The allure of Formula 1 (F1) extends far beyond high-speed racing, breathtaking overtakes, and triumphant victories. For street circuits, an equally impressive aspect is the spectacular transformation of an ordinary city into a world-class sports arena, followed by a return to its original state with almost unbelievable speed. Recently, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, earned the admiration of the global F1 community and tourists alike for its phenomenal “metamorphosis.” Just 40 hours after the checkered flag was waved, the entire massive F1 street circuit had virtually disappeared, making way for the city’s daily life to resume.

F1 – The Traveling Circus and Its Vanishing Act

Kym Illman, a veteran F1 photographer, aptly described Formula 1 as a “traveling circus,” a perfect metaphor for its grand entrance and subsequent swift departure from any given location. The race in Baku, Azerbaijan, concluded at 5 p.m. on Sunday, but by Tuesday morning—approximately 40 hours later—the scene was completely different. Illman took us on a surprising journey, revealing what remained of the race track after the teams and tens of thousands of fans had departed.

The Pit Lane: From Bustling Hub to Empty Space

The Pit Lane, the heart of all activity during an F1 race weekend, is where the atmosphere is most electric. It’s where technical crews work tirelessly and drivers pit for tire changes and strategic adjustments in mere seconds. However, less than two days later, the area was eerily silent. The safety barriers on the pit wall were still in place, but the bustling energy had completely vanished.

All the teams’ equipment had been meticulously packed up. Critical, high-value items were airlifted, while the bulk of the gear was shipped by sea to the next race or back to team headquarters. This highlights the meticulous logistical planning in F1, where teams often maintain multiple sets of equipment, allowing them to “leapfrog” between races without the urgent need to pay air freight costs that can be up to 50 times higher than sea freight.

The massive signage above the garages had been taken down. A few open garages revealed packing containers, with the faint imprint of Alex Albon’s vinyl logo still visible on the floor. The hospitality suites, once lavishly decorated to each team’s specifications, were now completely stripped. In the kitchens, only the organizers’ equipment remained, as catering companies had swiftly packed up their gear. The pit building itself, a massive and complex structure erected on one of Baku’s main roads, was also slated for imminent removal.

Grandstands and Fan Zones: The Last Traces of a Grand Festival

A short distance away, the Fan Zone, once a vibrant hub for thousands of passionate fans, was now marked only by a few beanbag balls scattered across the grass. The grandstands along the Pit Straight still stood tall, and Illman estimated it would take several more weeks to fully dismantle them—a process that had taken many weeks to build up in the first place.

The paddock entrance near the media center, which once featured four swipe gates, had vanished just an hour after the race ended. A massive stack of chairs remained, waiting to be stored for next year’s event. Even the media center at the Hilton Hotel, a ballroom and press conference room temporarily converted for media use, was being returned to its original state.

Legendary Corners: A Swift Return to Normalcy

Kym Illman continued his journey to Baku’s famous corners. The expensive bridge crossing the track at Turn 1, an impressive structure built solely for the F1 event, was now locked up. This underscores the immense cost a city invests in an event that lasts only a few days. However, the striking 15-story artwork on the Marriott hotel remained and was expected to stay for a couple more weeks.

At Turn 2, a tight left-hander, there was absolutely no evidence that an F1 race had just occurred. The heavy concrete barriers and wire fencing had been removed with remarkable speed. Illman noted that very few signs of the race remained on the stretch from Turn 2 to Turn 3. Although some rolled-up wire fencing was still on the ground, it was clear that the cleanup had progressed at an astonishing pace.

This prompted Illman to wonder if other street circuits like Melbourne, Singapore, or Monaco could manage such a quick cleanup. At Turn 3, the only remaining sign of F1 was the red and white paint on the kerbs. Turn 4 was similarly pristine, except for the painted curve at the exit.

At Turn 5, the site of Oscar Piastri’s crash, no trace of the incident remained. Illman recalled how Piastri had walked 40 meters to the outside of the track and sat there for 20 laps—a story Illman had previously detailed in a video about McLaren’s disastrous race.

The Old Town Corners and Local Life

Venturing deeper into the old town, where some of Baku’s most characteristic corners are located, Illman stopped at Friends Cafe on Nizami Street, one of the city’s most beautiful streets near the fortress. There, a local friend corrected his pronunciation of “Baku”—it’s actually “Bach”.

The local residents seemed thrilled to host the race. They believe it has put Azerbaijan on the world map, boosting tourism and allowing visitors to discover the country’s beauty.

Turn 8, one of F1’s most recognizable corners where cars race uphill past the fortress, had also returned to normal. The area where Illman had taken spectacular photos, through small windows in the fencing, was now free of concrete barriers.

The presence of F1 also directly impacted daily life. Shops like Shaky Sweet Home, located behind concrete barriers, were inaccessible from the main entrance during the race weekend. However, they found a workaround by letting customers in through a second-floor entrance. The heavy-duty metal shields, installed by organizers to protect windows, remain in place year-round. But the remaining barriers lining both sides of the street were removed on Monday morning. Even the metal staircase Illman had used to get a higher vantage point behind the fortress wall was gone.

While the grandstands were still intact, organizers had begun the effort to remove the paint from the track surface. At the corner where Charles Leclerc crashed during qualifying, there was no sign of the incident.

An Impression of Sheer Professionalism

Kym Illman expressed his profound admiration for the Baku circuit organizers’ efforts to restore the city to its normal state so quickly. Although some grandstands and concrete barriers were still present, their progress was nothing short of remarkable. Illman shared his enjoyment of the race and his eagerness to return to Baku next year.

The story of Baku is not just about an F1 race; it’s a testament to incredible organization, logistics, and professionalism. It demonstrates that with meticulous preparation and tireless effort, a world-class international event can be hosted magnificently without prolonged disruption to the daily lives of residents. Baku has set a new standard for F1 street circuits, earning the admiration and respect of the entire world.