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via RacingNews365George Russell's lead erased by safety car in BakuGeorge Russell's advantage during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was nullified when a safety car was deployed. The incident added to the drama of the race, which also saw Franco Colapinto involved in a significant incident for Alpine.
Sat 26 Sep · 12:09 UTC
via RacingNews365Aston Martin faces double retirement in AzerbaijanAston Martin experienced a challenging weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll forced to retire from the race. Alonso reportedly made the decision to retire himself, marking another difficult chapter in the team's season.+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 11:52 UTC
via grandprix.comHadjar plays it safe while wrist recoversIsack Hadjar qualified fourth for the Baku Grand Prix, prioritising his recovery from a wrist injury over maximum performance. He consciously left some speed in reserve to avoid the risk of aggravating his injury, especially given the challenging nature of the street circuit. Hadjar acknowledged that he was still regaining his confidence after missing two months of racing.
Despite qualifying ahead of his teammate Max Verstappen, Hadjar noted that Verstappen's performance was hindered by a technical issue. He completed extensive simulator laps to aid his recovery, but still experienced some discomfort. Hadjar is focused on safely navigating the opening lap and hopes to compete effectively while maintaining the caution he has adopted during his recovery.
via grandprix.comAudi says Baku Q1 exit does not condemn upgradeAudi faced a challenging qualifying session at the Baku Grand Prix, marking the first time in 2026 that both Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were eliminated in Q1. Despite introducing a significant 14-part development package, the team struggled to extract the expected performance, with Hulkenberg noting that they were hindered by a lack of a car ahead to provide a tow on the long straights.
Racing director Allan McNish stated that the team is still learning how to optimise the new upgrades and cautioned against making premature judgments based on a single event. He highlighted that understanding complex upgrades typically requires several races, and the team aims to gather more data to improve their performance moving forward.
via gpfans.comGeorge Russell wins 2026 Azerbaijan Grand PrixGeorge Russell secured victory at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, driving for Mercedes. This win allowed him to reduce Andrea Kimi Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points.
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via F1iBaku Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?In the Baku qualifying session, George Russell dominated, taking pole position with a significant margin of 0.837 seconds over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. This performance highlighted the competitive gap in the 2026 season, as Russell's speed was notably faster than his rivals, with Esteban Ocon clocking the highest speed in the speed trap at 330.1 km/h.
The session was challenging for several drivers, including championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who struggled after crashing into the wall and qualifying 16th. The unique conditions of Baku, including potential safety cars and tricky wind patterns, are expected to play a crucial role in the race strategy, particularly regarding tire management and pit stops.
Sat 26 Sep · 08:42 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri admits what McLaren did to his car in Baku is ‘never a great sign’Oscar Piastri achieved his best qualifying result of the 2026 season by securing P3 for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite facing challenges throughout the weekend. He noted that McLaren had to use cable ties to hold his car together after experiencing issues with loose bargeboards, which he described as 'never a great sign.'
Piastri's performance improved significantly during qualifying after the team removed fuel from his car, allowing him to feel the full benefit of recent upgrades. However, reliability problems plagued McLaren during practice sessions, affecting both Piastri and teammate Lando Norris. Piastri aims to maintain his podium position in the race, although he acknowledges that George Russell and Mercedes are likely to be strong competitors.
Sat 26 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via AutosportVerstappen says Baku was Red Bull's best chance to winMax Verstappen believes that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was Red Bull Racing's best opportunity to secure a victory in the 2026 Formula 1 season. He attributed his poor starting position to an issue with the internal combustion engine.
+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 06:54 UTC
via Motorsport.com"Great job messing it up" – Why Max Verstappen feels Baku was Red Bull's best chance to winMax Verstappen stated that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was Red Bull's best chance to secure a victory in 2026, especially before Mercedes' upcoming upgrade in Malaysia. He expressed disappointment over an engine issue that affected his qualifying performance, resulting in a starting position of eighth instead of a potential front-row spot.
Despite acknowledging Mercedes' current speed and their expected improvements, Verstappen remains determined to fight for a podium finish. He reflected on the challenges faced throughout the season, highlighting his frustration with the team's setbacks while also recognising his passion for the sport.
Sat 26 Sep · 06:53 UTC
via RacingNews365F1 teams facing Baku dilemma as key decision awaitsGeorge Russell achieved pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing qualifying with a best lap time of 1:42.526 seconds. He was followed by Charles Leclerc in second place, while Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar completed the top four. Kimi Antonelli faced a setback, crashing during Q1 and will start from 16th on the grid.
The race strategy is under scrutiny as teams consider their options, with Pirelli suggesting a one-stop strategy due to low tyre wear at Baku. Most front-runners are expected to start on medium tyres, while others may opt for softs in hopes of an early safety car. The probability of a safety car during the race is estimated at 67%, adding complexity to the teams' strategic decisions.Sat 26 Sep · 06:50 UTC
via newsonf1.comTop rivals defend Antonelli after mistakeKimi Antonelli made a significant mistake during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, resulting in a P16 starting position. This error, described as a rare setback in an otherwise strong season, drew immediate support from rivals including Max Verstappen and George Russell, who highlighted Antonelli's youth and previous flawless performances.
