Franco ColapintoGeorge RussellLando Norris 
via PlanetF1Winners and losers from the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand PrixGeorge Russell delivered a standout performance at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, winning the race and reigniting his championship hopes. He dominated the weekend, showcasing his speed and resilience, particularly after overcoming challenges earlier in the season. Russell expressed pride in his team's efforts and his growing confidence with the car, despite being significantly behind in the championship standings.
Conversely, Franco Colapinto faced severe backlash after crashing into teammate Lando Norris, jeopardising Alpine's points in the Constructors' Championship. Colapinto took full responsibility for his mistake, which could have costly implications for the team. His actions have drawn the ire of team principal Flavio Briatore, who is contemplating potential disciplinary measures, while the situation has escalated tensions among fans on social media.
PlanetF1Mon 28 Sep · 06:29 UTC
via f1technical.netNorris opens up on his technical issues in BakuLando Norris faced a challenging Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ultimately retiring after a collision during a Safety Car restart. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, also encountered difficulties, losing a potential podium after a late-race mistake. Norris expressed frustration over the team's lack of straight-line speed and the unfortunate circumstances that led to his retirement.
Following the race, Norris called for the FIA to impose stricter penalties for incidents like his, suggesting that drivers causing major collisions during Safety Car restarts should face race bans. Despite the disappointing outcome, he believes McLaren can take positives from the weekend and is focused on improving performance ahead of the next race in Malaysia.
f1technical.netMon 28 Sep · 03:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comGeorge Russell Claims First Grand Slam of His Career With Baku Win That Slashes Antonelli’s Title LeadGeorge Russell secured his first career Grand Slam by winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading every lap and finishing just 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. This victory reduced Kimi Antonelli's championship lead from 81 points to 66, with eight races remaining in the season. Russell expressed that he feels more like himself again after a challenging stretch, crediting his team for their support during tough times.
Antonelli, who had a difficult weekend, crashed in qualifying and started from 16th position, ultimately finishing fifth. Despite this setback, he still maintains a significant lead in the championship standings. Russell's win has revitalised the title race, and he remains determined to win every remaining race this season.
f1chronicle.comSun 27 Sep · 20:25 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris surprised by Oscar Piastri's paceLando Norris stated that McLaren were 'surprised' by Oscar Piastri's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that McLaren must learn from their mistakes after a disappointing race.
f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via RaceFansFeatured Comment: Abusive element in Colapinto’s fanbase are a liability to him | BriefFranco Colapinto, an Alpine driver in Formula 1, is facing backlash as a segment of his fanbase has been involved in abusive online behaviour. This has led to condemnation from his team, who are concerned that the focus on such negativity may overshadow Colapinto's on-track performance.
The situation echoes a past incident in IndyCar where a driver lost their seat due to similar issues with fan abuse. There are growing concerns that Colapinto could face a similar fate if the abusive behaviour continues, impacting his career in Formula 1.
RaceFansSun 27 Sep · 18:50 UTC
via gpfans.comFranco Colapinto faces backlash over Alpine seat threatFranco Colapinto has expressed concern over the potential loss of his Alpine seat due to backlash from fans. The situation has drawn criticism from Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, and Flavio Briatore.
gpfans.com+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 17:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri reveals 'pretty painful' misery after Baku 'surprise'Oscar Piastri expressed his frustration after a double front lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ruined what could have been a strong race for him. The incident occurred on lap 40 while he was defending his position, dropping him from second to the rear of the field, and he ultimately finished in 13th place, leaving McLaren without any points.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Piastri noted that he had made progress throughout the weekend, feeling more comfortable and capable of extracting better lap times from his car. He acknowledged the painful nature of the result but remained optimistic about his performance leading up to the incident.
RacingNews365Sun 27 Sep · 17:30 UTC
via RacingNews365RUMOURChristian Horner stirs Ferrari pot as Lando Norris hits out – International Media ReactsGeorge Russell emerged victorious in a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but the aftermath was dominated by Franco Colapinto's collision and speculation surrounding Christian Horner's future. Horner indicated that Ferrari is the only team he would consider joining as an employee, which has become a distraction for Ferrari's team principal Frederic Vasseur during race weekends.
