Andrea Kimi AntonelliCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonMax Verstappen 
via gpfans.comVerstappen urges F1 to avoid Qatar and Abu Dhabi racesMax Verstappen has expressed concerns over safety in the Middle East, stating that Formula 1 should not hold races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi if the regional security situation does not improve. The four-time world champion emphasised the importance of prioritising safety for all involved in the sport.newsonf1.com+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 06:34 UTC
via Motorsport.comRUMOURWho slept worst last night: Lewis HamiltonLewis Hamilton has publicly backed Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur amidst speculation regarding Christian Horner's potential return to the team. Horner, the long-time Red Bull Racing principal, mentioned in an interview that he would consider returning to Formula 1, specifically for Ferrari, which has raised eyebrows given his history with Hamilton.
Vasseur has acknowledged that the ongoing speculation is creating a challenging atmosphere within the team. He emphasized the need for stability and serenity, suggesting that a reaffirmation of his position from Ferrari leadership could help quell the rumors. Meanwhile, Hamilton appears unfazed by the situation, focusing instead on the challenges ahead in the current season.
Motorsport.comSun 27 Sep · 05:36 UTC
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan GP conclusions: Russell back in the game, Colapinto ban demand, untelevised Hamilton radioLewis Hamilton's untelevised team radio during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has come under scrutiny after he called for a ban on Lando Norris following a racing incident. This demand has sparked discussions about the implications of such requests in Formula 1, particularly regarding driver conduct and team dynamics.
In the same race, George Russell secured his third victory of the 2026 season, holding off Max Verstappen, who finished second. Isack Hadjar achieved a notable third place, marking Red Bull's first double podium finish since 2024. The race highlighted the ongoing competitive tensions within the sport, especially as Hamilton's comments add to the narrative surrounding driver accountability and the enforcement of racing standards.
PlanetF1Sun 27 Sep · 05:04 UTC
via f1technical.net"I never lost that faith in myself," claims Russell after his dominant showing in BakuGeorge Russell secured his first Formula 1 victory since Austria by winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 27 September 2026. Starting from pole position, Russell maintained control for most of the race, but faced significant pressure from Max Verstappen after two Safety Car periods brought the field closer together. Despite a tense final few laps, where he even clipped the wall, Russell managed to fend off Verstappen's challenge and crossed the finish line first.
After the race, Russell expressed his pride in the hard work he and his engineering team put in to overcome earlier season difficulties. He highlighted his recent form, having achieved three podiums in the last four races, and conveyed confidence in his ability to compete for victories consistently. Looking ahead, Russell mentioned upcoming upgrades for Mercedes, which he hopes will enhance their performance in future races.
f1technical.netSat 26 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comGeorge Russell keeps the Red Bulls at bay to conquer BakuGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by just one tenth of a second. Isack Hadjar, Verstappen's teammate, finished in third place, marking a successful race for Red Bull as they confirmed Hadjar's seat through to 2027. Russell managed to maintain his lead despite pressure from Verstappen after two Safety Car periods, showcasing strong pace throughout the race.
The race saw a strategic use of tyre compounds, with Russell and Verstappen starting on the Soft compound and Hadjar opting for an alternative strategy. Kimi Antonelli, who finished fifth, continues to lead the FIA Formula One World Championship standings. Russell's victory has significantly narrowed the points gap to Antonelli, highlighting the competitive nature of the championship as teams and drivers adapt to the challenging Baku circuit.
f1chronicle.comSat 26 Sep · 20:49 UTC
via RacingNews365Russell survives Verstappen charge as Colapinto causes crash chaosGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by 0.196 seconds. This win places Russell 66 points behind Kimi Antonelli, who made a remarkable recovery from 16th on the grid to finish fifth.
The race was relatively calm until an incident involving Alex Albon brought out the safety car. The restart led to chaos as Franco Colapinto collided with Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris, prompting Norris to call for a race ban for Colapinto.
RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 19:42 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar team orders at Azerbaijan GP show Liam Lawson was right all along about Red BullAt the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first double podium in two and a half years. Hadjar demonstrated his commitment to team orders by allowing Verstappen to pass him early in the race, despite having a slight pace advantage. However, when Verstappen struggled to overtake Oscar Piastri, Hadjar's willingness to follow orders was put to the test as he later requested to race against his teammate.
The race highlighted the dynamics within Red Bull, where Verstappen's dominance often limits his teammates' opportunities to compete on equal terms. Hadjar's performance and subsequent contract renewal suggest he is prepared to embrace a supportive role in exchange for driving a competitive car. This situation echoes Liam Lawson's earlier comments about the challenges faced by Verstappen's teammates, who must adapt to the team's structure that prioritises Verstappen's success.
f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via RaceFans2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix interactive data: lap charts, times and tyres | 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix interactive dataDuring the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marshals mistakenly displayed Safety Car boards to drivers, causing confusion. The stewards later explained their decision not to penalise Aiden Lindblad for colliding with Liam Lawson, despite the incident's impact on the race.
