GPWizard F1 Forum

F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => F1 Experiences => Topic started by: Robem64 on June 22, 2017, 08:15:48 PM

Title: I'm In Baku
Post by: Robem64 on June 22, 2017, 08:15:48 PM
Evening everyone, I'm here in Baku for the GP. Very busy pit lane walk this evening, I will post some photos up when I can on a later posting. Not sure how good/bad the race might be but the venue is absolutely outstanding and if the atmosphere over the weekend is anything like today then it looks like it will build to a crescendo.

More posts as I get chance over the weekend.
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Jericoke on June 22, 2017, 08:23:42 PM
Evening everyone, I'm here in Baku for the GP. Very busy pit lane walk this evening, I will post some photos up when I can on a later posting. Not sure how good/bad the race might be but the venue is absolutely outstanding and if the atmosphere over the weekend is anything like today then it looks like it will build to a crescendo.

More posts as I get chance over the weekend.

Thanks for letting us know.

Make sure you spell GPWizard correctly on your chest when you go streaking on the track in FP3!
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Scott on June 22, 2017, 08:30:22 PM
 :DD :DD. Looking forward to the pictures.  What bleachers are you in?  Hope you have an amazing weekend, and if you manage wifi, drop in on chat for a couple of minutes during the race...always a treat to have a live report.   :good: :good:
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Alianora La Canta on June 22, 2017, 11:18:17 PM
Have a fantastic weekend, Robem64!
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Andy B on June 23, 2017, 04:01:59 AM
Well done Rob can we have a weather report?  ;)
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Robem64 on June 23, 2017, 06:37:17 AM
Thanks for all the comments. There's a lot said about whether there should be a race here in Azerbaijan - e.g. dull track, questionable government etc - but my goodness they put on a cracking weekend. The atmosphere yesterday was tremendous and that's before any cars have been on track. The organisation and staffing is second to none and I'm having a great time.

Seems I mislaid the paint for the chestpainting for the FP3 streak!

I'm in Filarmoniya stand which is on the final section of downhill with hard braking before the last right angled corner heading back to the start finish. Unfortunately no wifi (or data roaming as the charges are extortionate) so no in race comments I'm afraid.

Finally the weather is settled and sunny. Possiby a few clouds for FP1 & 2. No sign of any rain all weekend and looks like race day will be the hottest - 30 deg C so track temperature will be much higher.

Will post a few pics from pit lane walk up to the gallery

Rob

Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: cosworth151 on June 23, 2017, 12:21:48 PM
It sounds like you've got really good seats. I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Many say that it's easier to keep up with what's going on in a race by watching it on TV. That said, there is nothing to compare with the experience of actually being there!  :yahoo:
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Scott on June 23, 2017, 12:22:27 PM
Seems I mislaid the paint for the chestpainting for the FP3 streak!

No worries, you can always borrow some lipstick.  Red stands out nicely and if you can find a burgundy tone, it actually matches the GPW branding quite well.  ;) ;) :D
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on June 23, 2017, 10:04:39 PM
The track width is questionable around the castle, but overall I find it an interesting mix of high and low speed bits. From the results of FP1 & 2, the drivers certainly find it a challenge.
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Andy B on June 23, 2017, 11:34:48 PM
Thanks Rob have a great time.
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on June 24, 2017, 01:23:06 AM
Excerpts from team radios during Baku practice. Cold front tires, overheating rear tires and bad brakes are the themes.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/06/23/2017-azerbaijan-grand-prix-team-radio-highlights-practice/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+f1fanatic+%28F1+Fanatic+-+The+Formula+1+Blog%29 (http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/06/23/2017-azerbaijan-grand-prix-team-radio-highlights-practice/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+f1fanatic+%28F1+Fanatic+-+The+Formula+1+Blog%29)
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Robem64 on June 24, 2017, 02:28:55 AM
It sounds like you've got really good seats. I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Many say that it's easier to keep up with what's going on in a race by watching it on TV. That said, there is nothing to compare with the experience of actually being there!  :yahoo:

I certainly wouldn't argue with saying it is easier to follow a race on TV. That said we have a screen right in front of us and the commentary is very clear too. The experience and atmosphere is what we come for too and the fact Alonso broke down in FP2 right in front of us adds to the experience! Poor Fernando, I think I could hear him composing in his head the "I quit" letter right in front of us.
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Warmwater on June 24, 2017, 03:50:02 AM
Very jealous that you are there. The track is exceptionally challenging for the pilots as it should be, most of the tracks do not present enough difficulties... just go fast with no extreme worries. More tracks with awkward layouts are needed, separate the sheep from the tigers!
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Robem64 on June 25, 2017, 04:47:19 AM
An exciting quali. I'm definitely no LH Fan but he pulled a stunner of a lap out when it mattered most. Pretty close in the rest of the top 10 with good solid performances too from the Force India guys. Stroll deserves a mention as well......strong weekend showing all round from him. Looking forward to the race later. Cloudy start to the morning but destined to be  hot day although will cool off by race time.
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: J.Clark on June 25, 2017, 12:38:29 PM
Lucky you!  I'm very excited for you.  Cos said earlier, the best way to watch a race may be on the tube, but there is absolutely nothing like being there, at any circuit.

