News239 stories
RSS ↗
via BBC SportRussell faultless while Hadjar excellent on return - driver ratingsGeorge Russell dominated the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing his third victory of the season by leading the race from start to finish. Max Verstappen finished closely behind in second place, while Isack Hadjar made a strong return from injury to claim third. Kimi Antonelli, Russell's Mercedes teammate, managed to recover from a poor qualifying position to finish fifth, but his championship lead was cut significantly.
Russell's performance was highlighted by a stunning qualifying lap that put him on pole by over eight tenths of a second. Despite pressure from Verstappen towards the end of the race, Russell maintained his lead. The race showcased impressive recoveries from several drivers, including Antonelli and Hadjar, while others faced challenges that affected their results.
Sat 26 Sep · 17:04 UTC/Piastri%20post-race%20Madrid.webp)
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.
+ 6 moreSat 26 Sep · 16:58 UTC
via Motorsport WeekLewis Hamilton questions Ferrari's performance in BakuLewis Hamilton expressed confusion over Ferrari's struggles during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he qualified and finished sixth. The Mercedes driver noted that Ferrari was over 1.3 seconds off the pace, highlighting a significant drop from their previous competitiveness.
+ 2 moreSat 26 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via Formula1.comIsack Hadjar praises Baku podium after injury returnIsack Hadjar described his third-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'real first' podium after returning from a wrist injury that sidelined him for six weeks. Red Bull's Hadjar received praise from Laurent Mekies, who called his performance 'outstanding'.+ 3 moreSat 26 Sep · 15:25 UTC
via Motorsport.comRed Bull updates on Isack Hadjar's wrist injuryRed Bull Racing's boss Laurent Mekies provided an update on Isack Hadjar's wrist injury following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team also defended its race strategy involving Max Verstappen and Hadjar amidst criticism.
+ 2 moreSat 26 Sep · 14:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJacques Villeneuve criticises Oscar Piastri's errorJacques Villeneuve has labelled Oscar Piastri's double lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'rookie mistake'. The incident caused Piastri to drop to the back of the field in Baku.
+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 14:14 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer mocks Isack Hadjar for being ‘the best guy in the world’ vs Max Verstappen in BakuDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer mocked Isack Hadjar for being overly compliant with Max Verstappen, suggesting he should have fought harder for position. Both Red Bull drivers ended up on the podium, marking their first joint podium since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, with Hadjar praised for his pace after returning from injury.
Palmer highlighted Hadjar's reluctance to challenge Verstappen during the race, questioning whether the Red Bull team was hesitant to ask Verstappen to concede his position. Despite Palmer's criticism, both drivers performed well, with Verstappen narrowly missing out on victory after two safety car periods.Sat 26 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar's Azerbaijan podium under investigationIsack Hadjar's third-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is now under scrutiny as the FIA investigates alleged practice-start infringements. Hadjar, who celebrated his second podium of the season, may face consequences following a summons from the race stewards.
+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 13:44 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar cautious after podium finish in BakuIsack Hadjar expressed caution regarding his health following his third-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver, who recently returned from injury, revealed that his left wrist felt 'numb' after the race.+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 13:04 UTC
via f1technical.netRussell seals excellent weekend with Azerbaijani victoryGeorge Russell dominated the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading from the start to secure victory on 26 September 2026. Max Verstappen finished closely behind in second place, just 0.1 seconds off the pace, while Isack Hadjar, making his return to Formula 1, completed the podium in third. Russell's performance was marked by consistent pace and strategic tyre management, allowing him to maintain a significant lead throughout the race.
The race saw several incidents, including retirements from Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly. Oscar Piastri, who initially held second place, struggled with tyre issues and ultimately dropped to 15th after a lockup. The event featured two safety car periods, which added to the drama, but Russell's late restart allowed him to fend off Verstappen's challenge, securing a well-deserved win.
