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via Formula1.comThe F1 Fantasy Strategist on Baku, Sepang and SingaporeFormula 1 is set for a challenging triple header with races in Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Singapore. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on a Saturday, while the Bahrain Grand Prix marks a return to Sepang after a long absence. Singapore will introduce its first Sprint weekend, adding to the excitement and complexity for F1 Fantasy players as they strategise their line-ups.
Key drivers to watch include Max Verstappen, who has a strong record in Baku, and Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship with consistent performances. Mercedes remains a top choice for fantasy points, while McLaren shows promising form. Players are encouraged to consider their strategies carefully, especially with the tight deadlines and potential weather challenges during the races.
Tue 22 Sep · 15:16 UTC
via f1technical.netIsack Hadjar returns to Red Bull at Azerbaijan Grand PrixIsack Hadjar has confirmed his return to Formula 1 with Red Bull at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury. During practice, Hadjar expressed satisfaction with the performance of his upgraded car, stating it felt better than during his last outing in Hungary.
+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel clash: 'He disgraced himself' - ThrowbackDuring the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a dramatic incident occurred between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel when Vettel collided with Hamilton's car while behind the safety car. Hamilton accused Vettel of brake-testing him and described his actions as disgraceful, leading to a penalty for Vettel after an investigation confirmed Hamilton had not braked unusually.
Despite the penalty, Vettel managed to finish fourth, extending his championship lead over Hamilton, who finished fifth after suffering a separate issue with his car. The race was ultimately won by Daniel Ricciardo, while Lance Stroll secured his first podium finish.
Tue 22 Sep · 13:40 UTC
via the-race.comHow each active F1 rear wing concept works - Gary Anderson explainsThe article explains the workings of active rear wing concepts in Formula 1, particularly under the new regulations introduced for the 2026 season. It highlights the importance of transitioning between cornering and straight-line modes, which must occur within 0.4 seconds, and discusses the mechanisms drivers use to activate these modes.
Gary Anderson details four main concepts developed by teams, including those from Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Alpine, and Audi. Each concept has unique operational functions and aims to balance downforce and drag for optimal performance. The article concludes by noting that Mercedes' design has shown the best results so far, while teams continue to innovate for the upcoming season.
Tue 22 Sep · 12:59 UTC
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan Grand Prix weather: What is the risk of rain in Baku this weekend?The weather forecast for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix indicates a dry weekend with varying wind conditions. Thursday's practice sessions are expected to be sunny with temperatures between 26-27°C and no chance of rain. However, Friday's sessions may experience high winds, with gusts reaching up to 40mph, while air temperatures will drop to around 23°C for qualifying.
On Saturday, race day, conditions are predicted to be calmer with gusts of up to 15mph and sunny weather at 24°C. Historically, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has not seen wet conditions, maintaining a trend of dry races over the past decade, which adds to the excitement of this challenging circuit.
Tue 22 Sep · 12:59 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren call on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to execute three 'essentials' in BakuMcLaren has outlined three key requirements for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team is set to implement a major aerodynamic upgrade to enhance the performance of their MCL40 cars, particularly focusing on airflow around the floor and rear tyres to improve balance on the circuit's long straights.
Rob Marshall, McLaren's chief technical officer, emphasised the unique challenges posed by Baku's layout, which combines the longest straight in Formula 1 with tight corners. He stressed the importance of energy, tyre, and brake management, as well as the need for confidence and precision from the drivers to navigate the demanding street circuit successfully.Tue 22 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via Formula1.comWhat tyres will the teams have for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?Pirelli has announced the tyre compounds for the upcoming 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which will take place in Baku. The selected compounds include the C3 as the hard tyre, C4 as the medium, and C5 as the soft, marking a step down from the previous year's selection. Drivers will be allocated two sets of hard tyres, three sets of medium, and eight sets of soft tyres, along with access to intermediate and full wet tyres if needed.
The circuit has seen some resurfacing in specific areas, which may affect grip levels initially. However, the smooth asphalt is expected to result in low wear and degradation, making a one-stop strategy likely. Pirelli anticipates that track evolution will be significant throughout the weekend, and while some graining may occur, it is not expected to impact performance decisively.Tue 22 Sep · 09:32 UTC
via RaceFansKey technical updates ahead of Azerbaijan Grand PrixThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix will feature several significant technical updates, including a new chassis and returning parts. Teams are also expected to implement engine changes and refined deployment strategies as they prepare for the race.
+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 06:15 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA makes key Baku decision for Azerbaijan Grand PrixThe FIA has announced that the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix will feature two Straight Mode zones, enhancing the racing dynamics at the Baku City Circuit. This decision comes as the race is scheduled for Saturday, 24 September 2026, to avoid a clash with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The race weekend will see free practice sessions on Thursday, followed by qualifying on Friday.
In addition to the new SM zones, this race will mark the debut of active aero technology, which allows drivers to adjust their rear wings for better performance on straights. Notably, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, both previous winners of the Azerbaijan GP, will compete, with Red Bull aiming to extend its record of success at this venue.Tue 22 Sep · 05:13 UTC
via Formula1.com5 drivers most likely to win in AzerbaijanThe betting odds for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix have been published, highlighting the drivers most likely to secure victory. Among the frontrunners are Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, both of whom are considered strong contenders for the win.
