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via RacingNews365Engine guru confirms Max Verstappen was right: 'I already had this view'Max Verstappen has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the current Formula 1 power units, arguing that they require excessive energy management, making the driving experience less authentic. His concerns have been echoed by renowned engine designer Mario Illien, who agrees that the balance between combustion and electric power is flawed, stating that the current setup diminishes the driver's role in racing.
Illien, who has extensive experience in F1 engine design, supports a shift in the power unit ratio that the FIA is considering, moving from a 52/48 split to a 58/42 ratio. However, he cautions that while this change may improve the situation, it will not fully resolve the underlying issues. Illien reminisces about the previous power unit configuration, which he believes was more effective and better received by fans.
via Motorsport.comWhy Mercedes thought Max Verstappen was "on some sort of massive bungee cord" in Azerbaijan GPDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell initially created a significant lead over Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, but the deployment of a safety car changed the race dynamics. After the safety car, Verstappen managed to close the gap and challenged Russell, leading to a nail-biting finish where only 0.196 seconds separated them at the line.
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord remarked on Verstappen's ability to catch up, likening it to being on a 'massive bungee cord'. Despite Russell's superior speed in the second sector, Verstappen's straight-line speed allowed him to stay close. The race highlighted the intense competition and strategic nuances of Formula 1, with Russell managing to maintain his lead despite the pressure.
via RaceFansRed Bull denies Isack Hadjar chance to overtake VerstappenRed Bull Racing instructed Isack Hadjar not to attempt an overtake on his teammate Max Verstappen during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This communication was made through an unbroadcast message, leaving viewers unaware of the team orders in play.
via RacingNews365Franco Colapinto compared to Max Verstappen in major mistake defenceFranco Colapinto has been compared to Max Verstappen by Juan Pablo Montoya, who defended Colapinto's actions during a restart crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto was penalised for causing a multi-car collision, which included his teammate Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris, after he misjudged his braking point.
Montoya explained that Colapinto's aggressive instincts, similar to those of Verstappen, led to the incident. He acknowledged the challenges drivers face during restarts, particularly with the bunching of cars and varying braking points. Despite the crash, Montoya expressed admiration for Colapinto's willingness to seize opportunities on the track.
via F1iLeclerc urges Ferrari to react to Red Bull and McLaren surgeCharles Leclerc expressed concern over Ferrari's performance after finishing fourth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlighting that the team's SF-26 lacked the necessary pace to compete with Red Bull and McLaren. He noted that rivals had made significant upgrades, while Ferrari had not, which put them at a disadvantage.
Leclerc acknowledged that the development gap was becoming increasingly urgent, as every upgrade must count due to budget caps and testing restrictions. He confirmed that Ferrari has developments planned but was cautious about their potential impact, stressing the need for the team to respond quickly to regain lost ground.
via f1technical.net"It was undoubtedly his best race with us so far," claims Mekies as he hails Red ...Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies commended the team's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, describing it as their best weekend of the season. Max Verstappen recovered from an eighth-place start to finish second, while Isack Hadjar, returning from injury, secured third place, marking a significant turnaround for the team after earlier struggles this season.
Mekies highlighted the progress made by Red Bull, noting their competitiveness against Mercedes. He praised both drivers for their teamwork and performance, particularly emphasizing Hadjar's impressive return. The double podium reflects a major improvement for Red Bull, showcasing the effectiveness of their recent upgrades and the collective effort of the team.
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen F1 nightmare as Red Bull boss reveals 'huge problem'Max Verstappen has raised concerns about his car's performance, describing it as 'degrading' during races. Red Bull's leadership, including Laurent Mekies and Pierre Wache, have confirmed these issues, with Wache admitting he lacks confidence in a full fix before the next season. The team is shifting focus to 2027, marking the upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as their last significant package for the year.
