Arvid LindbladBob SaidLiam Lawson 
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 RacingNews365Liam Lawson baffled after being 'smoked' by Arvid LindbladLiam Lawson expressed confusion after being involved in a collision with his Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The crash occurred during a restart on lap 36, following a separate incident that involved multiple drivers, including Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly. Lawson reported that he was hit hard from the left, resulting in significant damage to his car and forcing him to retire from the race.
In interviews, Lawson described the incident, noting that he was trying to give space to Esteban Ocon when Lindblad made contact. Despite Lindblad's apology and explanation that he locked up and had nowhere to go, Lawson remained perplexed about the situation. The stewards reviewed the incident and concluded that it was a typical first-corner incident with no driver predominantly at fault.
RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via the-race.comShock inaction over Baku's other F1 team-mate clash explainedDuring the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a collision between Racing Bulls team-mates Liam Lawson and Oliver Lindblad resulted in significant damage to Lawson's car. Despite the incident being investigated, the stewards decided no further action was necessary, attributing the collision to a chain reaction from a separate incident involving Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Lando Norris.
Lindblad acknowledged the chaotic nature of the race restart and apologised for the clash, while Lawson expressed his confusion over the ruling. The stewards' decision has raised questions about the criteria used for penalising team-mate collisions, as Lawson indicated he would not protest against Lindblad.
the-race.comSat 26 Sep · 16:06 UTC
via espn.comNorris hits out after Baku pile-up DNF with AlpineLando Norris expressed his frustration after being taken out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to a collision caused by Franco Colapinto. Following the incident, Norris stated that there are drivers who do not belong in Formula 1, implying that Colapinto's actions were unacceptable. The crash occurred during a Safety Car restart on lap 36, leading to both Norris and Pierre Gasly retiring from the race.
Colapinto acknowledged his mistake and accepted responsibility, apologising to his team and teammates. He received a 10-second time penalty, which will affect his grid position in the next race. Gasly, visibly upset, highlighted the significant points lost due to the incident, while also emphasising the importance of respect in their working relationship.
espn.comSat 26 Sep · 15:51 UTC
via RaceFansBottas reveals “big super-clip” led to last-lap crash: “The system got confused” | Formula 1Valtteri Bottas, driving for Cadillac, revealed that a technical issue caused his crash during the last lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He explained that he had experienced a significant loss of control after going off at turn one earlier in the lap, leading to confusion in the car's systems.
Bottas stated that only the front brakes were functioning properly, which contributed to the incident at turn 15. The crash is currently being investigated by the stewards, and Cadillac team principal Marcin Budkowski acknowledged the situation surrounding Bottas's car.
RaceFansSat 26 Sep · 15:22 UTC
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.newsonf1.comSat 26 Sep · 06:46 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar has just shown exactly why Red Bull chose him over Liam Lawson for 2027Isack Hadjar's qualifying performance at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix demonstrated why Red Bull chose him over Liam Lawson for the 2027 season. He secured a P4 starting position, showcasing his skills after an eight-week hiatus due to a wrist injury, while teammate Max Verstappen faced difficulties, qualifying P8.
George Russell claimed pole position, significantly outpacing Charles Leclerc in P2. Hadjar's strong return to form is crucial as he aims to maintain his championship standing, currently sitting in P8, with Lawson closely trailing him by 12 points.f1oversteer.comFri 25 Sep · 20:00 UTCvia 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.RacingNews365Fri 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.
PlanetF1Fri 25 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via espn.comRussell on pole: 'Biggest margin in whole career'George Russell expressed his surprise after achieving pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a margin of 0.837 seconds over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. This gap marks the largest in Formula 1 qualifying since Max Verstappen's pole at the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix. Russell noted that this was the biggest margin of his career across all racing series, including Formula 2 and GP3.
Russell, currently second in the drivers' championship, highlighted his growing confidence with the car and the progress made since the summer break. Despite his strong performance, he downplayed the significance of Antonelli's crash, acknowledging that mistakes are part of any championship campaign. He remains focused on continuing to improve and compete for the title.espn.comFri 25 Sep · 16:16 UTC
via Formula1.comLeclerc lacks confidence in Ferrari ahead of Baku raceCharles Leclerc expressed concerns about the unpredictability of his Ferrari car, which affected his confidence during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite securing a front-row grid slot, Leclerc noted the significant gap to pole position and felt unable to drive with his usual commitment.
Formula1.com+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:01 UTC
via the-race.comArvid Lindblad criticises his performance at BakuArvid Lindblad has expressed frustration with his performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating he has been 'trying to be too special'. The rookie plans to adjust his approach following a critical self-assessment.the-race.com+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 14:41 UTC
via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar bullish: If I hadn't missed three races, I'd be second on the gridIsack Hadjar, driving for Red Bull Racing, qualified fourth for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but expressed confidence that he could have secured second place if he had not missed the previous three races due to a wrist injury. His qualifying time was just 0.137 seconds slower than Charles Leclerc, who took second, while Hadjar outperformed Max Verstappen, who qualified eighth.
