Red Bull Racing drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen recently got to experience Lada's famously tough SUV by racing against some locals through Azerbaijan's Gobustan Reservation.
For the challenge, Verstappen handles driving duties, and Ricciardo is navigator – although not a very good one since he doesn't know the terrain. The locals are aware of how to avoid the herds of sheep at the reserve and are able to use this knowledge to take a lead in the race, Yahoo Sports reported.
Ricciardo apparently had quite a bit of fun in the Niva and even suggested creating a racing series for them. “I’m talking a dozen Ladas, two dozen pro Lada drivers and just a big derby-off," he said in Red Bull's press release.
"It was a lot of fun. A lot of rocks! But it was a good day. I find it quite fascinating that so close to the sea you have this kind of landscape, it’s really beautiful. We got some fun drifting going, did a bit of filming with the cars and I have to say I enjoyed it. The local guys knew the terrain pretty well but, unfortunately for them, we were just a bit faster," Verstappen said
The 2018 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicked off in Baku today. Drivers will compete on the six kilometer Baku City Circuit. The length of the widest part of the track is 13 meters, and the narrowest width is 7.6 meters between the turns 7 and 8, which are along the Icheri Sheher. The Start and Finish lanes will be located at the Azadlig Square. Moreover, the Formula 1 Paddock, team garages and pit lanes are also located there.
