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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.
via RacingNews365Furious Max Verstappen 'completely done' after latest Red Bull problemMax Verstappen expressed his anger after a battery issue hindered his performance during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, resulting in an eighth-place finish. He had been competitive earlier in the session but faced difficulties in Q3, which he attributed to the car's failure to charge properly and other mechanical problems.
Verstappen, who had shown strong pace throughout the weekend, felt that the changes made to the car did not yield positive results. He was particularly frustrated with the inability to push effectively due to the battery not being fully charged, leading to a disappointing qualifying session that left him significantly behind his teammate Isack Hadjar.
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc in complete agreement about George Russell's Baku pole lapGeorge Russell was in his own league during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Friday, leading Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri by nearly nine ...
via espn.comGeorge Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after poleGeorge Russell secured his first Formula 1 victory since Austria by winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, having started from pole position. He successfully defended against a late challenge from Max Verstappen to clinch the win.
via CrashLewis 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 slipstream. Hamilton noted that his performance deteriorated throughout the session, ultimately finishing 0.5 seconds slower.
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.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell's "biggest threat" in Azerbaijan GP: Max Verstappen or Kimi Antonelli?George Russell, driving for Mercedes, has qualified in pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and considers Max Verstappen his biggest threat in the race. Kimi Antonelli, his teammate, crashed during qualifying, which left him starting in 16th place despite having shown strong pace earlier in the season. Russell acknowledged Antonelli's potential for a comeback, referencing his impressive recovery from 19th to first in Monza.
Verstappen faced difficulties in qualifying, finishing 8th due to issues with his internal combustion engine. Russell, currently 81 points behind Antonelli in the drivers' championship, expressed a renewed sense of confidence and excitement as he prepares for the race, despite the pressure of needing to improve his season performance.
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.
via RaceFansGeorge Russell secures pole for Azerbaijan Grand PrixGeorge Russell will start the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from pole position for Mercedes. The starting grid has been adjusted due to penalties affecting several drivers.
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli criticises himself after Baku qualifying crashKimi Antonelli expressed frustration over his qualifying crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, labelling it a 'very stupid' mistake that left him starting 16th on the grid. The championship leader acknowledged the need to improve his performance following the unforced error in Q1.
via f1oversteer.comArvid Lindblad shares why he now ‘respects’ Max Verstappen more than F1 ‘idol’ Lewis HamiltonArvid Lindblad, a driver for Racing Bulls, has expressed that he now holds Max Verstappen in higher regard than his childhood idol, Lewis Hamilton. Lindblad, who grew up watching Hamilton dominate Formula 1, has shifted his admiration towards Verstappen, particularly appreciating his race management skills and overall performance as he embarks on his own F1 career.
Having made his F1 debut in 2026 after a rapid rise through the ranks, Lindblad has already shown promise with points finishes in eight of his last nine races. He acknowledges the challenges of transitioning to F1 and sees Verstappen and Charles Leclerc as key figures from whom he can learn to enhance his skills on the track.
via racer.comVerstappen takes charge in third F1 practice session at BakuMax Verstappen secured the fastest time in the third practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Despite gusty conditions, Verstappen managed a session-best time of 1m 43.922s, showcasing competitive performance throughout the hour.
Russell initially led the session before Verstappen's late effort, while Hamilton's strong slipstreaming helped him achieve a high speed of 320kph. Other notable performances included Kimi Antonelli in fourth and Pierre Gasly in sixth, while Sergio Perez struggled, finishing 16th. The session was marked by challenging wind conditions that affected several drivers.
via RacingNews365The evidence behind Max Verstappen being a real Mercedes Baku pole threatMax Verstappen enters the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying as a strong contender after finishing first in the final practice session. Despite not having secured a pole position in the 2026 season, his recent performances indicate he is closing in on that goal, having qualified third in Spain and sixth in Italy.
