Charles LeclercFred GambleMax VerstappenIsack HadjarLewis Hamilton 
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen onboard of Baku City Circuit lapThe Baku City Circuit is known for its unique layout, featuring a long straight that provides significant overtaking opportunities, particularly at Turn 1. The circuit's narrow sections, especially in the castle area, present a challenging test for drivers navigating the tight confines of Baku's old town.
Max Verstappen showcases the circuit in the official F1 25 video game, updated for the 2026 season. This onboard lap highlights the extremes of the track, combining high-speed sections with tight corners, making it one of the most exciting street circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.
RacingNews365Wed 23 Sep · 16:05 UTC
via CrashCharles Leclerc reveals the sport Ferrari has banned him from doing outside of F1Charles Leclerc disclosed that Ferrari has prohibited him from skydiving during the Formula 1 season, a decision made after the team expressed their discontent with his previous skydiving activities. He also mentioned that he avoids skiing while racing is ongoing, highlighting the team's concerns about safety during the season.
Leclerc's comments came during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he responded to Isack Hadjar's situation regarding his own injury. Hadjar confirmed he faces no restrictions from Red Bull after recovering from a hand injury sustained while boxing. Leclerc's remarks reflect the balance drivers must maintain between their personal interests and the team's expectations regarding safety.
CrashWed 23 Sep · 16:02 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen makes Le Mans decision amid 2027 F1 calendar gapMax Verstappen has confirmed he will not make his Le Mans debut in 2027, despite the Formula 1 calendar allowing for participation in the race. He stated that while he enjoys endurance racing, Le Mans is not currently on his agenda, focusing instead on returning to the Nürburgring and possibly competing at Spa.
Verstappen's recent experiences in endurance racing have included multiple outings at the Nürburgring, where he has expressed a strong desire to improve upon past performances. As he prepares for the upcoming races, he remains committed to his Formula 1 career, currently sitting sixth in the drivers' standings.
Motorsport WeekWed 23 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via Formula1.comHamilton reveals his focus in the title fightLewis Hamilton has shared his thoughts on the championship battle as he heads into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He acknowledges the challenges faced by Ferrari, particularly after not finishing on the podium since the Belgian Grand Prix, and expresses his desire to maintain second place in the standings while also aiming to catch Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship.
Hamilton remains optimistic about the team's potential for improvement and is focused on enjoying each race. Meanwhile, teammate Charles Leclerc is preparing for the race but is concerned about the possibility of a grid penalty for an upgraded power unit. Both drivers are looking to secure strong results to enhance Ferrari's position in the championship.
Formula1.comWed 23 Sep · 15:23 UTC
via CrashLewis Hamilton shares views on F1's Middle East racesLewis Hamilton has expressed his unexpected stance regarding Formula 1's decision to conclude the 2026 season in the Middle East. His comments come as Red Bull confirmed their driver line-up for 2027 during a media day ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.Crash+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 15:03 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc tried to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes before they signed Kimi AntonelliCharles Leclerc, currently a key driver for Ferrari, explored the possibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season. His manager, Nicolas Todt, engaged in discussions with Mercedes regarding this potential move after they were informed of Hamilton's impending transfer to Ferrari.
Despite these talks, Mercedes opted to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli, leading Leclerc to renew his contract with Ferrari in January 2024. This decision came before Hamilton's official announcement of his move to Ferrari, which was revealed in February 2024. As a result, Leclerc remains with Ferrari through the 2030 season.
f1oversteer.comWed 23 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comVerstappen indifferent to Monaco Sprint race announcementMax Verstappen expressed his lack of concern regarding the announcement of the Sprint race at the Monaco Grand Prix, stating he feels 'no emotion attached to it.' The Red Bull Racing driver has previously voiced his disdain for the Sprint format in Formula 1.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 14:39 UTC
via Motorsport.comJames Hinchcliffe explains why Ferrari is "happy" with Lewis Hamilton-Charles Leclerc rivalryJames Hinchcliffe has expressed that Ferrari is pleased to manage the growing rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. He believes that this competitive dynamic is what Ferrari anticipated when they signed Hamilton, especially after his struggles in the previous season. Hamilton has shown significant improvement in 2026, achieving a podium and a victory, which has elevated his position in the drivers' standings.
Hinchcliffe pointed out that having two strong drivers like Hamilton and Leclerc can enhance team performance, despite the potential for difficult decisions down the line. He emphasized that Ferrari's management, led by Fred Vasseur, is likely satisfied with the current situation, as it aligns with their expectations for Hamilton's role within the team.Motorsport.comWed 23 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Hamilton sets sights on Russell amid defence of Ferrari's seasonLewis Hamilton expressed optimism about Ferrari's season, stating that finishing in the top three of the Drivers' Championship would be a significant achievement despite recent challenges. He urged critics to focus on the positives, highlighting the team's progress compared to last year.
