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via racer.comPiastri's third in Baku signals McLaren's progressOscar Piastri secured third place in qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, indicating positive development for McLaren's performance. Team principal Andrea Stella noted that Piastri is adapting well to the MCL40, despite Lando Norris facing challenges during the session.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 18:46 UTC
via Motorsport.comWilliams’ long-awaited F1 upgrade is delivering in Baku – but was Q3 an “overachievement”?Williams Racing has celebrated its best qualifying result of the 2026 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Carlos Sainz achieving 9th place in qualifying. This improvement comes after the introduction of a new chassis that has addressed the car's previous weight issues, allowing for better performance on the track.
Despite the positive outcome, both Sainz and Alexander Albon expressed caution regarding the upgrade's potential, noting that the car's handling remains a concern. Albon highlighted the need for further aerodynamic improvements as they prepare for the upcoming races in Malaysia and Singapore, which feature different track characteristics.
Fri 25 Sep · 18:36 UTC
via racer.com'Shocked' Russell credits thumping pole to growing confidenceGeorge Russell expressed surprise at his commanding pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, attributing his success to growing confidence in his Mercedes car. He dominated qualifying with a margin of 0.837 seconds, the largest of the season, and topped two of the three practice sessions leading up to the event.
Despite acknowledging the impact of teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli's crash in Q1, Russell has shown impressive form since the midseason break, consistently qualifying at the front. Mercedes deputy principal Bradley Lord praised Russell's performance, noting his composed approach throughout the weekend. Russell himself feels a surge of confidence, which he believes is crucial for maintaining performance on the track.Fri 25 Sep · 18:18 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson pins Baku struggles on 'frustrating' area: 'We’re a lot worse now'Liam Lawson expressed frustration over his qualifying performance for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he will start from 12th position. He attributed his struggles to the Racing Bulls' lack of straight-line speed, which hindered his ability to compete for a top 10 spot alongside teammate Arvid Lindblad.
Despite the disappointing qualifying result, Lawson remains optimistic about the race, stating that he would love to score points. He acknowledged that while the team has made progress with the car, they are currently at a disadvantage compared to other teams with more powerful engines, particularly on tracks with long straights.
Fri 25 Sep · 18:15 UTC
via PlanetF1Lawson reveals drivers ‘respected’ rules after ‘dangerous’ Hamilton near-missLiam Lawson reported that Formula 1 drivers adhered to the rules during qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, following a dangerous near-miss with Lewis Hamilton in practice. Lawson, who qualified 12th, had a close encounter with Hamilton, who was on an out-lap, while Lawson was attempting a flying lap. The incident prompted discussions among drivers and a warning from F1 race director Rui Marques about managing traffic gaps on the track.
During a driver briefing, Lawson noted that everyone understood the necessary gaps to avoid similar incidents, and he felt that the drivers respected these guidelines during qualifying. Despite his P12 finish, Lawson expressed frustration with the car's performance, particularly on straights, and acknowledged the challenges faced compared to other teams. Meanwhile, George Russell achieved pole position with a significant margin.
Fri 25 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Lando Norris adopts 'pole or die trying' mindsetLando Norris expressed his determination to secure pole position during a challenging qualifying session in Azerbaijan. The McLaren driver admitted he is in a 'pole or die trying' situation as the season progresses.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 17:21 UTC
via Motorsport.comEsteban Ocon expresses frustration over tough seasonEsteban Ocon has voiced his dissatisfaction with the challenges he has faced during the 2026 Formula 1 season with Haas. Following his exit in Q2 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ocon attributed his struggles to yellow flags and stated, "I don’t deserve all this s**t."+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 17:04 UTC
via F1iPiastri ‘surprised’ by Baku P3 qualifying paceOscar Piastri qualified third for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, surprising himself with the pace after a subdued practice session for McLaren. Piastri briefly held second place during qualifying, while Lando Norris finished fifth after a costly lock-up on his final attempt. George Russell took pole position, with Charles Leclerc just ahead of Piastri by a narrow margin.
Piastri remarked on McLaren's tendency to find extra performance during qualifying, contrasting with their practice struggles. Norris, while pleased with his driving, pointed out underlying car issues that limited his performance. Both drivers are now looking to convert their qualifying positions into a strong race performance, despite uncertainties about their race pace.
