F1: Baku Grand Prix – as it happened
The eighth round of the European Grand Prix successfully wrapped up on the cost of the Caspian Sea -- Baku, where Azerbaijan’s capital demonstrated how to stage a new Grand Prix, treating race fans and the F1 fraternity to the warmest of welcomes and to a truly remarkable circuit.
The largest city on the Caspian Sea has always impressed with its natural and cultural beauty -- the gorgeous European architecture backing out onto the blues of the Caspian.
In the past years Baku has been staking its claim as a major cultural and entertainment player. After major international events such as Eurovision 2012, Baku European Games 2015, Baku welcomed one of the oldest and most prestigious races in all of motorsport -- Formula 1 European Grand Prix holding in the capital on June 17-19.
The official 2016 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe Trophy was presented by Baku City Circuit (BCC) after the first ever F1 race was staged in Azerbaijan.
The newest race on the Formula 1 Calendar saw the arrival of the newest street circuit in in the sport, when the world’s greatest drivers arrived in Azerbaijan known as the Land of Fire – last weekend.
Baku is a nation that is growing at an epic speed, while still staying true to its rich heritage. The 2016 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe trophy has been especially designed to reflect this fusion of the old and the new, the modern and the ancient that makes Baku such a unique host venue for the world’s most glamorous and exciting sport.
Baku is defined by its stunning Old Town – a UNESCO heritage site - as well as its flourishing downtown streets, booming with high end designer shops, wonderful restaurant and bars and surrounded by elaborate architectural developments that give this city its inimitable flavor that has seen it described as the ‘Paris of the East’.
All of the above factors have been used as inspiration in the design of the four sterling silver trophies (1st, 2nd & 3rd place Drivers and Constructors Title) that have been created for the inaugural F1 race in Baku.
The trophy design reflects a traditional carpet wrapped in a silver column, positioned and engraved with a red inner gold plate to give the appearance of a flame - the symbol of Azerbaijan - when viewed from the front. The columns sit on an enameled sea, representing the Caspian Sea, with a gilded laurel border denoting victory. Resting on the silver base, three, coloured rings denote the national flag with the F1 logo inscription facing to the front.
Its form and design has been tailored specifically to encapsulate the country’s cultural heritage and identity via artistic interpretations of the the heavily symbolic national elements of Fire, Wind & Water, structured around the concepts of Unity & Progress. In doing so, the trophy design marries all these elements together to represent the passion, vitality, togetherness and ambition of the Azerbaijani people.