Red Bull has introduced a significant aerodynamic upgrade for this race, which includes a redesigned floor and diffuser aimed at enhancing downforce. Team principal Laurent Mekies has stated that this will be the team's final major development for the season as they shift focus to the 2027 car. With Baku's unique track characteristics favouring Red Bull, Verstappen's chances of achieving his first pole of the season look promising.
via Formula1.comVerstappen beats Russell and Hamilton in Azerbaijan FP3Max Verstappen secured the fastest time in Free Practice 3 for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a lap of 1 minute 43.922 seconds. He edged out George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who finished second and third respectively, as drivers pushed their limits on the challenging Baku circuit.
The session saw several drivers struggle with the windy conditions, leading to multiple incidents, including Lance Stroll damaging his Aston Martin after hitting the wall. Despite the challenges, Verstappen's performance placed him in a strong position ahead of the qualifying session later in the day.
via the-race.comWhat happened in F1 2026 Azerbaijan GP final practiceIn the final practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen of Red Bull emerged as the fastest driver, clocking a time of 1m43.922s. He edged out Mercedes' George Russell, who was just 0.099 seconds slower, while Lewis Hamilton claimed third place, 0.111 seconds off Verstappen's pace. Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc completed the top five, showcasing a competitive session.
The session was marked by tight competition, with only half a second separating positions 10th to 17th. Oscar Piastri led the McLaren team in seventh, while Fernando Alonso struggled in 20th place. Lance Stroll experienced a notable incident when he clipped the pitwall, adding to the drama of the session. Overall, the practice highlighted the close racing expected for the upcoming Grand Prix.
via F1iMax Verstappen leads final practice at Azerbaijan Grand PrixMax Verstappen topped the timing boards during Free Practice 3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, benefiting from Red Bull's final major upgrade package of the season. The session took place on Friday in Baku, ahead of the race weekend.
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen denies George Russell clean sweep in F1 Baku FP3Max Verstappen claimed the fastest time in Free Practice 3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating George Russell by 0.099 seconds. This victory prevented Russell from achieving a clean sweep of the practice sessions, as he had dominated the earlier sessions with a Mercedes 1-2 finish alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli.
The final practice session was marked by chaotic conditions, with several drivers struggling with grip and making mistakes. Verstappen's late push saw him rise to the top of the leaderboard, while Hamilton and Antonelli also showed strong performances. The session set the stage for a competitive qualifying ahead.
via PlanetF1Verstappen fastest in Baku as tow drops quali clue and Stroll crashesMax Verstappen topped the timesheets in the third practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a lap of 1:43.922 to outpace George Russell by a narrow margin. Lewis Hamilton also showed competitive pace, finishing third, just 0.111 seconds off Verstappen's best time. The session saw a slow start, with only a handful of drivers setting times early on, but it picked up as the drivers switched to soft tyres for qualifying simulations.
Lance Stroll's session ended prematurely after he crashed into the wall, adding to Aston Martin's woes as they already face significant grid penalties. Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz faced their own challenges, with Antonelli reporting handling issues and Sainz being noted for investigation by the stewards. Overall, the session was marked by close competition among the top teams as they prepared for qualifying.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen threatens in 'kangaroo' Red Bull as Mercedes Baku dominance endsMax Verstappen secured the fastest time in the final practice session ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a 1m 43.922s. This performance marked a shift in momentum, as Mercedes had dominated earlier practices with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finishing second and third respectively, but could not match Verstappen's pace in the final session.
The practice session began slowly, with drivers adjusting to track conditions after overnight repairs. Verstappen expressed frustration with his car's handling, describing it as 'jumping like a kangaroo.' Despite this, he managed to outperform his competitors, setting the stage for an exciting qualifying session ahead.
via CrashZak Brown keeps future options open for Max VerstappenZak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, stated that the door remains 'wide open' for Max Verstappen to potentially join the team in the future. Brown expressed his admiration for Verstappen following their discussions last summer, despite the Dutch driver being contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2030.Page 16 of 65