Valtteri Bottas revealed that a "big super-clip" led to his last-lap crash, attributing it to a system malfunction. Esteban Ocon admitted to playing it too safe during a last-lap yellow flag situation, while Lando Norris expressed his frustration, stating that some drivers should not be competing in Formula 1.
RaceFansSat 26 Sep · 17:53 UTC
via espn.comRussell warns Antonelli: 'Pressure is on you'George Russell achieved a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking the most dominant performance of his career. He won the race after starting from pole position and narrowly held off Max Verstappen, finishing just 0.1 seconds ahead. This win allowed Russell to reduce Kimi Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points, as Antonelli struggled to recover from a poor qualifying performance that left him starting in 16th place.
Despite his fifth-place finish, Antonelli remains in control of the championship standings. He acknowledged that he drove conservatively during the race, aiming to secure points rather than take risks. Russell, on the other hand, expressed renewed confidence in his ability to compete for victories in the remaining races of the season, emphasizing his determination to win every race moving forward.
espn.comSat 26 Sep · 17:40 UTC
via racer.comVerstappen doubts victory was possible despite historic close finishMax Verstappen expressed doubts about his chances of winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite finishing just 0.196 seconds behind George Russell. He started the race from eighth position due to engine issues and yellow flags during qualifying, but managed to climb to third early on, aided by a team order to pass teammate Isack Hadjar. However, he struggled to overtake Oscar Piastri during the opening laps and only managed to pass him after the first safety car restart on lap 36.
Verstappen reflected on his performance, stating that even with a better qualifying position, he believed it would have been difficult to overtake Russell due to his pace. He highlighted the effectiveness of the soft tires during the final laps, which allowed him to push hard, but ultimately felt that the race result would not have changed significantly. The race marked a successful outing for Red Bull Racing, achieving a double podium finish.
racer.comSat 26 Sep · 17:28 UTC
via espn.comAntonelli's Baku woes: 'Worst' weekend of seasonKimi Antonelli described the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as his 'worst' race weekend despite finishing fifth after starting from 16th on the grid. He gained 11 places during the race, but his teammate George Russell's victory reduced Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points with eight races remaining this season.
Antonelli faced challenges throughout the weekend, including a hydraulic leak that disrupted his practice sessions. He acknowledged that he was not at his best during the race, opting for a conservative approach to avoid damage. Antonelli is looking to bounce back at the upcoming race in Sepang on October 4.espn.comSat 26 Sep · 16:09 UTC
via F1iVerstappen doubts better grid spot could have denied RussellMax Verstappen finished second in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, acknowledging that George Russell had superior pace throughout the race. Despite starting from eighth due to qualifying troubles, Verstappen managed to climb through the field but found it challenging to overtake Oscar Piastri and ultimately could not threaten Russell's lead.
Verstappen noted that even with a better starting position, Russell's performance would likely have kept him ahead. The race was influenced by two safety cars, which allowed Verstappen to switch to softer tyres, enhancing his performance in the final laps. However, he concluded that Russell's pace would have made it difficult to secure a victory regardless of his starting position.
F1iSat 26 Sep · 16:09 UTC
via Sky Sports F1'I was driving like my grandma' - Antonelli admits to lack of confidenceKimi Antonelli, the current leader in the Formula 1 championship, expressed a lack of confidence during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating he was driving 'like his grandmother.' Despite starting from 16th due to a qualifying crash, he managed to recover to finish fifth, but his lead over teammate George Russell was reduced to 66 points as Russell claimed victory.
Antonelli faced challenges throughout the race, including technical issues that limited his practice time and significant floor damage from contact with another car. He acknowledged that he had to adapt his driving style due to the circumstances, taking fewer risks and capitalising on mistakes made by other drivers. Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.
Sky Sports F1Sat 26 Sep · 15:51 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer saw something from Kimi Antonelli for the very ‘first time’ during Baku comeback driveDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer observed Kimi Antonelli's cautious driving style for the first time, as he finished in fifth place after a challenging race. Antonelli, who crashed out of qualifying, had to adopt a more measured approach due to the risks posed by the circuit's barriers, which affected his ability to move up the field quickly.
Despite not replicating his previous form from Monza, where he secured a victory, Antonelli's maturity was highlighted by Palmer. After the race, Antonelli expressed disappointment with his performance, citing issues with tyre pace and damage to his car. He will aim to improve at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, where Mercedes is expected to introduce significant upgrades.f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 15:30 UTC
via CrashGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen land Ferrari dig in cooldown room after Azerbaijan GPGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen shared their thoughts on Ferrari's performance after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlighting the team's lack of competitiveness. Russell secured his third victory of the season, narrowly beating Verstappen, while Ferrari's drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, finished fourth and sixth respectively, unable to challenge for the podium.