Sat 26 Sep · 12:54 UTC
via PlanetF1George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix for MercedesGeorge Russell secured his third victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his first career grand slam by leading every lap. The win, which ended a seven-race drought, saw Russell finish narrowly ahead of Max Verstappen in second place.
+ 10 more
via grandprix.comHadjar plays it safe while wrist recoversIsack Hadjar qualified fourth for the Baku Grand Prix, prioritising his recovery from a wrist injury over maximum performance. He consciously left some speed in reserve to avoid the risk of aggravating his injury, especially given the challenging nature of the street circuit. Hadjar acknowledged that he was still regaining his confidence after missing two months of racing.
Despite qualifying ahead of his teammate Max Verstappen, Hadjar noted that Verstappen's performance was hindered by a technical issue. He completed extensive simulator laps to aid his recovery, but still experienced some discomfort. Hadjar is focused on safely navigating the opening lap and hopes to compete effectively while maintaining the caution he has adopted during his recovery.
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.
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc pins hopes on crucial Ferrari trait to challenge in BakuCharles Leclerc is optimistic about Ferrari's race pace as he prepares for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, having secured a surprising second place on the grid despite the team's struggles in free practice. He noted that while the car felt better during qualifying, the significant gap to George Russell remains a concern, particularly regarding straight-line speed and tyre management.
Leclerc highlighted the unpredictability of the car this weekend, which has hindered his ability to take risks on the tight Baku circuit. He remains hopeful that the SF-26 will show its strengths during the race, as it often performs better than in qualifying. Leclerc is determined to give his best effort to challenge for victory against Russell.Sat 26 Sep · 05:00 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton and Ferrari in turmoil after Mercedes humiliation at Azerbaijan Grand PrixLewis Hamilton and Ferrari faced a disappointing qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Hamilton finishing sixth and over 1.3 seconds behind pole position. Despite upgrades to the car, Ferrari's performance fell short, leaving Hamilton feeling dejected and questioning the team's strategy.
The struggles of Ferrari continue as they have not won a drivers' championship since 2007, highlighting ongoing issues within the team. Hamilton's hopes of competing for the title have diminished significantly, and the team appears to be in turmoil as they grapple with their performance and strategy.
Fri 25 Sep · 18:58 UTC
via racer.comPiastri's third in Baku signals McLaren's progressOscar Piastri secured third place in qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, indicating positive development for McLaren's performance. Team principal Andrea Stella noted that Piastri is adapting well to the MCL40, despite Lando Norris facing challenges during the session.
via F1iPiastri ‘surprised’ by Baku P3 qualifying paceOscar Piastri qualified third for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, surprising himself with the pace after a subdued practice session for McLaren. Piastri briefly held second place during qualifying, while Lando Norris finished fifth after a costly lock-up on his final attempt. George Russell took pole position, with Charles Leclerc just ahead of Piastri by a narrow margin.
Piastri remarked on McLaren's tendency to find extra performance during qualifying, contrasting with their practice struggles. Norris, while pleased with his driving, pointed out underlying car issues that limited his performance. Both drivers are now looking to convert their qualifying positions into a strong race performance, despite uncertainties about their race pace.
Fri 25 Sep · 17:02 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc calls for Ferrari upgrades after BakuCharles Leclerc expressed disappointment with Ferrari's performance at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating the team was 'quite far off' the pace of Mercedes and Red Bull. Leclerc also attributed his struggles during the race to issues with the Ferrari SF-26, urging for new upgrades to improve competitiveness.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via Formula1.comOscar Piastri surprised by Baku qualifying paceOscar Piastri expressed his surprise at McLaren's performance during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he secured a spot on the second row. The Australian driver noted that the team's pace had improved significantly compared to their earlier practice sessions.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:20 UTC
via CrashIsack Hadjar claims he could have qualified second in BakuIsack Hadjar qualified fourth for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but believes he could have secured a front-row start if he had not missed the last three races. The Red Bull driver expressed confidence in his performance, stating that a better grid position was achievable.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:08 UTCPage 2 of 12