Despite these challenges, Red Bull managed to secure a double podium in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Verstappen finishing second, just behind George Russell. This result allowed Red Bull to close the gap to McLaren in the constructors' championship, reducing their deficit from 76 points to 43 points. However, the team acknowledges that significant work remains to be done to improve their car's performance.
via RacingNews365Red Bull and Verstappen disagree on potential penaltyMax Verstappen has indicated that he believes a grid penalty is imminent, while Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies expressed uncertainty about the situation. This disagreement highlights differing perspectives within the team regarding the potential implications of a penalty from the FIA.
via f1oversteer.comArvid Lindblad apologises to Liam Lawson after Baku clashArvid Lindblad has publicly apologised to his Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson following their collision during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Both drivers expressed confusion over the incident, with Lawson stating he does not understand Lindblad's actions during the race.
via gpfans.comWhat Marko really thought about Max Verstappen, Christian Horner's stunning revelationsChristian Horner's new memoir reveals significant tensions within Red Bull Racing, particularly regarding the signing of Max Verstappen. Horner claims that Helmut Marko was initially against bringing Verstappen into the team, despite Marko's public image as a key figure in the driver's early career. Horner recalls Marko's dismissive comments about Verstappen's father, Jos, highlighting a stark contrast to the narrative that Marko was instrumental in Verstappen's recruitment.
The memoir also discusses Horner's feelings of betrayal by Marko following his own firing in July 2025, after a long tenure at Red Bull. Horner reflects on their relationship, noting how it deteriorated after the death of team founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022, which intensified the internal power struggles within the team.
via Formula1.comIsack Hadjar earns podium in Baku after injury layoffIsack Hadjar secured a podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking a successful return after a six-week injury absence. Red Bull's Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar for his speed, restraint, and tactical awareness during the race.
via RacingNews365Red 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.comCharles Leclerc makes surprising admission on new Ferrari engine after penalty talk in BakuCharles Leclerc revealed he used an upgraded Ferrari power unit during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite previous discussions about potentially taking a grid penalty. This upgrade had not been available to him at the Spanish Grand Prix due to a crash at the Italian Grand Prix.
Leclerc's performance in Baku was disappointing as he qualified second but finished fourth, missing the podium. He noted that while the team struggled on the straights, the use of the new engine without penalties means his previous engine from Monza remains usable for future races.
via CrashCharles Leclerc reveals Ferrari engine detail post-raceCharles Leclerc inadvertently disclosed information about Ferrari's engine after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, seemingly against the team's wishes. The moment was captured during an interview, leading to an awkward reaction from a Ferrari press officer.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen denies George Russell super-rare F1 achievement only Lewis Hamilton holdsDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, George Russell came close to achieving a Super Grand Chelem, a rare feat only accomplished by Lewis Hamilton. Russell dominated the early sessions, topping Free Practice 1 and 2, securing pole position, and winning the race while also setting the fastest lap. However, he fell short of the Super Grand Chelem after Max Verstappen outpaced him in Free Practice 3.
Verstappen's performance in Free Practice 3, where he clocked a time of 1:43.922, prevented Russell from joining the exclusive club of drivers who have topped every session, qualified first, led every lap, and set the fastest lap in a race. Hamilton remains the only driver to have achieved this since the current qualifying format was introduced in 2006.
via espn.comCharles Leclerc urges Ferrari to improve performanceCharles Leclerc has called for action from Ferrari after the team failed to secure a podium finish in the last five races. He acknowledged that Ferrari's rivals have made significant advancements, leaving the team behind in terms of chassis performance.
via Motorsport.comRussell and Verstappen criticise Norris on Colapinto banGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen have described Lando Norris's suggestion that Franco Colapinto should receive a race ban as too harsh. The comments follow Colapinto's incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he collided with Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Norris.
via Formula1.comLeclerc calls for Ferrari upgrades after Azerbaijan GPCharles Leclerc has expressed concern over Ferrari's performance, stating they were 'quite far off' the pace of Mercedes and Red Bull during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has promised that upgrades for the SF-26 will be introduced soon to address the team's competitive deficit.
via PlanetF12026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix driver ratings releasedThe driver ratings for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix have been published, highlighting George Russell's near-perfect performance. Franco Colapinto received criticism for what was described as the ultimate motorsport sin during the race.
via Formula1.comHow the faster Hadjar helped Verstappen to second place in BakuMax Verstappen secured second place in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, aided by his teammate Isack Hadjar. After starting from eighth on the grid, Verstappen showcased his pace, which was hindered during qualifying due to engine issues and yellow flags.
During the race, Verstappen moved into third place before the team instructed Hadjar to allow him to pass. This strategic move enabled Verstappen to chase down the race leader, George Russell, after he had already overtaken Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.Page 1 of 40