2016 European Grand Prix
Rosberg wins in Baku, claiming his second career grand slam
The 2016 European Grand Prix (formally known as the 2016 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe) was a Formula One motor race held on 19 June 2016 at the Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was the eighth round of the 2016 season, the twenty-third running of the European Grand Prix as a round of the Formula One World Championship, and the last time the title European Grand Prix was used for a Formula One race. It was the only time the race was held at the circuit and the first Grand Prix held in Azerbaijan.
Quick Facts
- Circuit
- Baku City Circuit
- Date
- June 19, 2016
- Winner
- Lewis Hamilton
- Team
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
- Significance
- First win on a Baku street circuit; critical in 2016 title fight
Lore & Background
Nico Rosberg entered the round holding a nine-point lead in the World Drivers' Championship ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. Their team, Mercedes, led Ferrari by seventy-six points in the World Constructors' Championship. Rosberg won the race—his first win since the Russian Grand Prix—extending his championship lead to twenty-four points. Sebastian Vettel finished second, with Force India driver Sergio Pérez completing the podium. Mercedes extended their lead over Ferrari to eighty-one points in the Constructors' Championship. Valtteri Bottas recorded the highest ever clocked speed in an official Formula One session, at 378 km/h during qualifying, breaking the previous record of 369.6 km/h set by Antônio Pizzonia at Monza during the 2004 Italian Grand Prix.
Reader's Guide
The race featured two drag reduction system (DRS) zones: the first on the main straight and the second on the parallel back straight between turns 2 and 3. Tyre supplier Pirelli made the supersoft, soft and medium compounds available. The circuit passed its final inspection in May 2016. Support events included the third round of the 2016 GP2 Series championship.
More in Iconic Races & Moments
Elsewhere in Mercedes F1
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced