Bob SaidSergio Pérez 
via Motorsport.comHow was Valtteri Bottas so much slower than Sergio Perez in the Azerbaijan GP?In the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas experienced a significant performance gap compared to his teammate Sergio Perez, being outqualified by over a second and falling far behind during the race. Bottas struggled with pace, losing time consistently and ultimately crashing due to a technical issue shortly before the finish.
Sergio Perez, on the other hand, managed to extract maximum performance from his car, competing closely with faster vehicles despite lacking straight-line speed. He expressed pride in his aggressive driving style throughout the race, while Bottas's difficulties continued, marking a third consecutive race without leading his teammate.
Motorsport.comMon 28 Sep · 14:45 UTC
via PlanetF1Valtteri Bottas explains Azerbaijan Grand Prix strugglesValtteri Bottas has shared his thoughts on his disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, attributing it to damper degradation affecting his Cadillac's ride quality. He noted that the car 'got a bit confused,' which contributed to his retirement from the race.
PlanetF1+ 1 moreMon 28 Sep · 11:32 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 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 gpfans.comFIA announce penalty for F1 star after ignoring McLaren warningThe FIA has imposed a three-place grid penalty on Sergio Perez for impeding Oscar Piastri during the qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Perez was warned twice about Piastri's approach but failed to manage his preparation lap properly, resulting in Piastri having to lift off the throttle. Although Piastri stated he did not lose significant lap time, the stewards deemed Perez's actions worthy of punishment.
Despite the penalty, Perez will maintain his starting position of P20 due to other drivers, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, receiving larger grid penalties. In total, four drivers have been penalised this weekend, including Carlos Sainz, who was punished for not slowing for yellow flags during qualifying.
gpfans.comFri 25 Sep · 20:26 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 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 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.jpg%3Fwidth%3D480&w=128&q=70)
Wikimedia Commons · Steffen Prößdorf · CC BY-SA 4.0Verstappen targets Nurburgring, Spa endurance racesMax Verstappen has announced his intention to participate in major endurance races at the Nurburgring and Spa in 2027, as the Formula 1 calendar will not clash with these events. He expressed his desire to return to the Nordschleife after a previous race and highlighted Spa as another appealing option, although he remains uncertain about competing in Le Mans due to its demanding preparation requirements.
Lando Norris is also getting involved in endurance racing, having recently driven McLaren's new prototype for the World Endurance Championship. However, other F1 drivers like Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso have expressed skepticism about adding endurance races to their schedules, citing the busy calendar as a significant barrier to participation.newsonf1.comThu 24 Sep · 06:48 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMichael Schumacher’s Ferrari boss is ‘sad’ when he sees the current state of the teamLuca di Montezemolo, the former president of Ferrari, has voiced his disappointment regarding the current state of the team, stating they are not competitive in Formula 1 anymore. He highlighted that Ferrari has not won a drivers' or constructors' title in 18 seasons and pointed out that no Ferrari driver has been in contention for the championship since Fernando Alonso in 2012.
Despite having a strong driver line-up with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who have a combined total of 261 podiums, Ferrari has only managed to win one race each since the start of 2025. Di Montezemolo has been critical of team principal Fred Vasseur, suggesting that the team lacks strong leadership and needs to reflect on their performance to improve in the future.f1oversteer.comWed 23 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via gpfans.comHow F1 drivers' WhatsApp group reacted to Monaco sprint announcementSergio Perez revealed that he found out about the 2027 Monaco Grand Prix sprint race through a busy WhatsApp group chat among drivers. The announcement raised eyebrows due to Monaco's reputation as a challenging track for overtaking, leading to discussions about the potential impact of the sprint race format on the weekend's dynamics.
Oscar Piastri and George Russell also shared their thoughts during a press conference, with Piastri expressing initial surprise but understanding the reasoning behind two qualifying sessions. Russell supported the decision, stating that the introduction of sprint races adds excitement to the overall weekend experience, even if the actual race may not be the most thrilling.gpfans.comWed 23 Sep · 16:28 UTC
via RacingNews365Sergio Perez armed with fresh Cadillac weapon in Baku happy hunting groundSergio Perez is set to race in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with an upgraded Ferrari engine, marking his return to Baku after two years. He is the most successful driver in the history of this race, having achieved two wins and multiple podium finishes. Perez is optimistic about breaking Cadillac's points drought, as the team has struggled this season, with their best result being 13th place.
