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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.
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 RaceFansHadjar notes performance gains at Red Bull after injuryIsack Hadjar stated that his time off due to injury provided him with clarity regarding Red Bull's development direction. Upon his return, he immediately noticed an improvement in the performance of Red Bull's car.
via RaceFansRussell and Verstappen enjoy thrilling Baku finaleGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen described the final laps of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as exceptionally enjoyable and intense. Russell noted that the performance of the tyres contributed to the excitement during the closing stages of the race.
via Motorsport.comMercedes did not expect Monza repeat from AntonelliMercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord stated that Kimi Antonelli was never expected to replicate his previous performance from Monza during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell secured victory at the Baku City Circuit, converting his pole position into a win for Mercedes.
via grandprix.comKimi Antonelli drives cautiously to fifth in BakuKimi Antonelli described his approach during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as driving 'like my grandmother' after recovering from a qualifying mistake to finish fifth. He expressed relief at completing the race in a 'damage-safe mode' after starting from 16th on the grid.
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.
via Motorsport.comWho 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.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen branded 'shark' after sniffing George Russell 'blood in the water'During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen applied intense pressure on George Russell in the closing laps, finishing just two tenths of a second behind him. Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord described Verstappen's pursuit as akin to a shark sensing blood in the water, highlighting the high stakes as Russell managed to maintain his lead despite the challenges.
Russell's victory was not without its difficulties, as safety car interruptions erased his earlier advantage. A late crash by Valtteri Bottas added to the tension for the Mercedes team, who were concerned about Russell losing power. Ultimately, Russell's performance secured him the win, marking a significant achievement in his career.
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.
via Formula1.comOscar Piastri reflects on costly lock-up in BakuOscar Piastri described his late-race lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as surprising and disappointing, as it cost him a potential podium finish. The McLaren driver had been running in a strong position before the error, which left him outside the points.
via Formula1.comWhat the teams said – Race day in AzerbaijanGeorge Russell of Mercedes won the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his first victory since Austria. He started from pole position and maintained a strong lead until two Safety Cars brought Max Verstappen close behind him in the final laps. Despite the pressure, Russell managed to hold on for the win, even after clipping the wall and losing his Boost on the last lap.
Max Verstappen finished second after a strong race, while Isack Hadjar secured third place, marking a successful return from injury. Kimi Antonelli, who started from P16, managed to recover to fifth place. Both drivers and team principals expressed satisfaction with their performances, highlighting the challenges posed by the Safety Cars and the competitive nature of the race.
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.
via gpfans.comRalf Schumacher criticises Christian Horner's Ferrari commentsRalf Schumacher has labelled Christian Horner's remarks about potentially joining Ferrari as 'embarrassing' and a 'disgrace'. Horner's comments came amid speculation regarding Ferrari's leadership following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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.
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.
via Motorsport.comPierre Gasly reacts to Colapinto's Azerbaijan crashPierre Gasly expressed feeling 'crushed' after Franco Colapinto's error led to a crash involving both drivers during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Gasly lamented the loss of valuable points as a result of the incident.
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli reflects on Baku race performanceKimi Antonelli described his driving style during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as akin to 'driving like my grandmother' after finishing fifth. Despite the comeback from sixteenth place, Antonelli's lead in the drivers' championship has been reduced to 66 points.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix by 0.196sGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing just 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. The win marked one of the closest finishes in Formula 1 history, showcasing Russell's strong performance throughout the race.Page 4 of 39