George RussellIsack HadjarLiam LawsonMartin Brundle 
via PlanetF1RUMOURLawson backed to keep Racing Bulls seat despite Tsolov rumoursLiam Lawson is expected to retain his seat with Racing Bulls for the 2027 Formula 1 season, despite speculation regarding a potential replacement by Nikola Tsolov. James Hinchcliffe believes Lawson's impressive performance this season, where he scored the majority of the team's 83 points, justifies his position in the team.
Lawson has demonstrated his capabilities by scoring points in two of his three races with Red Bull, earning praise from team principal Laurent Mekies. Although Red Bull has decided to continue with Isack Hadjar next season, Hinchcliffe and fellow pundit Alex Brundle express confidence that Lawson will remain with Racing Bulls, highlighting his growth as a driver and strong performances throughout the season.
PlanetF1Wed 30 Sep · 17:55 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star admits hiding major injury after 'stupid' punchIsack Hadjar, the 22-year-old French driver for Red Bull Racing, has disclosed that he sustained a broken wrist while training, which led to him missing three races in his debut season. He revealed that the injury occurred during a boxing workout when he struck the bag without proper hand protection, describing the incident as a 'stupid' mistake.
After the injury, Hadjar returned to competition at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he achieved a commendable third-place finish behind George Russell and Max Verstappen. He admitted to initially keeping the injury a secret for a day as he contemplated his options before eventually informing his team principal, Laurent Mekies.
gpfans.comWed 30 Sep · 17:45 UTC
via Motorsport.comAlex Brundle questions McLaren F1 upgrade after Azerbaijan GP disappointmentF1 TV pundit Alex Brundle has raised concerns about McLaren's recent upgrade package following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite the team arriving with significant upgrades, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced incidents that left them without points, prompting Brundle to question the structural integrity of the new components.
Brundle highlighted that while the zero points finish may not reflect the upgrades' potential, the physical fragility of the parts is alarming. He warned that if the upgrades cannot withstand the rigours of racing, they may end up being discarded, which would be a significant setback for the reigning champions.
Motorsport.comWed 30 Sep · 14:16 UTC
via Motorsport.comMercedes braced for tougher strategy calls as George Russell closes on Kimi AntonelliMercedes Formula 1 team is preparing for more challenging strategy decisions as George Russell narrows the championship gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli. Following a dominant victory in Baku, Russell has reduced Antonelli's lead from 81 to 66 points, prompting team principal Toto Wolff to emphasise the importance of equitable treatment for both drivers in race strategies.
With eight races remaining in the season, Russell's resurgence has shifted the dynamics within the team. Wolff noted that the team must carefully evaluate strategy calls to ensure both drivers have equal opportunities, especially as they aim to maintain a competitive edge over their rivals. Additionally, Mercedes has introduced a special livery for the W17 to celebrate the return of the Malaysian Grand Prix.Motorsport.comWed 30 Sep · 12:47 UTC
via F1iToto Wolff perplexed by Mercedes' Sepang upgrade strugglesMercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed confusion over the team's performance following their latest upgrades at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Despite expectations of a three-tenths improvement, Wolff noted that the W17 car instead lost five-tenths due to increased drag and poor handling in low-speed corners.
F1i+ 5 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:43 UTC
via Formula1.comIsack Hadjar praises Max Verstappen as a benchmarkIsack Hadjar expressed his gratitude for having Max Verstappen as a benchmark in Formula 1, describing him as an intimidating reference point. Hadjar, who is in his second season with Red Bull, acknowledged the challenges of competing alongside Verstappen.
Formula1.com+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:31 UTC
via PlanetF1Verstappen warns Mercedes upgrade may shift competitionMax Verstappen expressed caution regarding the impact of Mercedes' significant upgrades ahead of the Sepang practice session. Despite dominating the first practice, Verstappen acknowledged that the changes could alter the competitive landscape in Formula 1.PlanetF1+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell reveals real source of 2026 pressure amid Kimi Antonelli crushingGeorge Russell is facing significant pressure as he aims for the 2026 Formula One championship, currently sitting 81 points behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who has dominated the season with eight wins. Russell has acknowledged that his performance has not been strong enough, attributing his position in the standings to reliability issues and a lack of consistency.
Despite the challenges, Russell insists he is not feeling pressure from the championship race itself but rather from his own performance goals. He remains committed to fighting for victories in every race and is focused on improving his performance rather than dwelling on the championship gap. Mercedes is continuing to work with him to enhance his competitiveness under the current regulations.
