Tilke to start work on Baku layout

Jun.30 (GMM) Once considered an unlikely fit for formula one, Azerbaijan is racing into its grand prix future.

Bernie Ecclestone has inked a deal for a street race in Baku, the oil-rich former Soviet country's capital, and asked if it is going ahead, the F1 supremo insisted: "Yep. Sure.

"It's going to be great. People are going to love that place."

And the country may not be content to just host a race, as the sports minister has said the government is willing to back either an "Azerbaijan team or sponsorship" of an existing F1 outfit.

As for the street layout, F1 circuit builder Hermann Tilke said he is ready to start construction now that the European Games have ended.

"Of course they didn't want to have a big construction site in the city during the Games," he told Sports Business Global.

It is believed the inaugural race, to have the title 'Baku European grand prix', will take place mid next July.

Tilke said: "We are doing some unusual things there. We are going around the old city with the track. It will be fantastic."