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via PlanetF1Verstappen criticises F1's Middle East race plansMax Verstappen has expressed his concerns regarding Formula 1's plans to hold races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, citing safety issues due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Verstappen believes that contractual obligations should not take precedence over the safety of participants and fans.
via f1technical.net"It was undoubtedly his best race with us so far," claims Mekies as he hails Red ...Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies commended the team's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, describing it as their best weekend of the season. Max Verstappen recovered from an eighth-place start to finish second, while Isack Hadjar, returning from injury, secured third place, marking a significant turnaround for the team after earlier struggles this season.
Mekies highlighted the progress made by Red Bull, noting their competitiveness against Mercedes. He praised both drivers for their teamwork and performance, particularly emphasizing Hadjar's impressive return. The double podium reflects a major improvement for Red Bull, showcasing the effectiveness of their recent upgrades and the collective effort of the team.
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen F1 nightmare as Red Bull boss reveals 'huge problem'Max Verstappen has raised concerns about his car's performance, describing it as 'degrading' during races. Red Bull's leadership, including Laurent Mekies and Pierre Wache, have confirmed these issues, with Wache admitting he lacks confidence in a full fix before the next season. The team is shifting focus to 2027, marking the upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as their last significant package for the year.
Despite these challenges, Red Bull managed to secure a double podium in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Verstappen finishing second, just behind George Russell. This result allowed Red Bull to close the gap to McLaren in the constructors' championship, reducing their deficit from 76 points to 43 points. However, the team acknowledges that significant work remains to be done to improve their car's performance.
via RacingNews365Red Bull and Verstappen disagree on grid penalty outcomeMax Verstappen has indicated that he expects a grid penalty to be forthcoming, while Red Bull Racing's Laurent Mekies has expressed uncertainty regarding this potential outcome. The differing views highlight a lack of consensus within the team about the implications of recent incidents.
via gpfans.comRalf Schumacher criticises Christian Horner's remarksRalf Schumacher has condemned Christian Horner's comments about former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, calling them 'appalling'. Horner's recent memoir includes critical insights regarding Marko and Max Verstappen's early career at Red Bull.
via Formula1.comIsack Hadjar earns podium in Baku after injury layoffIsack Hadjar secured a podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking a successful return after a six-week injury absence. Red Bull's Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar for his speed, restraint, and tactical awareness during the race.
via RacingNews365Frederic Vasseur warns Christian Horner is a distractionFrederic Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, has stated that Christian Horner is becoming a distraction for the team as he appears to be seeking a new job. Horner has expressed that only a 'dream' role at Ferrari would entice him back to the pit wall.
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.
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya tells Kimi Antonelli to 'stop thinking' after spotting a problem in BakuKimi Antonelli made an impressive recovery in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing fifth after starting from sixteenth. However, his performance raised concerns from Juan Pablo Montoya, who noted that Antonelli seemed to be driving conservatively, potentially due to the pressure of maintaining his championship lead.
Montoya highlighted that Antonelli was slower than usual, suggesting he was overly cautious and not pushing himself to the limit. Antonelli acknowledged his reserved driving style, stating he was in 'let’s save the car' mode and lacked the confidence he had shown in previous races.
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.
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell and Franco Colapinto shine in BakuGeorge Russell and Franco Colapinto were highlighted as key performers at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, each achieving notable results for their respective teams. Meanwhile, Alpine faced significant challenges during the race, marking a disappointing weekend for the team.
via Motorsport WeekLiam Lawson confused by Arvid Lindblad collision in BakuLiam Lawson expressed his confusion regarding the collision with his Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident, which occurred at a safety car restart, has drawn criticism from pundits including Damon Hill, who suggested Lindblad's driving was reckless.
via Motorsport.comRussell and Verstappen criticise Norris on Colapinto banGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen have described Lando Norris's suggestion that Franco Colapinto should receive a race ban as too harsh. The comments follow Colapinto's incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he collided with Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Norris.
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris calls for FIA race bans after Azerbaijan crashLando Norris has urged the FIA to impose race bans following his crash in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating that certain driving behaviours are unacceptable in Formula 1. Max Verstappen, however, disagreed with Norris's reaction, highlighting a different approach to handling such incidents.
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.
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.
via RacingNews365Red Bull updates on Isack Hadjar's wrist injuryRed Bull Racing's boss Laurent Mekies has provided an update on Isack Hadjar's wrist injury following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team also addressed the strategic decisions made during the race involving Max Verstappen and Hadjar.
via RaceFansRussell and Verstappen enjoy thrilling Baku finaleGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen described the final laps of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as exceptionally enjoyable and intense. Russell noted that the performance of the tyres contributed to the excitement during the closing stages of the race.
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.
via grandprix.comKimi Antonelli drives cautiously to fifth in BakuKimi Antonelli described his approach during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as driving 'like my grandmother' after recovering from a qualifying mistake to finish fifth. He expressed relief at completing the race in a 'damage-safe mode' after starting from 16th on the grid.Page 5 of 45