RacingNews365Wed 30 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Antonelli fires warning to Russell after ‘grandmother’ Baku driveKimi Antonelli has issued a warning to his Mercedes teammate George Russell following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he finished fifth after crashing in qualifying. Antonelli admitted to driving conservatively during the race, likening his approach to that of his grandmother, and expressed his intent to return to form at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.
Despite his struggles in Baku, Antonelli still holds a significant lead in the Drivers' Championship, although Russell's victory has narrowed the gap to 66 points. Antonelli is determined to regain his competitive edge and re-establish his dominance in the championship as he prepares for the next race.PlanetF1Wed 30 Sep · 09:05 UTC
via the-race.comHow Russell usurped Ocon at MercedesThe article discusses the pivotal moment when George Russell overtook Esteban Ocon as Mercedes' preferred driver, particularly highlighting Ocon's missed opportunities and Russell's impressive performances. Ocon's near chance to race for Mercedes in 2019 and his subsequent struggles to secure a seat are contrasted with Russell's rapid rise through the ranks, culminating in his announcement as Lewis Hamilton's teammate in 2021.
It also examines the decisions made by Toto Wolff regarding the driver line-up, emphasizing the importance of driver compatibility with Hamilton. Ocon's time at Force India and his eventual relegation to a third driver role at Mercedes are noted, along with Wolff's concerns about Ocon's potential pairing with Hamilton, which ultimately influenced the team's decisions regarding their driver contracts.
the-race.comWed 30 Sep · 09:00 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Perez warns F1 rules are becoming dangerousSep.30 (GMM) Sergio Perez has re-joined the ongoing criticism of Formula 1’s new-generation regulations, warning that extreme speed differences caused by energy management are now becoming a real safety concern. The Cadillac driver told Sport1 that he narrowly avoided a major accident while defending from Liam Lawson in Baku. “Above all, we need to closely…newsonf1.comWed 30 Sep · 07:44 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies reveals whether Liam Lawson ever had a chance of getting Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull seatIsack Hadjar has officially secured a new contract with Red Bull ahead of his return from injury at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite missing three races due to a wrist fracture, Hadjar's strong performance earlier in the season, including a podium finish and a 100% qualifying record, led to the team's confidence in him. Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, confirmed that Liam Lawson's temporary stint in the car did not affect their decision regarding Hadjar's future.
Mekies emphasized that Hadjar's development and performance were the primary considerations for the team. He noted that Lawson was a strong alternative but that Red Bull was satisfied with Hadjar's progress and improvement alongside Max Verstappen. Hadjar's contract extension positions him as Verstappen's second-longest-serving teammate since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018, highlighting the team's commitment to his growth in the upcoming season.
f1oversteer.comWed 30 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull point to key 'indicators' behind Isack Hadjar justificationRed Bull confirmed last week that it would stick with Isack Hadjar for the 2027 campaign.RacingNews365Wed 30 Sep · 06:10 UTC
via f1technical.netRussell and Verstappen reveal why Baku’s final laps were so much funGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen expressed their enjoyment of the final laps during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlighting the intensity and excitement of the race. Russell, who secured victory, noted that the closing stages felt like a qualifying session, with both drivers pushing their limits on the Baku circuit.
The race featured two Safety Car periods that brought Verstappen closer to Russell, creating a thrilling battle. Both drivers appreciated the lack of tyre management required in the final stint, allowing them to race at full pace. Verstappen acknowledged the challenges of the Baku circuit, where proximity to the barriers added to the excitement.
f1technical.netWed 30 Sep · 06:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comArvid Lindblad reflects on collision with Liam LawsonArvid Lindblad has spoken about his collision with Liam Lawson during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating that he has learned from the incident. The Racing Bulls teammates were involved in a controversial moment during the safety car restart.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreTue 29 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen clarifies his comments about F1 becoming ‘easier’ after Liam Lawson disagreedMax Verstappen expressed his views on the 2026 Formula 1 cars, stating they are 'numb' to driver inputs, which he believes makes it easier for drivers to find their limits. This comment came after Liam Lawson, who recently replaced Isack Hadjar, performed impressively in qualifying, being only 0.115 seconds slower than Verstappen. Verstappen's remarks have sparked debate, particularly as Lawson disagreed, arguing that adapting to the new car was not straightforward due to the complexities introduced by new energy management protocols.
