A future Grand Prix in Azerbaijan?
Bernie Ecclestone is about to finalize a deal to bring Formula 1 to Azerbaijan. Flavio Briatore, who has established part of his business activities in the country, would assist the Briton in this venture.
Formula 1 continues to expand its presence to new horizons. While this year, the return of the Austrian Grand Prix is somewhat paradoxical, the arrival of Formula 1 in Russia clearly demonstrates Bernie Ecclestone’s desire to globalize the discipline.
For over a year now, Formula 1’s main financier has been negotiating to bring the discipline to Azerbaijan, a former Soviet state at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. The capital, Baku, is expected to host the race. The street circuit laid out in the metropolis already hosts a round of the FIA GT Series championship.
To successfully carry out his project, Ecclestone has approached Flavio Briatore, who recently established his fashion business in Baku. The former sporting director of Benetton and Renault is even nicknamed there “The Bling-Bling King of Azerbaijan.” If the deal goes through, the dashing Italian would pocket a seven-figure bonus as a commission agent, as noted by the British daily *The Daily Mail*.
For his part, Ecclestone claims that the race could well take place in the near future, by 2015: « We will go to Azerbaijan. People here are talking about 2015. It may be a bit early unless it’s at the end of the season. It remains a possibility. But 2016 is more likely. »
With the Russian Grand Prix, this closer relationship between Formula 1 and the former Soviet bloc raises quite a few questions about the relations between Bernie Ecclestone and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Brit dismisses political considerations with a wave of his hand to focus solely, as usual, on the single commercial aspect: “I have no problem with Vladimir. He hosted very good Winter Olympics and we get along very well.”