Lando Norris criticized Colapinto's actions that led to his retirement, demanding stricter penalties for such incidents. Despite Ferrari's technical shortcomings, Vasseur noted that the team still managed to outscore McLaren in the race. Other notable events included Pierre Gasly's frustration over his retirement and Oscar Piastri's dramatic fall in positions due to a lock-up.RacingNews365Sun 27 Sep · 16:45 UTC
via the-race.comF1's penalty points system has a big blindspotFranco Colapinto's recent crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has highlighted significant flaws in Formula 1's penalty points system. After losing control of his Alpine and colliding with team-mate Pierre Gasly, which also took out Lando Norris, Colapinto received a 10-second penalty that he could not serve due to his retirement from the race. Instead, he will face a five-place grid penalty at the next race in Malaysia, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from fellow drivers regarding its fairness and severity.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion among drivers about the effectiveness of the penalty points system, which was designed to deter repeat offenders. Currently, no penalty points have been issued for collisions this season, raising concerns that the system is not adequately addressing dangerous driving. Many believe that the absence of penalty points for such incidents represents a significant oversight, as it sets a concerning precedent for future races.
the-race.comSun 27 Sep · 15:01 UTC
via Motorsport WeekAlpine condemns online abuse after Colapinto incidentAlpine has issued a statement condemning the online abuse directed at drivers, media, and rival teams following the controversial collision involving Franco Colapinto and Lando Norris. The team highlighted the negative impact of such behaviour in the wake of the incident during the Baku race.
Motorsport Week+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 13:38 UTC
via PlanetF1Lando Norris ‘race ban’ theory under Verstappen, Hadjar and Russell scrutinyLando Norris has called for a race ban for Franco Colapinto following a multi-car collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which resulted in Norris retiring from the race. Norris believes that Colapinto's actions were careless and deserving of a ban, stating that such incidents cost teams significant amounts of money.
However, his request has faced criticism from fellow drivers George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Isack Hadjar, who feel that a race ban is too severe for what they consider a small mistake. Colapinto received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision, which has been converted into a five-place grid drop for his next race.PlanetF1Sun 27 Sep · 13:04 UTC
via f1technical.netColapinto handed five-place grid penalty after Baku collisionFranco Colapinto has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the next Formula 1 race after being deemed predominantly responsible for a collision during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident occurred at Turn 1 on Lap 36, where Colapinto attempted to overtake teammate Pierre Gasly but braked too late, causing a crash that also involved Lando Norris, leading to all three drivers retiring from the race.
The FIA stewards investigated the incident and concluded that Colapinto was wholly to blame, rejecting the possibility of a more lenient penalty typically applied to first-corner incidents. As Colapinto retired from the race, he could not serve the usual 10-second time penalty, resulting in the conversion of his sanction to a five-place grid drop for his next race.f1technical.netSun 27 Sep · 13:00 UTC
via espn.comNorris targeted with online abuse, called for banLando Norris has been targeted with significant online abuse after he urged Formula 1 to impose a ban on Franco Colapinto, following a collision that led to a three-car pile-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident forced Norris to retire from the race, prompting backlash from Colapinto's supporters on social media.
In response to the abuse, Colapinto's team, Alpine, issued a statement condemning the hate directed not only at Norris but also at other members of the Formula 1 community. They emphasised the need to address online abuse and promote healthy competition within the sport. Following the race, Norris's championship hopes appear diminished as he trails Kimi Antonelli by 116 points, while George Russell's victory has positioned him as Antonelli's primary title challenger.
espn.comSun 27 Sep · 12:20 UTCvia espn.comNorris targeted with online abuse, called for banLando Norris has been targeted with significant online abuse after he urged Formula 1 to impose a ban on Franco Colapinto, following a collision that led to a three-car pile-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident forced Norris to retire from the race, prompting backlash from Colapinto's supporters on social media.
In response to the abuse, Colapinto's team, Alpine, issued a statement condemning the hate directed not only at Norris but also at other members of the Formula 1 community. They emphasised the need to address online abuse and promote healthy competition within the sport. Following the race, Norris's championship hopes appear diminished as he trails Kimi Antonelli by 116 points, while George Russell's victory has positioned him as Antonelli's primary title challenger.espn.comSun 27 Sep · 12:20 UTC
via CrashAlpine issues statement as Lando Norris targeted by online abuse after Franco Colapinto remarksAlpine has publicly condemned the online abuse directed at Lando Norris following his call for Franco Colapinto to be banned from Formula 1. This came after Colapinto caused a significant crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which eliminated both Norris and his teammate Pierre Gasly from the race.
The team emphasised the need to address the issue of online hate, stating that such behaviour is unacceptable regardless of the circumstances. Colapinto has acknowledged his mistake and will face a five-place grid penalty in the next race, while Alpine continues to advocate for a healthier sporting environment.
CrashSun 27 Sep · 11:47 UTC
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.RacingNews365Sun 27 Sep · 11:10 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMotorsport Week’s 2026 F1 Azerbaijan GP Driver RatingsGeorge Russell achieved his first victory of the 2026 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the race weekend. He started from pole position and maintained control despite pressure from Max Verstappen, who finished just a tenth of a second behind him at the chequered flag. Isack Hadjar made a strong comeback to secure third place after recovering from a wrist injury that had sidelined him for three races.
