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via Motorsport.comWhat Kimi Antonelli has learned from Max VerstappenKimi Antonelli, the 20-year-old Mercedes driver, has been learning valuable lessons from Max Verstappen, who has praised Antonelli's impressive performances this season. With eight wins under his belt, Antonelli leads his teammate George Russell significantly in the championship standings. Verstappen, currently sixth in the standings, has encouraged Antonelli to maintain his current approach as he continues to develop his skills.
Antonelli has specifically noted Verstappen's exceptional racecraft, particularly his ability to read situations and position his car effectively. He reflected on a recent race in Madrid, where he learned the importance of maintaining track position and the potential to capitalize on opportunities, as demonstrated by Verstappen. Antonelli's observations of Verstappen's adaptability and performance under pressure have further inspired him in his own racing career.
via espn.comGeorge Russell leads opening practice in BakuGeorge Russell topped the first practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli faced reliability issues that forced him to end his session early.
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar aims for strong return at Azerbaijan Grand PrixIsack Hadjar will make his return from injury with Red Bull at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Juan Pablo Montoya believes Hadjar has a specific goal in mind related to Liam Lawson's performance.
via PlanetF1Red Bull updates on Isack Hadjar's wrist injuryRed Bull Racing's boss Laurent Mekies has provided an update on Isack Hadjar's wrist injury following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team also addressed the strategic decisions made during the race involving Max Verstappen and Hadjar.
via gpfans.comRed Bull F1 issue Liam Lawson statementRed Bull Racing has issued a statement praising Liam Lawson for his impressive performances during his three-race stint with the team, where he scored 14 points. Lawson stepped in for Isack Hadjar, who was sidelined due to a wrist injury, and achieved notable finishes, including seventh in the Dutch Grand Prix and sixth in the Spanish Grand Prix.
Despite his strong showing, Lawson's future with Red Bull appears uncertain as the team has confirmed Hadjar's return for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Lawson's contract with Racing Bulls is also not yet confirmed, leaving his position in the 2027 season unclear, although he has outperformed his rookie teammate this season.
via thejudge13.comRed Bull announces driver decision for 2027Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will continue with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season, partnering with Max Verstappen. This decision comes after Hadjar's impressive performance in 2026, where he achieved seven consecutive top-six finishes and a podium at the Monaco Grand Prix. Red Bull's CEO, Laurent Mekies, expressed confidence in Hadjar's abilities and his integration into the team, making the contract extension a straightforward choice.
Hadjar's announcement coincides with his return from a wrist injury that sidelined him for three races. He has completed rehabilitation and is set to compete in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The young French driver expressed excitement about continuing with Red Bull, highlighting the team's ambition and the privilege of racing alongside a four-time World Champion like Verstappen. Hadjar focused on his performance on track rather than contract negotiations, indicating his commitment to proving himself.
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar returns to F1 with improved Red BullIsack Hadjar has made a successful return to Formula 1 during practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury. The Frenchman stated that his Red Bull feels better than when he last drove it.
via PlanetF1The Final Sector: Will Imola replace Abu Dhabi? Antonelli’s meteoric riseThe latest episode of the PlanetF1 podcast, titled 'The Final Sector', explores the potential conclusion of the Formula 1 2026 season, debating whether it will take place in Imola or Abu Dhabi. Hosts Mat Coch and Thomas Maher share insights from the paddock and discuss the newly released F1 2027 calendar, highlighting the timing of its announcement despite ongoing uncertainties regarding the current season's end.
Additionally, the episode features a focus on the impressive rise of Kimi Antonelli, drawing comparisons to renowned drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. The hosts also preview the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current F1 landscape.
via Formula1.comAll the stories that got the Baku paddock talkingKimi Antonelli, the current championship leader, is maintaining a cautious approach regarding his title aspirations ahead of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite a strong performance that has seen him secure eight victories in 14 weekends, Antonelli is focused on taking each race one at a time, stressing the need to keep delivering results.
With a significant lead of 81 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell and nine races left in the season, Antonelli remains committed to his strategy of continuous improvement. He acknowledges the pressure of the championship but believes that concentrating on his driving will ultimately determine the outcome.
via AutosportRussell's theory on his big hope for F1 2027 – and Antonelli's replyGeorge Russell, a driver for Mercedes, has expressed optimism about the potential for better-balanced tyres in Formula 1's 2027 season, which he believes could allow for a more natural driving style. He noted that the current tyres have not been well balanced, impacting performance, particularly for drivers like himself and Oscar Piastri, who have struggled with the unnatural driving style required by the 2026 cars.
