Baku waiting for Formula 1 circuit approval from FIA

Plans have been submitted for the event, to be known as the European Grand Prix and scheduled to take place on July 15-17 next year in the country's capital city Baku.

The Hermann Tilke-designed circuit runs for 6.05kilometres and features 20 turns, with one particular section encircling the old part of the city

Regarding the progress of the track, Baku Grand Prix CEO Arif Rahimov told AUTOSPORT: "There are a few minor changes to be implemented which are to be discussed, they are not confirmed yet.

"We're trying to reduce the number of structures necessary for the race to make sure we can easily install and remove them.

"In terms of the layout it is agreed. The design is complete.

"We've sent it to [the FIA for] homologation, but it still hasn't come back. It hasn't been passed yet.

"But we're quite sure it should be OK. Even if there are a few tweaks in some of the corners that won't affect the general layout."

Rahimov has confirmed discussions are ongoing with numerous federations with regard to the marshalling of the grand prix.

The Baku race chief was in Monaco earlier this year to see and understand how F1's blue-riband street race is organised and marshalled, and he is also planning to attend the Singapore Grand Prix in September to further expand his learning.

"At the moment we are talking to a few different federations trying to work out who we are going to work with with regard to training [the marshals]," Rahimov added.

"This is ongoing and we will probably make our decision within the next month or two.

"We will definitely have a federation helping us for the first year or two.

"Hopefully by the end of the year we'll have a strong team of officials and marshals of our own."