Hadjar described his approach during the comeback as cautious, aiming to avoid risks while gradually building confidence. He acknowledged improvements in his car's handling since his last race in Hungary, but admitted that Mercedes still had a significant speed advantage, particularly in straight-line performance. This qualifying result marks Hadjar's best performance since the season opener in Melbourne.
Motorsport.comFri 25 Sep · 14:36 UTC
via F1iKimi Antonelli criticises his Baku qualifying errorKimi Antonelli described his early exit from qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'very stupid' mistake. The incident has left him starting towards the back of the grid for the race.
F1i+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 14:14 UTC
via f1oversteer.comArvid Lindblad shares why he now ‘respects’ Max Verstappen more than F1 ‘idol’ Lewis HamiltonArvid Lindblad, a driver for Racing Bulls, has expressed that he now holds Max Verstappen in higher regard than his childhood idol, Lewis Hamilton. Lindblad, who grew up watching Hamilton dominate Formula 1, has shifted his admiration towards Verstappen, particularly appreciating his race management skills and overall performance as he embarks on his own F1 career.
Having made his F1 debut in 2026 after a rapid rise through the ranks, Lindblad has already shown promise with points finishes in eight of his last nine races. He acknowledges the challenges of transitioning to F1 and sees Verstappen and Charles Leclerc as key figures from whom he can learn to enhance his skills on the track.f1oversteer.comFri 25 Sep · 11:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton reprimanded for impeding Liam LawsonLewis Hamilton received a reprimand for impeding Liam Lawson during the second practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite the incident being labelled as 'dangerous', it has not prompted any changes to current regulations.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 08:37 UTCvia newsonf1.comRalf Schumacher supports Tsolov over Lawson for 2027Ralf Schumacher has expressed his belief that Red Bull should promote Nikola Tsolov to the Racing Bulls for the 2027 season instead of retaining Liam Lawson. This comes despite Lawson's strong performances while substituting for Isack Hadjar.newsonf1.com+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 07:03 UTCvia newsonf1.comF1 pushes Middle East decision to mid-OctoberFormula 1 has postponed its decision regarding the inclusion of Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the 2026 calendar, with team bosses now expecting clarity by mid-October. This change follows an earlier indication from Stefano Domenicali that a decision would be made by mid-September, which has since passed without confirmation. Teams are preparing for potential logistical challenges should a replacement venue be needed, particularly concerning European motorhomes and staffing.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu mentioned that Imola is being readied as a contingency plan, with preparations for temporary grandstands already underway. Audi's Mattia Binotto also confirmed the mid-October deadline, while expressing confidence that the original venues remain the preferred option. Meanwhile, Formula 2's decision to run three races in Baku has raised questions about its own calendar, with Gabriele Mini suggesting that Baku is unlikely to serve as the championship finale.newsonf1.comFri 25 Sep · 07:02 UTCvia newsonf1.comRUMOURBriatore rules out Ferrari moveFlavio Briatore has firmly ruled out the possibility of taking charge at Ferrari, stating that it is too late for him to consider such a role. Currently leading Alpine, he expressed respect for Fred Vasseur's efforts at Ferrari amidst ongoing speculation about Vasseur's future. Briatore also commented on the challenges of managing Ferrari's driver pairing, which he described as quarrelsome.
In addition to his comments on Ferrari, Briatore addressed the future of Alpine, asserting that Renault has no plans to sell the team. He revealed that there are at least seven investors interested in purchasing a minority stake in Alpine. Briatore also noted that the commercial value of Alpine reflects the overall growth in Formula 1, while playfully dismissing his previous retirement claims.newsonf1.comFri 25 Sep · 07:02 UTC
via f1oversteer.com‘Alarm bells’ ring at Ferrari after hearing what Oliver Bearman said about Baku engine failureFerrari are concerned for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after hearing what Haas’ Oliver Bearman said about his engine failure during FP2 at the Azerbaijan ...f1oversteer.comFri 25 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Lewis Hamilton blames F1 power unit rules after Liam Lawson near-missLewis Hamilton has attributed his near-miss with Liam Lawson during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice session to the current Formula 1 power unit regulations rather than a mistake on his part. The stewards issued a reprimand to Hamilton for not following traffic-management instructions, which resulted in Lawson encountering him unexpectedly while on a qualifying simulation run.
Hamilton explained that the extreme closing speed between drivers on different energy deployment strategies contributed to the incident. He expressed hope that drivers and the FIA could discuss the issue in their upcoming briefing to prevent similar occurrences in the future.PlanetF1Fri 25 Sep · 06:38 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson returns to Racing Bulls for Azerbaijan GPLiam Lawson is set to return to Racing Bulls for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar. Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane praised Lawson's performances during his stint with the team.RacingNews365+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 18:15 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher thinks Red Bull just put the final nail in Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls coffinRalf Schumacher believes he has seen proof that Red Bull intend to drop Liam Lawson from the Racing Bulls line-up and replace him with Nikola ...f1oversteer.comThu 24 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via racer.comHamilton urges changes after near-miss with LawsonLewis Hamilton has called for changes to Formula 1’s engine management system following a high-speed near-miss with Liam Lawson during practice in Baku. Hamilton received a reprimand from the stewards for impeding Lawson, highlighting concerns over safety with the current regulations.
racer.com+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 17:11 UTC