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via f1oversteer.comTimo Glock saw Laurent Mekies’ real feelings after ‘frustrated’ Max Verstappen rued Red Bull issueMax Verstappen expressed frustration after a battery issue hindered his qualifying performance at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leaving him in P8 on the grid. Despite showing strong pace in practice and Q1, the problem arose during Q3, significantly impacting his speed and lap time.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged that the battery issue ruined Verstappen's chances for a better starting position. Timo Glock observed Mekies' tense demeanor while discussing the situation, raising concerns about potential challenges for Verstappen in the race following a promising start to the weekend.
Sat 26 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comVerstappen says Baku was Red Bull's best chance to winMax Verstappen believes that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was Red Bull Racing's best opportunity to secure a victory in the 2026 Formula 1 season. He attributed his poor starting position to an issue with the internal combustion engine.
+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 06:53 UTC
via newsonf1.comHadjar admits he deliberately held back in BakuIsack Hadjar revealed that he intentionally held back during the Baku qualifying session, prioritising his recovery from a wrist injury. Despite this, he managed to secure a P4 position, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen, who encountered technical issues. Hadjar expressed that while the result was encouraging, it did not reflect his full potential as he aimed to avoid any mistakes that could jeopardise his recovery.
In his comments, Hadjar acknowledged that he felt Verstappen had outperformed him throughout the weekend. He noted that his absence from the previous races hindered his ability to compete for a front-row position. Hadjar reported that his wrist was coping well, and he completed extensive simulator laps to prepare for the race, indicating his confidence in fighting for a strong position if he starts from fourth.
via RacingNews365Christian Horner drops 'nightmare' claim about Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen signingChristian Horner has made claims in his new book that Helmut Marko was initially hesitant to bring Max Verstappen into the Red Bull team, citing concerns about Verstappen's father, Jos. Horner describes Marko as a difficult character, labelling him as abrasive and disloyal, and expressed disappointment over Marko's cold treatment of him following his dismissal from Red Bull.
Horner reflects on his relationship with Marko, noting that while Marko had once given him his start at Red Bull, their dynamic changed, particularly after the death of team founder Dietrich Mateschitz. Despite Marko's early scepticism, Verstappen went on to achieve significant success, becoming a four-time world champion.
Sat 26 Sep · 06:15 UTC
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc pins hopes on crucial Ferrari trait to challenge in BakuCharles Leclerc is optimistic about Ferrari's race pace as he prepares for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, having secured a surprising second place on the grid despite the team's struggles in free practice. He noted that while the car felt better during qualifying, the significant gap to George Russell remains a concern, particularly regarding straight-line speed and tyre management.
Leclerc highlighted the unpredictability of the car this weekend, which has hindered his ability to take risks on the tight Baku circuit. He remains hopeful that the SF-26 will show its strengths during the race, as it often performs better than in qualifying. Leclerc is determined to give his best effort to challenge for victory against Russell.
Sat 26 Sep · 05:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen expects grid penalty after Baku issuesMax Verstappen has confirmed that he will likely face a grid penalty later this season due to an issue with his power unit during qualifying in Baku. The Red Bull driver stated that while he can replace the damaged engine without an immediate penalty, a grid drop is inevitable.+ 4 moreSat 26 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri: I need a tow bar to hook onto Mercedes to fight for Baku winOscar Piastri qualified third for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but he expressed doubts about his ability to compete with George Russell of Mercedes, who was significantly faster. Piastri's qualifying time was just 0.001 seconds behind Charles Leclerc, but he lagged 0.838 seconds behind Russell, prompting him to jokingly suggest he needed a tow bar to keep up.
Despite a challenging weekend for McLaren, including a brake issue that required unconventional fixes, Piastri was pleased with his qualifying result. He acknowledged that while Mercedes appeared to have a clear advantage, he believed McLaren could still contend with the other teams in the race, especially with Lando Norris starting fifth.Fri 25 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comIsack Hadjar praises Red Bull's progress in BakuIsack Hadjar has expressed satisfaction with the performance of Red Bull's RB22 during his return at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. After missing three races due to a wrist injury, Hadjar noted that the car feels better than when he last drove it.
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton and Ferrari in turmoil after Mercedes humiliation at Azerbaijan Grand PrixLewis Hamilton expressed confusion over Ferrari's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he qualified and finished in sixth place. Despite Charles Leclerc's strong qualifying position, both drivers faced challenges with race pace, leading Hamilton to question Ferrari's current standing among the teams.
