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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.
Sun 27 Sep · 11:10 UTC
via espn.comLeclerc: Ferrari's rivals have taken 'big steps'Charles Leclerc acknowledged that Ferrari's rivals, including McLaren and Red Bull, have made significant advancements, stating that Ferrari no longer possesses the best chassis in Formula 1. After finishing fourth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Leclerc confirmed he was using the team's upgraded engine, which had been repaired after a crash in Monza. Despite early season success, Ferrari has struggled to keep pace with Mercedes and Red Bull in recent races.
Leclerc's comments reflect a shift in the competitive landscape, as he noted that Ferrari's aerodynamic package may no longer be the strongest. Currently, Ferrari sits second in the constructors' championship, trailing Mercedes by 160 points while maintaining a 72-point lead over McLaren. Leclerc's candid assessment highlights the challenges Ferrari faces as they aim to improve their performance in the remaining races of the season.
Sun 27 Sep · 10:40 UTC
via Formula1.comLeclerc highlights Ferrari's performance gap to rivalsCharles Leclerc expressed concern over Ferrari's performance deficit following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, noting that Red Bull and McLaren have made significant improvements. He urged Ferrari to bring upgrades to the car in order to close the gap to their competitors.
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via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton accused of sulking over Ferrari issuesLewis Hamilton has been accused of 'sulking' by Italian media following a challenging weekend for Ferrari. Insiders from the Scuderia claim Hamilton's recent criticisms reveal divisions within the team, particularly after his run-in with teammate Charles Leclerc.
+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 08:00 UTC43
via Motorsport.comWhy Mercedes didn’t expect “Monza 2.0” from Kimi Antonelli in BakuKimi Antonelli's performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was not as impressive as his previous race at Monza, where he won from 19th on the grid. Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord stated that Antonelli's recovery drive to finish fifth was commendable, especially after starting from 16th due to a qualifying crash and losing valuable practice time due to a technical issue.
Despite finishing fifth, Antonelli struggled to match the pace of his teammate George Russell, being significantly slower in key moments of the race. Lord noted that the different challenges of the Baku circuit compared to Monza meant expectations should be adjusted, and Antonelli's cautious approach after his qualifying troubles was a wise decision.
Sun 27 Sep · 06:55 UTC
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.Sun 27 Sep · 05:36 UTC
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.Sat 26 Sep · 16:26 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.Sat 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.
Sat 26 Sep · 15:22 UTC
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.+ 3 moreSat 26 Sep · 15:04 UTC26
via Motorsport.comLando Norris criticises Franco Colapinto after Baku crashLando Norris has called for a race ban for Franco Colapinto following a collision that eliminated both him and Pierre Gasly during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris stated that some drivers, including Colapinto, do not deserve to compete in Formula 1.+ 12 more
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen agree about Ferrari after frustrating Azerbaijan Grand PrixLewis Hamilton expressed frustration after finishing sixth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his sixth consecutive race without a podium. He struggled with car balance and straight-line speed, voicing concerns about Ferrari's performance and power relative to other teams. Hamilton's complaints included issues with understeer and battery deployment, which he felt hindered his race.
Max Verstappen echoed Hamilton's sentiments, highlighting Ferrari's weaknesses on the straights. Despite Hamilton's struggles, he remains in third place in the championship standings, aided by Lando Norris' retirement. Meanwhile, Ferrari managed to maintain their position ahead of McLaren in the constructors' standings, despite a challenging race.Sat 26 Sep · 13:08 UTC
via PlanetF1George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix over VerstappenGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing just ahead of Max Verstappen in second place. This win marks Russell's third of the season and ends a challenging period for the Mercedes driver.
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via RacingNews365Franco Colapinto receives penalty for Baku crashFranco Colapinto has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix following his role in a multi-car collision during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident eliminated both his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris from the race.+ 6 moreSat 26 Sep · 12:23 UTC72
via gpfans.comGeorge Russell wins 2026 Azerbaijan Grand PrixGeorge Russell secured victory at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, driving for Mercedes. This win allowed him to reduce Andrea Kimi Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points.
+ 7 moreSat 26 Sep · 09:57 UTC58
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton snubbed as Flavio Briatore names the two F1 drivers who are ‘better than the rest’Flavio Briatore has declared that Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli are the two best drivers currently in Formula 1, overlooking seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. In an interview, Briatore emphasised that while Hamilton has had significant success, he believes he is no longer at the top of the grid, pointing to the exceptional abilities of Verstappen and Antonelli.
Briatore also discussed the importance of having a competitive car to achieve success in F1. He acknowledged that while Verstappen has shown remarkable results with Red Bull, he cannot win without a top-performing vehicle. Additionally, Briatore reflected on his decision to sign Franco Colapinto for Alpine, noting the driver's impressive progress and the necessary support for talent to flourish.Sat 26 Sep · 09:00 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.
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 RaceFansOn This Day: Hamilton scores 100th F1 win as Norris throws away his first | BriefOn 26 September 2021, Lewis Hamilton achieved his 100th Formula 1 victory, capitalising on Lando Norris's decision to remain on slick tyres during a rain shower. This strategic error allowed Hamilton to take the lead and secure the win, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Norris's misjudgment cost him his first grand prix win, while Max Verstappen, who had incurred a power unit change penalty, managed to race from 20th to finish in second place. Hamilton's victory also enabled him to reclaim the lead in the championship standings, intensifying the competition for the title.Fri 25 Sep · 23:01 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri: I need a tow bar to hook onto Mercedes to fight for Baku winOscar Piastri qualified third for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but he expressed doubts about his ability to compete with George Russell of Mercedes, who was significantly faster. Piastri's qualifying time was just 0.001 seconds behind Charles Leclerc, but he lagged 0.838 seconds behind Russell, prompting him to jokingly suggest he needed a tow bar to keep up.
Despite a challenging weekend for McLaren, including a brake issue that required unconventional fixes, Piastri was pleased with his qualifying result. He acknowledged that while Mercedes appeared to have a clear advantage, he believed McLaren could still contend with the other teams in the race, especially with Lando Norris starting fifth.Fri 25 Sep · 23:00 UTCPage 1 of 39
