 calendar is guaranteed until at least 2024, thanks to a contract extension in 2021. However, its race date may alter in the future, with F1 trying to group events geographically close to optimize travel logistics and sustainability. That implies a duplicate of this year’s Baku Canada double-header is unlikely to happen again.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix starts on 12 June at the Baku city circuit.