Kimi Antonelli managed to limit damage by finishing fifth after starting from P16 due to a qualifying incident. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled with pace, finishing fourth and sixth respectively. Arvid Lindblad and Esteban Ocon also scored points, while Oliver Bearman ended his point-less streak by finishing ninth. Liam Lawson faced difficulties after a collision with his teammate Lindblad.Motorsport WeekSun 27 Sep · 11:01 UTC
via the-race.comGary Anderson: Alpine should handle Colapinto action, not the FIAGary Anderson argues that Alpine should take responsibility for Franco Colapinto's actions following his crash involving team-mate Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Flavio Briatore, Alpine's team boss, has stated he will consider what course of action to take regarding Colapinto, who already faces a five-place grid penalty for the incident.
Anderson reflects on the importance of teams maintaining discipline among drivers and suggests that the responsibility for reprimands should lie with the team rather than the FIA. He also critiques Norris's demand for a race ban for Colapinto, noting that such incidents are common in racing and should be addressed internally by the team.the-race.comSun 27 Sep · 09:32 UTC
via CrashCould Alpine bench Franco Colapinto for Malaysia and who could replace him?Alpine is contemplating disciplinary action against Franco Colapinto following a significant crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he took out both his teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris. Flavio Briatore, Alpine's chief, expressed his disappointment and indicated that the team would reflect on the situation to determine appropriate measures, which could range from a warning to benching Colapinto for the upcoming race in Malaysia.
If Alpine decides to replace Colapinto, their options are limited to reserve drivers Paul Aron and Kush Maini, with Aron likely being the preferred choice due to his experience in Formula 1 practice sessions. Other potential candidates include Daniil Kvyat and Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti, but there are concerns about their performance compared to Colapinto, who has contributed significantly to the team's points this season.CrashSun 27 Sep · 08:53 UTC
via Motorsport.comMercedes did not expect Monza repeat from AntonelliMercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord stated that Kimi Antonelli was never expected to replicate his previous performance from Monza during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell secured victory at the Baku City Circuit, converting his pole position into a win for Mercedes.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 06:55 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris is already in disbelief over what he's heard about Mercedes' 'big upgrade' for SepangLando Norris has voiced skepticism regarding claims from Mercedes about a significant upgrade expected for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix. According to reports, some sources within Mercedes suggest that the upgrade could provide a half-second improvement in lap time, a notion Norris dismissed as unrealistic, stating that typical upgrades yield only two-tenths of a second.
The discussion arose after George Russell's recent pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he won by a narrow margin of 0.196 seconds. This upcoming upgrade will be only the second major enhancement for the Mercedes W17 this season, following an earlier update introduced at the Canadian Grand Prix.f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 results: Final classification with all penalties applied from BakuGeorge Russell claimed victory at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading from start to finish despite pressure from Max Verstappen in the closing laps. This win marks Russell's first since June, with Verstappen finishing just 0.196 seconds behind, making it one of the closest finishes in recent history.
Red Bull's Isack Hadjar secured third place, contributing to the team's first double podium since 2024. McLaren faced a challenging race, with Lando Norris crashing out and Oscar Piastri finishing 14th. Franco Colapinto was penalised for causing a collision, which will affect his grid position in the next race.gpfans.comSun 27 Sep · 06:14 UTC
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan GP conclusions: Russell back in the game, Colapinto ban demand, untelevised Hamilton radioLewis Hamilton's untelevised team radio during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has come under scrutiny after he called for a ban on Lando Norris following a racing incident. This demand has sparked discussions about the implications of such requests in Formula 1, particularly regarding driver conduct and team dynamics.
In the same race, George Russell secured his third victory of the 2026 season, holding off Max Verstappen, who finished second. Isack Hadjar achieved a notable third place, marking Red Bull's first double podium finish since 2024. The race highlighted the ongoing competitive tensions within the sport, especially as Hamilton's comments add to the narrative surrounding driver accountability and the enforcement of racing standards.PlanetF1Sun 27 Sep · 05:04 UTC
via f1technical.net"I never lost that faith in myself," claims Russell after his dominant showing in BakuGeorge Russell secured his first Formula 1 victory since Austria by winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 27 September 2026. Starting from pole position, Russell maintained control for most of the race, but faced significant pressure from Max Verstappen after two Safety Car periods brought the field closer together. Despite a tense final few laps, where he even clipped the wall, Russell managed to fend off Verstappen's challenge and crossed the finish line first.
After the race, Russell expressed his pride in the hard work he and his engineering team put in to overcome earlier season difficulties. He highlighted his recent form, having achieved three podiums in the last four races, and conveyed confidence in his ability to compete for victories consistently. Looking ahead, Russell mentioned upcoming upgrades for Mercedes, which he hopes will enhance their performance in future races.f1technical.netSat 26 Sep · 22:00 UTC