In his last appearance in Baku, Perez showcased strong performance despite a challenging season, out-qualifying Max Verstappen and contending for a podium before a crash. He expressed eagerness to replicate his past success at the circuit and aims to establish a good rhythm during practice sessions to secure a positive result for his team.
RacingNews365Tue 22 Sep · 17:10 UTC
via AutosportRUMOURLeclerc confirms commitment to Ferrari amid interestCharles Leclerc has reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari after signing a new contract with the team. The announcement comes amid speculation about other opportunities he considered before deciding to stay with Ferrari.
Autosport+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 15:30 UTC
via PlanetF1RUMOURCadillac F1 approach called ‘suboptimal’ as major relocation rumours addressedOtmar Szafnauer has labelled Cadillac's Formula 1 approach as 'suboptimal', particularly in relation to their plans to establish a presence in the United States. He expressed his concerns directly to Pat Symonds, Cadillac's executive engineering consultant, suggesting that the team's strategy could hinder their chances of winning championships. Szafnauer highlighted the importance of having all design and simulation teams located in one place to compete effectively against established teams like Mercedes.
Cadillac is currently developing a new manufacturing facility in Indianapolis and a power unit project in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite these developments, team principal Marcin Budkowski has dismissed rumors that staff are being pressured to relocate from Silverstone, asserting that the UK base remains a significant part of their operations. Budkowski encouraged anyone doubting the Silverstone facility's importance to visit and see its capabilities.PlanetF1Tue 22 Sep · 11:15 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff's 'league of his own' comments highlight why Lando Norris is beating Oscar PiastriToto Wolff praised Lando Norris for his exceptional performance during qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Norris achieved pole position with a remarkable lap time of 1:31.385. Wolff noted Norris' skill in managing rear tyre overheating, especially under challenging hot conditions, which set him apart from his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Despite the compliments, Piastri's ongoing difficulties with tyre management were acknowledged, with McLaren's recent upgrades aimed at addressing these issues. Team principal Andrea Stella has urged Piastri to adapt his driving style to improve his performance, as his struggles have been a recurring theme in his career.f1oversteer.comMon 21 Sep · 06:00 UTC
via gpfans.comFerrari considers grid penalty for Charles Leclerc in BakuFerrari team principal Fred Vasseur indicated that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix could be an appropriate time for Charles Leclerc to incur an engine grid penalty. The team is evaluating the potential benefits of this strategy ahead of the race weekend.gpfans.com+ 1 moreSat 19 Sep · 14:58 UTC
via the-race.comThe real reason Russell and Piastri are struggling in F1 2026In the 2026 Formula 1 season, drivers like George Russell and Oscar Piastri are facing significant challenges due to a mismatch between their driving styles and the new car and tire regulations. Russell finished fifth in the Madring race, significantly behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli, and noted that his struggles stem from how he drives compared to the demands of the current generation of cars. He observed that drivers who are performing well, such as Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris, share similar driving styles that align better with the 2026 car characteristics.
The article discusses how the reduced downforce and tire grip of the 2026 cars have raised the crossover point of circuit grip, making certain driving techniques less effective. While Russell and Piastri tend to drive with a geometric ideal that works well on high-grip tracks, they struggle as grip decreases. In contrast, drivers like Hamilton and Norris have adapted their styles to better manage energy and grip, allowing them to perform more effectively. Ultimately, Russell and Piastri must adjust their approaches to keep pace with their competitors in this evolving racing landscape.
the-race.comFri 18 Sep · 09:11 UTC
via RacingNews365RUMOURSergio Perez praises Cadillac's new factory developmentSergio Perez and teammate Valtteri Bottas recently toured Cadillac's new factory, expressing their admiration for the facility. Team Principal Graeme Budkowski addressed speculation regarding the operation during the visit.RacingNews365+ 1 moreThu 17 Sep · 17:10 UTC