Fri 25 Sep · 17:02 UTC
via gpfans.comKimi Antonelli faces pressure ahead of Azerbaijan GPKimi Antonelli, the current leader in the Formula 1 standings, is under scrutiny as he approaches the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Concerns have been raised about the potential for a repeat of last year's situation, where Oscar Piastri, the previous points leader, faced difficulties.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:57 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc blames Ferrari’s F1 car for destroying his ‘strength’ at the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCharles Leclerc has attributed his disappointing performance during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to the unpredictability of his Ferrari SF-26. Despite qualifying in second place, he was significantly outpaced by George Russell, who took pole position by a margin of eight and a half tenths of a second.
Leclerc noted that he struggled to maintain his usual precision and risk-taking ability due to the car's inconsistent behaviour, particularly in the tight and twisting sectors of the Baku City Circuit. He acknowledged that while Ferrari's straight-line speed had improved, the overall performance of the car hindered his strengths during qualifying.
Fri 25 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via Formula1.comWhy Ocon ‘might need to take a good shower’ after QualifyingEsteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman faced disappointment during the Baku Qualifying session, both narrowly missing out on a place in Q3. Ocon was particularly frustrated as his final Q2 run was ruined by a yellow flag, leaving him in P14 despite showing potential for a top 10 finish earlier in the session.
Bearman, who finished P11, acknowledged the positives in their performance but lamented the timing of the yellow flag that affected his lap. Both drivers expressed mixed emotions about their improved pace, with Ocon hinting at his uncertain future and Bearman remaining optimistic about opportunities in the race.
Fri 25 Sep · 16:20 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris calls for McLaren investigation after BakuLando Norris has urged McLaren to investigate a technical issue that affected his car's top speed during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying, where he finished fifth. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the concern regarding the car's performance compared to Mercedes.+ 3 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:10 UTC
via CrashIsack Hadjar claims he could have qualified second in BakuIsack Hadjar qualified fourth for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but believes he could have secured a front-row start if he had not missed the last three races. The Red Bull driver expressed confidence in his performance, stating that a better grid position was achievable.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:08 UTC
via Motorsport WeekRed Bull admits Max Verstappen issue cannot be fixedRed Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged that the team is unable to resolve a persistent issue affecting Max Verstappen's car. The problem is expected to remain unresolved until at least 2027.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGeorge Russell secures pole position in BakuGeorge Russell achieved pole position for the 2026 Baku Grand Prix after a dominant qualifying session. He attributed his success to newfound 'intuitive' driving, marking a significant moment in his championship campaign.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via F1iVerstappen calls Baku qualifying a disasterMax Verstappen expressed frustration over his qualifying performance in Baku, citing multiple errors that hindered his chances of starting alongside George Russell on the front row. The Red Bull Racing driver described the session as a 'disaster' following a dramatic finish.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:42 UTC
via AutosportMax Verstappen forced into engine change in BakuMax Verstappen has had to make a late engine change for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The Red Bull driver experienced an engine problem that disrupted his plans after a strong performance in final practice.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:38 UTC
via Formula1.comGasly buoyed by Alpine gains after Baku double Q3 appearancePierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto both advanced to the final qualifying stage for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Gasly securing a P7 start and Colapinto P10. Gasly expressed optimism about Alpine's performance, noting he could have achieved a better time without interruptions from yellow flags, while Colapinto admitted to struggling with pace and execution in Q3.
Gasly highlighted the team's progress and his comfort with the car's balance, indicating a strong potential for scoring points in the race. Despite Colapinto's challenges, he remains hopeful for improvement and is determined to fight for a better result in the race. Alpine is currently in a competitive battle to be the 'best of the rest' against Racing Bulls.Fri 25 Sep · 15:33 UTC
via Motorsport WeekEsteban Ocon frustrated after Azerbaijan GP qualifying exitEsteban Ocon expressed his frustration following his elimination in Q2 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, attributing it to yellow flags. The Haas driver lamented the challenges he has faced throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season, stating, "I don’t deserve all this s**t."+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:16 UTC
via CrashLando Norris reflects on Baku qualifying errorLando Norris admitted he would "rather die pushing" after making a costly error during the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The McLaren driver expressed his determination to leave nothing on the table despite the setback he faced in Q3.+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:15 UTCPage 9 of 16