I hear the food there is much like that of Turkey.

It is nearly time for the Television coverage of pre-race and then the race.  I guess the pictures will have to wait, but I think you had us all wanting them.

Hoping Lewis mucks up his start so we will not have two races - the Mercs and the rest of the pack.  Ferrari and Red Bull both looked really good all weekend, and Force India is a surprise in the mix up there near the front.
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Robem64 on June 25, 2017, 09:26:31 PM
Well all, I'm back at the hotel lobby and got quite a wait for the taxi to the airport for flight back in the early hours.

Wow, what a race - hope it was as good for all on TV as it was here. Outstanding in every way....and as a Ricciardo fan a perfect end to the weekend. I think the only thing the race didn't have was rain - I can tell you it was sweltering and whilst I didn't streak we did get a brief moment on TV waving our Red Bull flag.

Very pleased Alonso got first points of the season for Mclaren too. He's such a great guy and fully gets the fans. When he broke down right in front of us on Friday despite his disappointment he still had a wave and a smile for the crowd. Today after the race end he slowed and weaved right in front of the stands to acknowledge the crowd.

Finally, we heard all the radio playouts - Hamilton is beginning to sound like quite a moaner when anything is not suiting him. Safety car too slow, should be a VSC, questioning the technical safety call re head restraint, wanting a different way to restart after red flag. Just get on with it man - you don't get special treatment!

Baku truly dispelled it's "boring" race label from last year.
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Scott on June 26, 2017, 06:05:22 AM
Fantastic you had such a good time.  When you are home and rested, tell us about the rest of the weekend.  What other races did they have?  How was the food?  Any hassles and highlights...and upload a few pictures.

Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: cosworth151 on June 26, 2017, 04:02:18 PM
You definitely had a great race for your first trip! 

Like Scott said, we're looking forward to your stories (once you've had a little time to recover  ;)  )
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Robem64 on June 26, 2017, 08:40:23 PM
Not my first trip (done Austin in 2015 and Malaysia last year) but my first trip to Azerbaijan. Got back home a couple of hours ago, need a day or so to recover and sort out photos.

I'll post my thoughts too in the next couple of days - highs and lows. Off to Austin (again) in October and Abu Dhabi too for last race - hope it's a nailbiter!

Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Andy B on June 27, 2017, 01:08:18 AM
Not my first trip (done Austin in 2015 and Malaysia last year) but my first trip to Azerbaijan. Got back home a couple of hours ago, need a day or so to recover and sort out photos.

I'll post my thoughts too in the next couple of days - highs and lows. Off to Austin (again) in October and Abu Dhabi too for last race - hope it's a nailbiter!

Glad you enjoyed your trip Rob would recommend Baku and if so where is a good place to view it from?
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Robem64 on July 01, 2017, 10:14:51 PM
Hectic week back at work so only now time to reflect on last weekend and our trip to Baku.
Baku is a fabulous city - friendly people, spotlessly clean and well maintained and plenty to look at outside of the F1. The old and new city offer an interesting blend. Prices are reasonable as the exchange rate to both the GBP and USD were excellent. Meant the food etc at track was reasonable and in all fairness there was a great selection of food and the quality was good too. Ranging from the typical fast food through to healthy options, salads, juice bars and quality coffee too. There was also lots to do as well....funfair rides a plenty, loads of free entertainment ranging from dance groups to stunt BMX riders etc etc. Really kept you entertained throughout. The weather was outstanding too which helps.

The pitlane walk on Thursday evening was excellent although exceptionally busy and we were in the queue for around 90 mins prior to letting every one in. A stroll along the start finish line and grid and then double back for a walk down the pit lane with many of the teams being very accommodating - many took kids past the barriers to get a picture next to the cars. Excellent for the fans and great atmosphere too. The support racing was Formula 2 only - I'll be honest, it's not something that interests me so I gave these a miss and used the short time we had there to explore a little more of Baku.

I had tickets for race day in the Filarmoniya stand which was kind of stand alone with it's own security entrance. Now this is where the immaturity of the staff and "circuit" shows as the organisation was lacking a little. For example, every other day we'd brought our own water in past security with no issue. Race day we were told it had to be thrown away - the craziness of this being even if we'd brought it five mins previously on the other side of the track they would still make you throw it away. The worst part though in this stand was the toilet facilities - four chemical toilets but none had water for hand washing. They really need to sort that out in future years and also be consistent in security rules and checks.

Having said all that I do get that there's far more to organise and sort when it's a temp track as opposed to a permanent facility.

I loved my time in Azerbaijan and I was so pleased it offered such a great race and spectacle this year. It's a place I would most definitely return to for racing although I'd make sure I went in a stand in the main complex next time.

I'll post a few pics in the gallery which you should be able to see when approved

Rob
Title: Re: I'm In Baku
Post by: Andy B on July 01, 2017, 11:27:11 PM
Thanks for that Rob.  :good:
SimplePortal 2.3.6 © 2008-2014, SimplePortal
Menu Editor Pro 1.0 | Copyright 2013, Matthew Kerle