Hamilton highlighted his difficulties with tyre management throughout the weekend, stating that he struggled to get the tyres to switch on effectively. He acknowledged improvements in practice but noted that the issues persisted during the race, impacting their overall competitiveness.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 18:58 UTC
via racer.comPiastri, Stella see signs of evolution in McLaren Baku turnaroundOscar Piastri achieved a commendable third-place qualifying position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, showcasing his growing familiarity with the 2026 McLaren car. Despite a challenging practice session and engine issues for teammate Lando Norris, Piastri's performance marked a significant turnaround for the team, coming close to outqualifying Charles Leclerc.
Andrea Stella, McLaren's principal, highlighted Piastri's ability to adapt his driving style, which contributed to his success. However, he acknowledged ongoing struggles with straight-line speed compared to the Mercedes team, indicating that improvements are needed in the car's overall performance and aerodynamics.
via racer.com'Shocked' Russell credits thumping pole to growing confidenceGeorge Russell expressed surprise at his commanding pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, attributing his success to growing confidence in his Mercedes car. He dominated qualifying with a margin of 0.837 seconds, the largest of the season, and topped two of the three practice sessions leading up to the event.
Despite acknowledging the impact of teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli's crash in Q1, Russell has shown impressive form since the midseason break, consistently qualifying at the front. Mercedes deputy principal Bradley Lord praised Russell's performance, noting his composed approach throughout the weekend. Russell himself feels a surge of confidence, which he believes is crucial for maintaining performance on the track.
via RacingNews365The 10 biggest F1 pole margins across the last decadeGeorge Russell achieved a remarkable pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing 0.837 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc. This performance places him fourth in the list of the biggest pole margins in Formula 1 over the last decade, a notable feat given the typically close competition on street circuits.
The top three biggest pole margins are held by Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, with Verstappen's 1.244 seconds at the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix being the largest. Hamilton's performances at the Styrian and Italian Grands Prix in 2020 and 2017, respectively, also feature prominently in this list, showcasing the dominance of these drivers in qualifying sessions.Fri 25 Sep · 17:30 UTC
via gpfans.comKimi Antonelli faces pressure ahead of Azerbaijan GPKimi Antonelli, the current leader in the Formula 1 standings, is under scrutiny as he approaches the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Concerns have been raised about the potential for a repeat of last year's situation, where Oscar Piastri, the previous points leader, faced difficulties.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:57 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton 'pain in the ass' as George Russell sets three-year highGeorge Russell achieved a stunning pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, taking advantage of a significant mistake by Kimi Antonelli, who crashed at the first corner during Q1. This pole position marks the largest margin since Max Verstappen's performance at the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix, showcasing Russell's impressive speed and skill.
Both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were left frustrated after the qualifying session. Verstappen faced engine problems, while Hamilton struggled with tyre issues, which contributed to their disappointing results. Antonelli's crash not only affected his own qualifying but also opened the door for Russell's remarkable performance.Fri 25 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via Formula1.comOscar Piastri surprised by Baku qualifying paceOscar Piastri expressed his surprise at McLaren's performance during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he secured a spot on the second row. The Australian driver noted that the team's pace had improved significantly compared to their earlier practice sessions.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:20 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris calls for McLaren investigation after BakuLando Norris has requested McLaren to investigate a technical issue that affected his car's top speed during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris qualified in fifth place, expressing frustration over the ongoing problem.+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:10 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFive things learned from Baku qualifying as George Russell dominates for pole positionGeorge Russell dominated the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, achieving pole position with a significant margin over his competitors. He finished 0.837 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, while Oscar Piastri secured third place, indicating a resurgence for McLaren. Kimi Antonelli faced difficulties, crashing in Q1 and starting from P16, while Carlos Sainz managed to qualify ninth thanks to recent upgrades for Williams.
The session also saw Max Verstappen struggling to maintain his earlier pace, ultimately qualifying eighth. Isaac Hadjar impressed by finishing fourth, while Lando Norris showed potential but lost time in Q3. Russell's performance sets him up as a strong contender for victory in the race, especially with his main championship rivals starting further back.Fri 25 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via F1iVerstappen calls Baku qualifying a disasterMax Verstappen expressed frustration over his qualifying performance in Baku, citing multiple errors that hindered his chances of starting alongside George Russell on the front row. The Red Bull Racing driver described the session as a 'disaster' following a dramatic finish.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:42 UTC
via AutosportMax Verstappen forced into engine change in BakuMax Verstappen has had to make a late engine change for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The Red Bull driver experienced an engine problem that disrupted his plans after a strong performance in final practice.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:38 UTC
via RacingNews365Sergio Perez receives grid penalty for Azerbaijan Grand PrixSergio Perez has been given a grid penalty for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following an incident during qualifying where he impeded Oscar Piastri. The decision was made after an investigation by the stewards.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:29 UTCPage 2 of 46
