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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.
Sun 27 Sep · 13:04 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.
Sun 27 Sep · 12:20 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.
Sun 27 Sep · 11:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comRed Bull impressed by Isack Hadjar's F1 returnIsack Hadjar made a strong return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing after recovering from a wrist injury. His performance at the challenging Baku City Circuit particularly impressed the team.
+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 10:10 UTC52
via PlanetF12026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix driver ratings releasedThe driver ratings for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix have been published, highlighting George Russell's near-perfect performance. Franco Colapinto received criticism for what was described as the ultimate motorsport sin during the race.+ 2 moreSun 27 Sep · 08:08 UTC71.webp)
via Formula1.comHow the faster Hadjar helped Verstappen to second place in BakuMax Verstappen secured second place in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, aided by his teammate Isack Hadjar. After starting from eighth on the grid, Verstappen showcased his pace, which was hindered during qualifying due to engine issues and yellow flags.
During the race, Verstappen moved into third place before the team instructed Hadjar to allow him to pass. This strategic move enabled Verstappen to chase down the race leader, George Russell, after he had already overtaken Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Sun 27 Sep · 08:05 UTCAntonelli admits ‘grandma’ approach in BakuSep.27 (GMM) George Russell says his only target now is to win every remaining race after delivering what he described as his most dominant Formula 1 weekend in Baku. Russell completed a ‘grand slam’ weekend and cut Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead by 15 points, even though Max Verstappen finished only a tenth behind him. “Win…
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.
Sun 27 Sep · 06:30 UTCvia RacingNews365Max Verstappen branded 'shark' after sniffing George Russell 'blood in the water'During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen applied intense pressure on George Russell in the closing laps, finishing just two tenths of a second behind him. Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord described Verstappen's pursuit as akin to a shark sensing blood in the water, highlighting the high stakes as Russell managed to maintain his lead despite the challenges.
Russell's victory was not without its difficulties, as safety car interruptions erased his earlier advantage. A late crash by Valtteri Bottas added to the tension for the Mercedes team, who were concerned about Russell losing power. Ultimately, Russell's performance secured him the win, marking a significant achievement in his career.Sun 27 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar earns "team-mate points" after "exceptional comeback" in Baku, says Alex BrundleIsack Hadjar received acclaim for his impressive comeback drive, finishing third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury. His performance was highlighted by F1 TV pundit Alex Brundle, who noted Hadjar's ability to follow team orders and maintain pace, contributing to a strong result for Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen.
Brundle and 1996 champion Damon Hill both commended Hadjar's resilience and the team's overall strength. With Hadjar and Verstappen now positioned sixth and eighth in the drivers' championship, Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors' standings, bolstered by points scored by Liam Lawson during Hadjar's absence.Sat 26 Sep · 21:35 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell wins 2026 Azerbaijan Grand PrixGeorge Russell of Mercedes secured his first victory since June at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The final results were confirmed following the application of penalties.+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 20:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar team orders at Azerbaijan GP show Liam Lawson was right all along about Red BullAt the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first double podium in two and a half years. Hadjar demonstrated his commitment to team orders by allowing Verstappen to pass him early in the race, despite having a slight pace advantage. However, when Verstappen struggled to overtake Oscar Piastri, Hadjar's willingness to follow orders was put to the test as he later requested to race against his teammate.
The race highlighted the dynamics within Red Bull, where Verstappen's dominance often limits his teammates' opportunities to compete on equal terms. Hadjar's performance and subsequent contract renewal suggest he is prepared to embrace a supportive role in exchange for driving a competitive car. This situation echoes Liam Lawson's earlier comments about the challenges faced by Verstappen's teammates, who must adapt to the team's structure that prioritises Verstappen's success.Sat 26 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via BBC Sport'Mr Saturday' Russell 'comes through other side' after 'real tough period'George Russell achieved a significant victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his first win since the end of June and his third of the 2026 season. This win comes after a challenging period for Russell, who has struggled to keep pace with his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who has dominated the season with eight victories. Russell's triumph has reduced the points gap between him and Antonelli to 66, providing a glimmer of hope as the season progresses.
Throughout the race weekend, Russell demonstrated superior performance, being fastest in practice and maintaining his lead despite a late challenge from Max Verstappen. Antonelli faced difficulties, including a qualifying mistake that left him starting from 16th. Russell's win is seen as a turning point, showcasing his resilience and hard work in adapting to the new car. Mercedes is expected to introduce a significant upgrade in the upcoming Bahrain/Malaysia race, which could further impact the championship standings.
Sat 26 Sep · 17:44 UTC
via espn.comRussell warns Antonelli: 'Pressure is on you'George Russell achieved a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking the most dominant performance of his career. He won the race after starting from pole position and narrowly held off Max Verstappen, finishing just 0.1 seconds ahead. This win allowed Russell to reduce Kimi Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points, as Antonelli struggled to recover from a poor qualifying performance that left him starting in 16th place.
Despite his fifth-place finish, Antonelli remains in control of the championship standings. He acknowledged that he drove conservatively during the race, aiming to secure points rather than take risks. Russell, on the other hand, expressed renewed confidence in his ability to compete for victories in the remaining races of the season, emphasizing his determination to win every race moving forward.Sat 26 Sep · 17:40 UTC
via BBC SportRussell faultless while Hadjar excellent on return - driver ratingsGeorge Russell dominated the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing his third victory of the season by leading the race from start to finish. Max Verstappen finished closely behind in second place, while Isack Hadjar made a strong return from injury to claim third. Kimi Antonelli, Russell's Mercedes teammate, managed to recover from a poor qualifying position to finish fifth, but his championship lead was cut significantly.
Russell's performance was highlighted by a stunning qualifying lap that put him on pole by over eight tenths of a second. Despite pressure from Verstappen towards the end of the race, Russell maintained his lead. The race showcased impressive recoveries from several drivers, including Antonelli and Hadjar, while others faced challenges that affected their results.Sat 26 Sep · 17:04 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAndrea Stella acknowledges McLaren's Azerbaijan errorsAndrea Stella stated that McLaren must learn from their mistakes following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced challenges, with Stella admitting the team played a role in Piastri's lock-up during the race.+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via F1iVerstappen doubts better grid spot could have denied RussellMax Verstappen finished second in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, acknowledging that George Russell had superior pace throughout the race. Despite starting from eighth due to qualifying troubles, Verstappen managed to climb through the field but found it challenging to overtake Oscar Piastri and ultimately could not threaten Russell's lead.
Verstappen noted that even with a better starting position, Russell's performance would likely have kept him ahead. The race was influenced by two safety cars, which allowed Verstappen to switch to softer tyres, enhancing his performance in the final laps. However, he concluded that Russell's pace would have made it difficult to secure a victory regardless of his starting position.
Sat 26 Sep · 16:09 UTC
via gpfans.comVasseur criticises Horner's distraction at FerrariFrederic Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, has stated that Christian Horner is becoming a distraction for the team as he expresses interest in a potential role with Ferrari. Vasseur's comments come amid ongoing speculation about Horner's future and Ferrari's current struggles in Formula 1.
+ 2 moreSat 26 Sep · 15:55 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 the-race.comFranco Colapinto apologises for Azerbaijan GP crashFranco Colapinto has expressed regret for his actions during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he collided with his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris. The incident occurred during a safety car restart, resulting in both drivers being taken out of the race.
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