Kimi Antonelli, Russell's team-mate, has a different perspective, suggesting that while the tyres may evolve slightly, the overall changes will not be drastic. He highlighted that the car's aerodynamics will undergo significant modifications, which will also influence performance. Both drivers are adapting to the technical challenges posed by the current regulations as they prepare for the upcoming season.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc tried to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes before they signed Kimi AntonelliCharles Leclerc, currently a key driver for Ferrari, explored the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season. His manager, Nicolas Todt, engaged in discussions with Mercedes regarding this potential move after they were informed of Hamilton's impending transfer to Ferrari.
Despite these talks, Mercedes opted to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli, leading Leclerc to renew his contract with Ferrari in January 2024. This decision came before Hamilton's official announcement of his move to Ferrari, which was revealed in February 2024. As a result, Leclerc remains with Ferrari through the 2030 season.
via Motorsport WeekOliver Bearman shares ‘relearning’ issues of 2026 Haas carOliver Bearman has expressed his frustrations with the 2026 Haas Formula 1 car, the VF-26, citing constant changes in its characteristics that hinder his performance. Despite a promising start to the season, Bearman and his teammate Esteban Ocon have struggled to maintain competitiveness, particularly as they enter the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with only 18 points.
Bearman described the challenge of adapting to the VF-26, stating that each race feels like he is driving a different car. He contrasted this with his experience in the previous season, where the VF-25 provided a more consistent driving experience. Bearman hopes that the chaotic nature of the Baku circuit will offer him an opportunity to challenge for points, recalling his previous success at the venue.
via BBC SportKimi Antonelli reflects on fears from rookie seasonKimi Antonelli has acknowledged that his fear of crashing impacted his performance during his rookie season with Mercedes in 2025. The championship leader revealed that a crash in 2024 lingered in his mind, affecting his confidence as he continues to adapt to Formula 1.
via Formula1.comGrosjean on why Mercedes' support has been key for AntonelliRomain Grosjean highlighted the significant role Mercedes has played in Kimi Antonelli's impressive 2026 season, helping him unlock new performance levels. Antonelli, who had a challenging rookie year, has capitalised on Mercedes' support to dominate the early races and currently leads the Drivers' Championship.
Grosjean praised Antonelli's talent and the team's unwavering backing, which has fostered his confidence. He noted that despite facing difficulties, such as a poor start to the season, Mercedes provided crucial support that allowed Antonelli to thrive, showcasing his potential to become the youngest-ever World Champion.
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher fears Oliver Bearman could become a ‘wasted talent’ after suffering a ‘huge blow’Ralf Schumacher has voiced his worries regarding Oliver Bearman's potential to become a 'wasted talent' while driving for Haas in 2026. After a promising start to the season, Bearman has struggled to score points, with his last points finish occurring at the Montreal Grand Prix. Schumacher believes that Bearman needs to secure a move away from Haas to continue his development as a Formula 1 driver.
Bearman, who debuted with Ferrari in 2024, has been highly regarded in the paddock, with interest from Red Bull before they secured Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar for 2027. As Bearman's contract with Ferrari is set to expire at the end of 2026, the pressure is on for him to make a significant career decision soon, especially as Schumacher fears that remaining at Haas could hinder his potential.
via Formula1.comHadjar elated to ‘come back to the fight’ amid new contractIsack Hadjar is set to return to racing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury that sidelined him for three rounds. The Red Bull driver confirmed that while he is ready to compete, he still experiences some pain from the injury, which was a small fracture he sustained during training over the summer.
Alongside his return, Hadjar announced a contract extension with Red Bull that will see him continue racing alongside Max Verstappen in 2027. Prior to his injury, Hadjar was performing well, achieving seven top-six finishes, including a podium in Monaco, and he is eager to demonstrate his capabilities on the track once again.
via RaceFansRussell praises Antonelli's driving style for 2026George Russell has stated that Andrea Kimi Antonelli's driving style is ideally suited for the Formula 1 cars expected in 2026. Russell's comments suggest that Antonelli's approach could lead to significant success in the upcoming season.
via Motorsport.comJamie Chadwick warns Kimi Antonelli of title pressureJamie Chadwick has cautioned Kimi Antonelli that the pressure of competing for the Formula 1 championship will increase as the season progresses. Despite this, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer noted that Antonelli is currently displaying no signs of feeling the strain as he approaches his first title.
via grandprix.comRed Bull extends Isack Hadjar's contract to 2027Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will remain with the team until 2027. Team boss Laurent Mekies has outlined expectations for Hadjar to continue his development as he prepares to return from injury.
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar voices Red Bull 'privilege' after renewed F1 trustIsack Hadjar has expressed a sense of privilege after signing an extension with Red Bull Racing for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The French driver joined the team in 2025 and has made a strong impression, achieving a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix and consistently finishing in the top six throughout the season.
Despite Red Bull's struggles this year, Hadjar remains motivated to help the team return to the top. He acknowledged the talent within the team and the support he has received, stating his commitment to improving and justifying the faith placed in him by Red Bull.Page 10 of 38