Despite the setback, Lando Norris expressed confidence in Antonelli's ability to recover, suggesting he could finish strongly in the race. Meanwhile, Russell's impressive pole position raised questions about the performance gap between Mercedes and Red Bull, with Verstappen's engine issues compounding the team's challenges. The situation has sparked discussions about the current power unit regulations in Formula 1.via newsonf1.comHadjar admits he deliberately held back in BakuIsack Hadjar revealed that he intentionally held back during the Baku qualifying session, prioritising his recovery from a wrist injury. Despite this, he managed to secure a P4 position, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen, who encountered technical issues. Hadjar expressed that while the result was encouraging, it did not reflect his full potential as he aimed to avoid any mistakes that could jeopardise his recovery.
In his comments, Hadjar acknowledged that he felt Verstappen had outperformed him throughout the weekend. He noted that his absence from the previous races hindered his ability to compete for a front-row position. Hadjar reported that his wrist was coping well, and he completed extensive simulator laps to prepare for the race, indicating his confidence in fighting for a strong position if he starts from fourth.
via Motorsport.comFernando Alonso's only goal in no-hope Baku: Save parts for F1's triple-headerFernando Alonso is participating in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with Aston Martin, where he aims to finish the race without errors. Given the team's struggles with Honda's engine performance, Alonso is prioritising the preservation of car parts for the upcoming triple-header of races in Malaysia and Singapore.
Despite qualifying significantly behind the leaders, Alonso noted improvements in the car's setup and expressed optimism about future races. He and teammate Lance Stroll have taken engine penalties, which has affected their grid positions. Alonso is focused on making the most of the less competitive weekends to prepare for more promising circuits.Sat 26 Sep · 06:29 UTC
via Formula1.comBortoleto confused by 'weird' Baku form after Q1 exitGabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg of Audi faced a disappointing qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, both failing to advance past Q1. Bortoleto finished in 17th place while Hulkenberg was 18th, marking a stark contrast to their usual performance this season. Despite the introduction of a significant upgrade package, the team struggled with grip and pace throughout the weekend.
Bortoleto expressed his confusion over the car's performance, noting that while the upgrades seemed effective, they did not translate into improved results. Hulkenberg attributed his exit to a yellow flag that disrupted his qualifying run, but he remains confident that the team can optimise the new upgrades in the coming weeks. Both drivers acknowledged the challenging conditions in Baku, which may have impacted their performance.
Sat 26 Sep · 05:59 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell shines with dominant Azerbaijan GP winGeorge Russell secured a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, showcasing his potential as Mercedes begins to unlock his best performance. His pole position was marked by the largest margin since the Canadian Grand Prix in 2023.+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 05:15 UTC
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc pins hopes on crucial Ferrari trait to challenge in BakuCharles Leclerc is optimistic about Ferrari's race pace as he prepares for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, having secured a surprising second place on the grid despite the team's struggles in free practice. He noted that while the car felt better during qualifying, the significant gap to George Russell remains a concern, particularly regarding straight-line speed and tyre management.
Leclerc highlighted the unpredictability of the car this weekend, which has hindered his ability to take risks on the tight Baku circuit. He remains hopeful that the SF-26 will show its strengths during the race, as it often performs better than in qualifying. Leclerc is determined to give his best effort to challenge for victory against Russell.
Sat 26 Sep · 05:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen expects grid penalty after Baku issuesMax Verstappen has confirmed that he will face a grid penalty later this season due to an engine issue encountered during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, Red Bull's Laurent Mekies has expressed uncertainty about the immediate implications of the engine change.+ 5 moreSat 26 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri: I need a tow bar to hook onto Mercedes to fight for Baku winOscar Piastri qualified third for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but he expressed doubts about his ability to compete with George Russell of Mercedes, who was significantly faster. Piastri's qualifying time was just 0.001 seconds behind Charles Leclerc, but he lagged 0.838 seconds behind Russell, prompting him to jokingly suggest he needed a tow bar to keep up.
Despite a challenging weekend for McLaren, including a brake issue that required unconventional fixes, Piastri was pleased with his qualifying result. He acknowledged that while Mercedes appeared to have a clear advantage, he believed McLaren could still contend with the other teams in the race, especially with Lando Norris starting fifth.Fri 25 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comLando Norris Says Watching McLaren’s 1.5 Second Baku Deficit Felt Like a Knife in the HeartLando Norris expressed disappointment after McLaren finished 1.5 seconds behind the fastest time set by George Russell during the opening practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team encountered issues with the floorboard of their upgraded MCL40, which required a temporary fix using cable ties, leading to lost track time for both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Despite the challenges, McLaren's Chief Technical Officer Rob Marshall indicated that the new components installed on the car showed potential, although they still need to be optimised. Norris highlighted the need for improved pace, stating that comfort in the car means little without competitive lap times, as the team prepares for the next practice session.
Fri 25 Sep · 21:04 UTC
via Formula1.comBetting mistakes to avoid during the Azerbaijan GPThe article provides essential advice for betting on the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, emphasising the importance of using reliable sources for information. It warns against making bets based on personal emotions or biases, highlighting the need to understand betting odds and their implications.
Additionally, the article stresses the significance of considering the historical performance of drivers at the Baku City Circuit and staying informed about team dynamics and performance in the lead-up to the race. This guidance aims to promote safer gambling practices among Formula 1 fans.Fri 25 Sep · 21:04 UTCPage 8 of 16