Press secretary and the head of the Marketing and Communication Department in the `Baku Grand Prix` Nigar Arpadarai gave an interview to AzVision.az. Ms. Arpadarai made interesting points regarding Baku Grand Prix in the interview.

Could you tell more about company`s history, projects and the organizing team?

Baku Grand Prix as a commercial company is an organizer of F1 Grand Prix, which will be held in Azerbaijan in 2016 and we cooperate with `Formula One Management` (FOM).Note that, organizing company is called a promoter and F1 Grand Prix encompasses all kind of organizational and promotional tasks regarding this event. Previously our main task was to involve employees with high qualification. Now this goal has been accomplished. All management positions have been held, most of our employees have started their work and we are fully ready to overcome all barriers and implement set goals.

The next year we will start involving volunteers as well.

How the preparation process is going on?

Preparation for Baku Grand Prix is underway and we meet all the deadlines in our schedule. The project of the public transport routes going through the city center will be drawn by German company Tilken. The city circle project has been finalized and presented to the International Automobile Federation for the confirmation. Aftermath construction phase will be launched.

What has been done so far and what are you plans?

Now we are waiting the circle project to be confirmed, as I noted before. Moreover, we are negotiating with the International Automobile Federation on the training of marshals. Marshals play an important role in the F1 races, as they stay in a special destinations along the race route and notify about possible threats. This training will be arranged within several months.

What will distinguish Grand Prix held in Baku?

We will host traditional city Grand Prix, as previously Monako Singapour and other cities did. However, it is special because Baku will host the 10th Grand Prix of the middle of the F1 calendar, where teams from 20 countries will take part. Race automobiles will cross along the Baku boulevard and keep going around the Icharishahar historical-monument, which is in the list of UNESCO`s world heritage. F1 automobile races is being watched by 500 million people on TV and thereby all their attention will be focused on Baku. They will be able to see our city.

Is there any new construction in your plans?

Azerbaijan hosted many international events. Necessary infrastructure has already been created. New hotels, sport venues, roads were constructed during the preparation period of Eurovision song contest, World and European Championships, Baku-2015 European Games and other events. In a nutshell, Baku is completely ready to host F1 fans in 2016.

From the perspective of sport, 6 km circled race route will be built in the city center. Therefore, we should arrange it perfectly. According to our schedule city roads within that 6km route will be repaired, if necessary new asphalt base will be laid. Obviously, city roads renovated to a high standard F1 route will serve Baku citizens after the Grand Prix. Stone, materials on the streets will be covered with special layer and will be removed afterwards.

When exactly F1 Grand Prix will be held?

The tournament will be held in June, 2016. Preliminary date is 17th of July, but the exact date will be announced in December.

How Baku will surprise F1 Fans?

Beside TV broadcasting many fans will come to watch the Grand Prix in Baku. They will feel the spirit of conjunction of modern and ancient cultures here.

Will Azerbaijan sportsmen attend this event?

We hope that interest in automobile sport will increase in Azerbaijan after the Baku Grand Prix. I am confident that by the next Grand Prix number of automobile sport fans in Azerbaijan will drastically grow. However, we don`t have to forget that it takes years to train a professional sportsman even in the traditional sport brunches. This principle is the same for all countries.

Which world famous sportsmen will attend this event?

Current F1 teams are in the process of formulating their teams for 2016. Last negotiations are underway. Generally, I can say, almost all currently racing famous F1 pilots will be in Baku in July.

Will F1 Grand Prix have an amazing opening and closing ceremony as we witnessed in Baku-2015 European games? If so, which heads of states will be invited? Where the ceremony will be held?

Of course, we are going to organize amusement and informative events in F1 village for local and international fans, sportsmen, guests. We will do everything to create confident, safe, funny and memorable atmosphere. However the fact should be taken into account that it is one of the first Grand Prix of 2016. Therefore, such opening and closing ceremonies are not typical for F1

Will we see foreign singers in the village?

As you know, we plan to arrange amazing entertaining events for F1 fans and local visitors. Let’s keep singers` names in a secret.

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