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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.
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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 CrashFerrari backs Fred Vasseur amid team scrutinyFerrari has publicly expressed its support for team principal Fred Vasseur during an emergency media call ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. This comes as speculation about Vasseur's position has intensified, with reports highlighting challenges within the team.
+ 2 moreSat 26 Sep · 09:10 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 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 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc blames Ferrari’s F1 car for destroying his ‘strength’ at the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCharles Leclerc has attributed his disappointing performance during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to the unpredictability of his Ferrari SF-26. Despite qualifying in second place, he was significantly outpaced by George Russell, who took pole position by a margin of eight and a half tenths of a second.
Leclerc noted that he struggled to maintain his usual precision and risk-taking ability due to the car's inconsistent behaviour, particularly in the tight and twisting sectors of the Baku City Circuit. He acknowledged that while Ferrari's straight-line speed had improved, the overall performance of the car hindered his strengths during qualifying.
Fri 25 Sep · 16:30 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 UTC
via Motorsport WeekRed Bull admits Max Verstappen issue cannot be fixedRed Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged that the team is unable to resolve a persistent issue affecting Max Verstappen's car. The problem is expected to remain unresolved until at least 2027.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via the-race.comWinners and losers from F1 Azerbaijan GP qualifyingGeorge Russell dominated the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, achieving pole position with a significant margin of 0.837 seconds. His teammate Kimi Antonelli faced difficulties, qualifying 16th after a collision with the barrier, while Max Verstappen struggled with engine problems, finishing 8th. Isack Hadjar impressed with a 4th place finish, just missing out on the front row, while Audi's performance was disappointing, with both drivers exiting in Q1.
Carlos Sainz's 9th place marked a notable achievement for Williams, who had both cars in Q3 for the first time this season. Esteban Ocon expressed frustration after qualifying 14th, hindered by yellow flags. Alpine had a strong showing with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto qualifying 7th and 10th, respectively. Sergio Perez's qualifying session ended in disappointment, as he finished 20th after a series of misfortunes.
Fri 25 Sep · 15:05 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.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:01 UTC
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton criticises Ferrari's qualifying strategyLewis Hamilton expressed frustration over Ferrari's qualifying strategy during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating it left him without a crucial slipstream. He noted that his performance deteriorated throughout the qualifying session.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 14:41 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.Fri 25 Sep · 14:36 UTC
via PlanetF1Alonso and Stroll start from the back in AzerbaijanFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin will start from the back of the grid at the 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to multiple power unit component changes. The full starting grid has been confirmed, with Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and George Russell from Mercedes occupying the front row.+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 14:09 UTC
via RaceFansVerstappen calls Baku qualifying a disaster after issuesMax Verstappen described his qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'disaster' after experiencing an engine problem that hindered his performance. The Red Bull driver will start from eighth on the grid, expressing disappointment with the team's qualifying issues.
+ 6 moreFri 25 Sep · 14:01 UTC
via RaceFans2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in pictures | F1 PicturesThe 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was held at the Baku City Circuit, featuring prominent drivers from various teams. Notable participants included Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris from McLaren, Isack Hadjar from Red Bull, and Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin.
The event showcased a mix of competitive racing and team strategies, with each driver aiming for a strong performance. The picturesque backdrop of Baku added to the excitement of the race, making it a significant event in the 2026 Formula 1 season.Sat 26 Sep · 12:05 UTC
via Motorsport WeekGeorge Russell capitalises on Antonelli shunt with dominant F1 Baku poleGeorge Russell achieved a commanding pole position for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his fifth pole of the season. He finished with a time of 1:42.526, significantly ahead of Charles Leclerc, who was 0.837 seconds slower. This performance comes after a strong qualifying session where Russell capitalised on Kimi Antonelli's early crash, which left Antonelli starting from P16.
The qualifying session saw various ups and downs, including Max Verstappen's disappointing eighth-place finish despite his earlier pace in Free Practice 3. Oscar Piastri's strong performance secured him third on the grid, while Isack Hadjar impressed with a fourth-place finish. The session was marked by multiple yellow flags and competitive times as drivers battled for the best positions on the grid.Fri 25 Sep · 13:35 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell secures pole position in BakuGeorge Russell achieved pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a remarkable lap time that was 0.837 seconds faster than Charles Leclerc, marking the largest margin since Canada 2023. Russell's performance silenced previous doubts from Jacques Villeneuve and showcased his dominance during the qualifying session.+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 13:27 UTCPage 5 of 22