F1: Azerbaijan GP Pre-Race ceremony lauded

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The Formula 1 world was impressed after hearing the host country’s “hauntingly beautiful” national anthem ahead of Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Local singer Aisel led a gorgeous rendition of the former Soviet state’s national anthem before the start of the race. Her performance came complete with dynamic costume changes for back-up vocalists in the bright blue, red and green of the Azerbaijan flag.

#F1 #AzerbaijanGP 🏎️🏁 awards ceremony opening with the National Anthem of #Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
pic.twitter.com/WWYr0iTYhF

— The Azeri Times (@AzeriTimes) April 30, 2023

One Twitter user said “one thing was fully confirmed this weekend … the national anthem of Azerbaijan is an absolute banger.”

Another said it was “the best anthem of all the countries hosting F1 races.”

Sports Illustrated F1 editor Alex Harrington called Aisel’s performance “insane”.