Verstappen further elaborated that the current cars favour a cautious driving style, allowing many drivers to achieve similar lap times. He noted that the small gaps in qualifying times this year, with seven out of eleven driver pairings within two-tenths of a second, support his theory that the cars do not reward the fastest drivers as much as before. This marks a significant change from the previous year, where the average gap between teammates was larger.f1oversteer.comTue 29 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson's Baku speed trap data proves Laurent Mekies should admit defeat over Red Bull's engineLiam Lawson's impressive speed trap performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has raised questions about Laurent Mekies' ongoing challenges to the ADUO findings, which state that Red Bull has the best engine on the grid. Lawson clocked a top speed of 349.4 km/h, highlighting Red Bull's engine dominance despite Mekies' claims that they do not have an advantage over Mercedes.
The article discusses how Red Bull's development has been hampered compared to competitors like Mercedes and Ferrari, who are introducing power upgrades. While Mekies disputes the ADUO results, the evidence from Baku suggests that Red Bull's engine is indeed strong. The next review of the ADUO findings will occur after the United States Grand Prix, which could further impact Red Bull's standing.f1oversteer.comTue 29 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via Formula1.comWhere does Russell’s Baku win rank in the closest F1 finishes?George Russell secured a narrow victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing just 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. This margin is significant as it places Russell's win among the closest finishes in Formula 1 history, although it falls short of making the top 10 by a mere 0.014 seconds.
The article details the closest finishes in F1, highlighting races from various years, including the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix and the 1971 Italian Grand Prix. These races showcase the intense competition and narrow margins that can occur in Formula 1, with Russell's recent win adding to the legacy of thrilling finishes in the sport.Formula1.comTue 29 Sep · 15:42 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 teams prepare for weather challenges in Bahrain GPFormula 1 teams are bracing for potential thunderstorms and rain during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia this weekend. The FIA has confirmed special measures to address the challenging weather conditions expected throughout the event.gpfans.com+ 1 moreTue 29 Sep · 15:27 UTC
via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar jokes about injury recovery progressIsack Hadjar, the Red Bull Formula 1 driver, has shared that he still lacks full movement in his wrist following an injury sustained during the 2026 summer break. Despite this, he expressed optimism about his recovery, joking that he did a 'good job' while resting during his time off.Motorsport.comTue 29 Sep · 14:30 UTC
via Formula1.comF1 Business Summit adds new Las Vegas speakersThe F1 Business Summit will feature Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, chef Gordon Ramsay, and athlete Russell Wilson among others, taking place in Las Vegas on 19 November 2026. Komatsu's session will focus on leadership and innovation in Formula 1, while Ramsay will explore the business of hospitality during race weekends.
The event will also include discussions on athlete ownership and investment, with a keynote panel featuring Wilson and Shaun White. The Summit runs from 8am to 1pm, starting with a networking breakfast, and coincides with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which occurs shortly after the Summit.Formula1.comTue 29 Sep · 14:10 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell assigns 'most dominant' verdict as F1 title hopes reignitedGeorge Russell described his performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as the most dominant of his career, achieving his first Grand Slam with a commanding victory. He secured pole position by a significant margin and led the race from start to finish, despite pressure from Max Verstappen, who was aiming for his first win of the season.
This victory has reignited Russell's championship hopes, as he has now reduced the points deficit to Kimi Antonelli to 66. Russell had been struggling earlier in the season, sitting 81 points behind Antonelli before the race, but this strong showing has boosted his confidence as he looks to continue closing the gap in upcoming races.RacingNews365Tue 29 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via racer.comTime off gives Hadjar clarity over Red Bull's development progressIsack Hadjar has gained a clearer perspective on Red Bull's car development after missing several races due to a wrist injury. His return at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix resulted in a podium finish, which he views as a significant achievement compared to his earlier performance in Monaco.
Hadjar highlighted the improvements in the car's handling and balance since his last race in Budapest. He took a cautious approach during the weekend in Baku, which he believes contributed to his successful performance. This podium finish has boosted his confidence as he looks ahead to future races.
racer.comTue 29 Sep · 11:35 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar dismisses Red Bull restrictions: 'I'm not five years old'Isack Hadjar has responded to suggestions that Red Bull might impose restrictions on his extracurricular activities following a wrist injury he sustained while training. He humorously remarked that he is not a child and can make his own decisions, despite acknowledging the need to be more cautious in the future.
The injury, which occurred while boxing a punchbag, caused Hadjar to miss several races, including the Dutch Grand Prix. Red Bull has confirmed that they will retain him for the 2027 season, and Hadjar expressed confidence in managing his activities without needing oversight from the team.RacingNews365Tue 29 Sep · 07:50 UTC