Hamilton, who has not secured a podium since the British Grand Prix, acknowledged the difficulties faced this season, including a recent retirement in Madrid. He remains focused on competing with George Russell for second place in the standings and believes that Ferrari can improve their performance moving forward.
Sky Sports F1Wed 23 Sep · 13:49 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen and Kelly Piquet toast baby joy: 'Fantastic mate!'Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet celebrated the birth of a new family member, Otto Suarez Piquet, born to NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez and Kelly's sister, Julia. The couple announced their pregnancy in April, and Otto's arrival adds to the family's growing collection of children.
Max, who is a proud father to his daughter Lily, shared his joy on social media, calling it a fantastic time for Daniel. Kelly also expressed her eagerness to spoil her new nephew, highlighting the strong family ties within the motorsport community, as both families have a rich racing heritage.
gpfans.comWed 23 Sep · 12:57 UTC
via Formula1.comHadjar elated to ‘come back to the fight’ amid new contractIsack Hadjar is set to return to racing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury that sidelined him for three rounds. The Red Bull driver confirmed that while he is ready to compete, he still experiences some pain from the injury, which was a small fracture he sustained during training over the summer.
Alongside his return, Hadjar announced a contract extension with Red Bull that will see him continue racing alongside Max Verstappen in 2027. Prior to his injury, Hadjar was performing well, achieving seven top-six finishes, including a podium in Monaco, and he is eager to demonstrate his capabilities on the track once again.Formula1.comWed 23 Sep · 11:41 UTC
via gpfans.comRUMOURAston Martin 'approach made' for shock Charles Leclerc swoop from FerrariAston Martin reportedly made an approach to sign Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, but the 28-year-old declined the offer in favour of a new contract with Ferrari that will keep him with the team until at least 2030. This approach came during a tumultuous time for Aston Martin, which had recently changed team principals, although it remains unclear which of their current drivers would have been replaced.
Leclerc's manager, Nicolas Todt, has been active in exploring opportunities for Leclerc, including discussions with Mercedes and McLaren. Despite these talks, Leclerc has reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, expressing confidence in the team's direction and leadership under Fred Vasseur. He remains focused on his goal of winning a world championship with Ferrari.gpfans.comWed 23 Sep · 11:29 UTC
via grandprix.comRed Bull extends Isack Hadjar's contract to 2027Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will remain with the team until 2027. Team boss Laurent Mekies has outlined expectations for Hadjar to continue his development as he prepares to return from injury.grandprix.com+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 09:46 UTC
via grandprix.comLeclerc considers driver management after racingCharles Leclerc has expressed interest in a future role guiding young drivers alongside his manager, Nicolas Todt. While he envisions this possibility after his racing career, he emphasises that his current priority is competing for Ferrari and pursuing a Formula 1 title.
In a recent interview, Leclerc confirmed that he has already spoken with Todt about the potential of working together in driver management. However, he remains fully committed to his racing duties, with the next race in Baku on the horizon, indicating that mentoring young racers will have to wait until he concludes his own racing ambitions.grandprix.comWed 23 Sep · 09:41 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar voices Red Bull 'privilege' after renewed F1 trustIsack Hadjar has expressed a sense of privilege after signing an extension with Red Bull Racing for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The French driver joined the team in 2025 and has made a strong impression, achieving a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix and consistently finishing in the top six throughout the season.
Despite Red Bull's struggles this year, Hadjar remains motivated to help the team return to the top. He acknowledged the talent within the team and the support he has received, stating his commitment to improving and justifying the faith placed in him by Red Bull.RacingNews365Wed 23 Sep · 08:10 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen at Le Mans? F1 calendar reveals growing GT potentialMax Verstappen is keen to return to GT racing, especially after a strong performance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, where he nearly won. The 2027 Formula 1 calendar offers him opportunities to participate in several endurance races, including the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours, which takes place shortly after the Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen's potential 2027 racing calendar includes events like the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Bathurst 12 Hour. He has previously shown interest in these races, and with the schedule allowing for these outings, he is likely to pursue them. His involvement in GT racing could be significant, especially with his team running a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
PlanetF1Wed 23 Sep · 07:04 UTC
via newsonf1.comWolff absent as Antonelli enters gruelling title runToto Wolff will not attend the upcoming race in Baku as the Formula 1 championship enters a challenging phase, with a tight schedule ahead. Bradley Lord will take over Wolff's trackside duties during this period. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar is set to return to the Red Bull team after recovering from a wrist injury, while Liam Lawson will revert to Racing Bulls after a successful stint alongside Max Verstappen.
Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the championship with an 81-point advantage and is focused on maintaining his lead through the demanding upcoming races. He expressed confidence in his physical readiness for the challenges ahead. Despite Mercedes not having made significant upgrades since May, further developments are anticipated in the coming races, and Antonelli's performance is expected to remain strong as he aims for his first title.newsonf1.comWed 23 Sep · 05:56 UTC
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan GP predictions: Leclerc no Antonelli, Russell desperation bites, rookie breakthroughThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set for this weekend, with George Russell needing a win to keep his championship hopes alive, as he trails Kimi Antonelli by 88 points. Russell's desperation may lead to risky driving, especially in the challenging Baku circuit, which has seen multiple crashes in previous years.
Charles Leclerc is likely to face a grid penalty due to engine issues, making a strong performance unlikely. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly is looking to replicate his previous pole position success, and rookie Arvid Lindblad is expected to perform well, potentially finishing in the top five.PlanetF1Wed 23 Sep · 04:54 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen hails former F1 rival: 'Destined for greater things'Max Verstappen has expressed admiration for former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica, stating that he was 'destined for greater things' in the sport. Verstappen highlighted Kubica's talent and the unfortunate circumstances that hindered his career after a life-threatening crash in 2011, which prevented him from achieving his potential in F1.
Kubica made a return to F1 in 2019 with Williams but later transitioned to endurance racing, where he found success by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ferrari. Verstappen, who closely follows endurance racing, shared his happiness at seeing Kubica achieve this significant milestone.RacingNews365Wed 23 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via thejudge13.comRUMOURHamilton’s dating app approach rejected by TV star “…he’s got a screw loose,”Lewis Hamilton reportedly reached out to German television personality Laura Weippert via the dating app Raya, inviting her out. Weippert shared this information during her podcast, explaining that she chose not to respond because she did not see Hamilton as her type and did not want to be associated as a WAG (Wives and Girlfriends) of the famous driver.
Weippert also made a light-hearted comment about Hamilton's personality, suggesting he might have a 'screw loose'. Despite the playful nature of her remarks, there has been no public response from Hamilton regarding this alleged interaction. The incident adds to the list of public figures linked to Hamilton's dating life.
thejudge13.comTue 22 Sep · 22:42 UTC
via gpfans.comJenson Button's wife defends Charles Leclerc's actionsJenson Button's wife has come to the defence of Charles Leclerc following criticism from David Coulthard regarding Leclerc's behaviour off the track. The Ferrari driver has faced scrutiny for prioritising family commitments, prompting support from Button's wife.gpfans.com+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 21:27 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies shares the 'doubts' that nearly stopped Max Verstappen extending his Red Bull contractMax Verstappen had serious doubts about his future with Red Bull, contemplating a move to another team or even retirement at the end of 2026. However, after discussions regarding the implications of new regulations and assurances about the team's competitiveness, he ultimately decided to extend his contract with Red Bull until 2030.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, highlighted that Verstappen's concerns were addressed through collaborative efforts with Formula 1 and the FIA. The changes in engine regulations, which will shift the balance towards more internal combustion engine dependency, played a crucial role in restoring Verstappen's confidence in the sport and his team.f1oversteer.comTue 22 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comF1 teams must not help Honda after seeing them dominate the sport with Max VerstappenHonda is facing significant challenges in the 2026 Formula 1 season, particularly with their partnership with Aston Martin, which has led to discussions about potential replacements for their underperforming engine. Rival teams have previously provided financial assistance to Honda, fearing their exit from the sport, but there is now caution about offering too much support due to Honda's history of dominance with Max Verstappen from 2021 to 2024.
As the F1 landscape prepares for a shift in engine regulations favouring internal combustion engines starting in 2027, there are concerns that if Honda receives additional backing, they could quickly regain their competitive edge. This has led to a divided opinion among teams, with some advocating for caution to prevent Honda from leveraging any support to become a dominant force once again.f1oversteer.comTue 22 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRed Bull still haven’t seen how good Liam Lawson really is after ending his stint one race too earlyRed Bull Racing has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will return to the team for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending Liam Lawson's stint as a substitute driver. Lawson had previously replaced Hadjar and performed well, scoring points in his debut race at Zandvoort and achieving a career-best fifth place at Baku last year.
The decision to end Lawson's time with Red Bull comes as he was poised to potentially excel at the Baku circuit, where he had previously qualified third and finished fifth. The team has been noted for having the best internal combustion engine, which could have further enhanced Lawson's performance had he continued in the RB22.f1oversteer.comTue 22 Sep · 17:00 UTC