Charles Leclerc is also listed with competitive odds, indicating that he could be a significant threat in the race. The odds reflect the drivers' performances and standings leading up to the event, shaping expectations for the upcoming race.Mon 21 Sep · 20:50 UTC
via Formula1.comBaku Street Circuit marks 10 years of memorable momentsThe Baku Street Circuit celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, highlighting a decade filled with notable off-track moments. Fans can reflect on the wild and unpredictable events that have characterised the venue since its inaugural race.Mon 21 Sep · 16:22 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton denies demands for Ferrari changesLewis Hamilton has strongly denied rumours suggesting he is requesting changes at Ferrari. The claims come as Max Verstappen continues to build momentum ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.Mon 21 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Baku low-drag mastery points to one F1 team to fear in Azerbaijan GPMercedes arrives in Baku with strong momentum from recent races, particularly excelling in low-drag setups that suit the Azerbaijan Grand Prix's demands. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are highlighted as key drivers to watch, with the W17 car demonstrating an effective balance of downforce and speed, crucial for the long straights and tight corners of the Baku circuit.
In contrast, Red Bull's Max Verstappen has shown improvement, podiuming in four of his last five races, making them a credible threat. Meanwhile, McLaren is reallocating engineering resources to support Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari's performance is under scrutiny due to concerns over their straight-line speed, which could hinder their competitiveness in Baku.Mon 21 Sep · 10:50 UTC
via newsonf1.comMcLaren to test new H-wing at Baku for 2026 plansMcLaren will introduce a new version of its H-wing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as part of its ongoing development for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The performance of this upgrade will influence the team's decision on whether to continue its 2026 development alongside the 2027 car.
via RacingNews365FIA confirms Saturday race for Azerbaijan Grand PrixThe FIA has announced that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on a Saturday, a decision that has raised concerns among Formula 1 teams. The Baku City Street Circuit, known for its long straight, may present significant challenges for the teams during the event.Sun 20 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren engineers think they have fix for one key ‘weakness’ of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s carMcLaren is preparing to introduce significant upgrades for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, focusing on enhancing the performance of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's MCL40 car. These upgrades include a new underbody and a modified version of their Macarena rear wing, aimed at improving the car's aerodynamics, particularly in slow-speed corners where the team has identified weaknesses. The decision on which rear wing to use will be made after practice sessions in Baku.
The upgrades come after a challenging 2025 Azerbaijan GP for both drivers, where Piastri faced multiple issues, including a crash and a poor start. Despite these setbacks, McLaren's engineers are optimistic that the new aerodynamic package will allow Norris and Piastri to compete for pole position. Recent performances have shown that the MCL40 is competitive in medium-speed turns, and the team is looking to build on this momentum as they head into the race weekend.
Sat 19 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via gpfans.comFerrari considers grid penalty for Charles Leclerc in BakuFerrari team principal Fred Vasseur indicated that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix could be an appropriate time for Charles Leclerc to incur an engine grid penalty. The team is evaluating the potential benefits of this strategy ahead of the race weekend.
+ 1 moreSat 19 Sep · 14:58 UTC
via F1iWilliams warns Baku upgrades ‘wont be enough for points’Williams F1 Team is set to bring a major upgrade package to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, aiming to improve the performance of its FW48 car. Despite this effort, team principal James Vowles has tempered expectations, indicating that the upgrades are unlikely to result in immediate points finishes. The team has struggled throughout the 2026 season, managing only 11 points so far and sitting ninth in the constructors' standings, ahead of only Aston Martin and Cadillac.
Vowles emphasized that the challenges faced this year stem from decisions made during the winter, which will continue to impact the team's performance. He expressed that while the new parts may lead to incremental improvements, they will not be sufficient to elevate the team into contention for points in the short term. Looking ahead, Vowles is optimistic about making progress next season, but acknowledges that rebuilding competitiveness will require patience and a methodical approach.
Sat 19 Sep · 10:47 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMercedes' U-turn on Baku decision shows how little faith they have in George Russell's title chargeMercedes has decided not to give George Russell a new engine during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, opting instead to keep his current power unit in use until the United States Grand Prix. This decision aligns with their strategy to introduce a chassis upgrade at the end of October, which will coincide with the new engine. The team appears to be prioritizing this timing over Russell's immediate championship prospects, indicating a lack of confidence in his ability to compete for the title this season.
Despite still being mathematically in the championship race, Russell's performance has been overshadowed by teammate Kimi Antonelli, leading to speculation about his future with the team. Toto Wolff's comments suggest that Russell should shift his focus to the 2027 season, further emphasizing the team's diminished expectations for his current title challenge. The delay in providing Russell with a new engine is seen as a clear signal of Mercedes' lack of faith in his competitiveness this year.Fri 18 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1technical.netHow will the revised F2 schedule affect F1’s Baku weekend?The FIA Formula 2 Championship will introduce a unique weekend format for Round 12 of the 2026 season at the Baku City Circuit, with the Azerbaijan round featuring an additional Qualifying session and a second Feature Race.Fri 18 Sep · 10:16 UTCPage 15 of 16