In the cooldown room, Russell noted that Ferrari's pace was not impressive, with Verstappen agreeing that they were slow on the straights. Despite Leclerc's strong qualifying position, he lost ground early in the race and could not keep up with the frontrunners. Russell and Verstappen dominated the race, finishing well ahead of the rest of the field.
CrashSat 26 Sep · 14:53 UTC
via Formula1.comKimi Antonelli reflects on tough weekend in BakuKimi Antonelli described the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend as his 'worst weekend of the season'. The Mercedes junior driver stated that the experience taught him valuable lessons as he looks to improve.
Formula1.com+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 14:53 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer mocks Isack Hadjar for being ‘the best guy in the world’ vs Max Verstappen in BakuDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer mocked Isack Hadjar for being overly compliant with Max Verstappen, suggesting he should have fought harder for position. Both Red Bull drivers ended up on the podium, marking their first joint podium since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, with Hadjar praised for his pace after returning from injury.
Palmer highlighted Hadjar's reluctance to challenge Verstappen during the race, questioning whether the Red Bull team was hesitant to ask Verstappen to concede his position. Despite Palmer's criticism, both drivers performed well, with Verstappen narrowly missing out on victory after two safety car periods.f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via Formula1.comVerstappen wins fan vote after narrowly missing Baku victoryMax Verstappen was voted Driver of the Day after a thrilling performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he narrowly missed victory, finishing just 0.196 seconds behind George Russell. Despite starting from eighth position, Verstappen showcased his skill and determination, engaging in a fierce battle with Russell in the race's closing stages.
This marks the sixth time Verstappen has earned this accolade in 2026, reflecting his consistent performance throughout the season. The voting results showed strong support for other drivers as well, with Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, and George Russell also receiving notable percentages of the votes.Formula1.comSat 26 Sep · 13:34 UTC
via f1technical.netRussell seals excellent weekend with Azerbaijani victoryGeorge Russell dominated the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading from the start to secure victory on 26 September 2026. Max Verstappen finished closely behind in second place, just 0.1 seconds off the pace, while Isack Hadjar, making his return to Formula 1, completed the podium in third. Russell's performance was marked by consistent pace and strategic tyre management, allowing him to maintain a significant lead throughout the race.
The race saw several incidents, including retirements from Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly. Oscar Piastri, who initially held second place, struggled with tyre issues and ultimately dropped to 15th after a lockup. The event featured two safety car periods, which added to the drama, but Russell's late restart allowed him to fend off Verstappen's challenge, securing a well-deserved win.f1technical.netSat 26 Sep · 12:54 UTC
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.RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 12:09 UTC
via grandprix.comMcLaren keeps options open for Max VerstappenZak Brown stated that McLaren's discussions with Max Verstappen have shifted his view of the reigning champion. He emphasised that the possibility of a future collaboration remains open.grandprix.com+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 11:36 UTC
via Motorsport WeekRed Bull confirms major Max Verstappen change ahead of Azerbaijan GPAhead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing has replaced four key power unit components for Max Verstappen, including the internal combustion engine and turbocharger. Verstappen had demonstrated strong pace during practice sessions but faced power deployment issues during qualifying, resulting in an eighth-place start on the grid.
The replacements were made from Verstappen's allocated pool of power unit elements, meaning he will not incur a grid penalty. This strategic move aims to enhance his performance in the race, following a qualifying session where he struggled to match the speed of his competitors.
Motorsport WeekSat 26 Sep · 10:42 UTC
via RacingNews365Charles Leclerc swings 'right hook' claim after huge George Russell defeatCharles Leclerc expressed disappointment after qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he finished second, significantly behind pole-sitter George Russell. Leclerc's lap time of 1:43.363 left him over eight tenths of a second adrift of Russell, who secured pole with a time of 1:42.526.
Despite feeling that his Ferrari was performing better than earlier in the weekend, Leclerc acknowledged the substantial gap to Russell. He highlighted the challenges of finding the right tyre window and noted that both Ferrari and McLaren struggled during practice sessions. Leclerc identified areas for improvement, particularly in Sector 2, where Russell excelled.RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton snubbed as Flavio Briatore names the two F1 drivers who are ‘better than the rest’Flavio Briatore has declared that Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli are the two best drivers currently in Formula 1, overlooking seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. In an interview, Briatore emphasised that while Hamilton has had significant success, he believes he is no longer at the top of the grid, pointing to the exceptional abilities of Verstappen and Antonelli.
Briatore also discussed the importance of having a competitive car to achieve success in F1. He acknowledged that while Verstappen has shown remarkable results with Red Bull, he cannot win without a top-performing vehicle. Additionally, Briatore reflected on his decision to sign Franco Colapinto for Alpine, noting the driver's impressive progress and the necessary support for talent to flourish.f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 09:00 UTC