Azerbaijan relaxes visa rules ahead of Grand Prix

Azerbaijan Grand Prix. September 2024.
Reuters

Azerbaijan has introduced new relaxed visa rules aimed at streamlining entry into the country for everyone planning to attend the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

In a new order signed by the country’s President Ilham Aliyev, the duration for the revised visa procedures run from 25th August to 30th September.


Under the new rules, foreigners arriving for the sporting event can obtain a visa on arrival at the country’s borders. 


They must also present any of the following documents to be able to take part in the relaxed rules 
- proof of permanent accreditation by Formula One Management Limited or the International Automobile Federation. 
- proof of accreditation with Baku City Circuit Operations Company. 
- a ticket for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Baku (or a document confirming the purchase of a ticket).

The South Caucasus country has hosted the Formula 1 race since 2016 in its capital Baku. 


Dubbed the most unique of all Formula 1 races, Baku boasts one of the longest flat-out straights in F1 (about 2.2 km or 1.4 miles), allowing cars to hit top speeds well over 350 km/h (217 mph), which is very unusual for a street track.


The track also winds through the very narrow, historic part of the city, including a section that narrows down to just 7.6 meters (25 feet) as it goes past the medieval city walls (Icheri Sheher). This section requires extreme precision and has zero room for error. 


Azerbaijan Grand Prix  is a street circuit, meaning the track is made up of public roads in the city, but it is not like the slow, tight Monaco street circuit.


The highly anticipated sporting event draws in thousands of people yearly to the country. 

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