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via RacingNews365Engine guru confirms Max Verstappen was right: 'I already had this view'Max Verstappen has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the current Formula 1 power units, arguing that they require excessive energy management, making the driving experience less authentic. His concerns have been echoed by renowned engine designer Mario Illien, who agrees that the balance between combustion and electric power is flawed, stating that the current setup diminishes the driver's role in racing.
Illien, who has extensive experience in F1 engine design, supports a shift in the power unit ratio that the FIA is considering, moving from a 52/48 split to a 58/42 ratio. However, he cautions that while this change may improve the situation, it will not fully resolve the underlying issues. Illien reminisces about the previous power unit configuration, which he believes was more effective and better received by fans.
via Motorsport.comWhy Mercedes thought Max Verstappen was "on some sort of massive bungee cord" in Azerbaijan GPDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell initially created a significant lead over Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, but the deployment of a safety car changed the race dynamics. After the safety car, Verstappen managed to close the gap and challenged Russell, leading to a nail-biting finish where only 0.196 seconds separated them at the line.
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord remarked on Verstappen's ability to catch up, likening it to being on a 'massive bungee cord'. Despite Russell's superior speed in the second sector, Verstappen's straight-line speed allowed him to stay close. The race highlighted the intense competition and strategic nuances of Formula 1, with Russell managing to maintain his lead despite the pressure.
via Formula1.comWho impressed our Power Rankings judges in Azerbaijan?George Russell had an outstanding performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clinching pole position by eight tenths of a second and converting it into a race victory despite pressure from Max Verstappen, who recovered from eighth on the grid to finish second. Isack Hadjar, returning from injury, impressed with a third-place finish, marking his first podium in Formula 1.
The race saw several notable performances, including Esteban Ocon's charge from 14th to eighth and Ollie Bearman's solid ninth-place finish for Haas. Pierre Gasly faced disappointment after being taken out by his teammate Franco Colapinto. Carlos Sainz's penalty dropped him from ninth to 14th, while Sergio Perez expressed satisfaction with his performance despite finishing 14th.
via Formula1.com'Less pressure on me than there is him' – Russell on titleGeorge Russell expressed that he feels less pressure in the ongoing Drivers' Championship compared to his teammate Kimi Antonelli. After winning the Grand Prix in Baku, Russell reduced Antonelli's lead to 66 points, having previously trailed by 81 points. Antonelli's crash during qualifying significantly impacted his performance, allowing Russell to capitalize on the situation and secure a crucial victory.
Russell reflected on his recent form, stating that he did not consider himself a contender for the title until now. He noted that despite a challenging start to the season, his performance has improved significantly. The article draws parallels to last season's championship battle, suggesting that Russell's current deficit is not insurmountable, especially if he continues to perform well.
via PlanetF1Lewis Hamilton defends George Russell after Baku restartLewis Hamilton has come to the defence of George Russell following scrutiny over his management of the chaotic restart during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident has sparked discussions among drivers and the FIA regarding the handling of such situations.
via f1technical.net"There was little opportunity to relax at any stage of the race," claims Mercedes ...George Russell secured a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, converting his pole position into a win despite facing pressure from Max Verstappen in the closing laps. The race featured two Safety Car periods that challenged Russell's lead, but he managed to hold on for the win, marking an important return to the top step of the podium for him and Mercedes.
Kimi Antonelli also had a notable performance, recovering from a difficult qualifying session that left him in P16. He climbed through the field to finish fifth, showcasing his determination and skill. Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin praised both drivers for their performances, highlighting the team's strong pace throughout the weekend and their ability to maximize opportunities during the race.
via RaceFansRed Bull denies Isack Hadjar chance to overtake VerstappenRed Bull Racing instructed Isack Hadjar not to attempt an overtake on his teammate Max Verstappen during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This communication was made through an unbroadcast message, leaving viewers unaware of the team orders in play.
via RacingNews365Franco Colapinto compared to Max Verstappen in major mistake defenceFranco Colapinto has been compared to Max Verstappen by Juan Pablo Montoya, who defended Colapinto's actions during a restart crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto was penalised for causing a multi-car collision, which included his teammate Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris, after he misjudged his braking point.
Montoya explained that Colapinto's aggressive instincts, similar to those of Verstappen, led to the incident. He acknowledged the challenges drivers face during restarts, particularly with the bunching of cars and varying braking points. Despite the crash, Montoya expressed admiration for Colapinto's willingness to seize opportunities on the track.
via gpfans.comIsack Hadjar's wrist injury update from Red BullRed Bull team principal Laurent Mekies provided an update on Isack Hadjar's wrist injury following his return to racing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Mekies confirmed that Hadjar's condition is improving after the 51-lap event.
via PlanetF1Lando Norris under fire from government official and football icon after BakuLando Norris faced criticism after being taken out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to a collision caused by Franco Colapinto. Following the incident, Norris expressed his frustration and called for stricter penalties, suggesting that Colapinto should receive at least a one-race ban for his actions, which he deemed careless and damaging.
The incident drew attention from notable figures, including Argentina's Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and football star Sergio Aguero, who both commented on Norris's stance. Colapinto was subsequently penalised with a grid drop for his role in the crash, which will affect his participation in the upcoming race in Malaysia.
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 f1technical.netBriatore: "It was a very poor move for a driver of his experience"Alpine faced a disappointing end to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as both Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto retired after a collision at the first corner following a Safety Car restart. Colapinto, who was running too fast on cold tyres, locked up and hit Gasly, leading to both drivers retiring from the race. Colapinto accepted responsibility for the incident and received a 10-second penalty, which will convert to a five-place grid drop for the next race.
Gasly expressed frustration over the lost opportunity for points, despite having a competitive performance prior to the incident. Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore also voiced his disappointment, highlighting the importance of learning from the mistake. The team now looks to regroup and carry their strong pace into the upcoming race in Sepang.
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 potential penaltyMax Verstappen has indicated that he believes a grid penalty is imminent, while Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies expressed uncertainty about the situation. This disagreement highlights differing perspectives within the team regarding the potential implications of a penalty from the FIA.
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.
via f1oversteer.comArvid Lindblad apologises to Liam Lawson after Baku clashArvid Lindblad has publicly apologised to his Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson following their collision during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Both drivers expressed confusion over the incident, with Lawson stating he does not understand Lindblad's actions during the race.
via gpfans.comWhat Marko really thought about Max Verstappen, Christian Horner's stunning revelationsChristian Horner's new memoir reveals significant tensions within Red Bull Racing, particularly regarding the signing of Max Verstappen. Horner claims that Helmut Marko was initially against bringing Verstappen into the team, despite Marko's public image as a key figure in the driver's early career. Horner recalls Marko's dismissive comments about Verstappen's father, Jos, highlighting a stark contrast to the narrative that Marko was instrumental in Verstappen's recruitment.
The memoir also discusses Horner's feelings of betrayal by Marko following his own firing in July 2025, after a long tenure at Red Bull. Horner reflects on their relationship, noting how it deteriorated after the death of team founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022, which intensified the internal power struggles within the team.
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.
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 f1oversteer.comDamon Hill fears ‘amazing’ Isack Hadjar just showed Liam Lawson up at Red BullDamon Hill expressed concerns about Liam Lawson's position at Red Bull following Isack Hadjar's impressive return to racing. Lawson's stint ended after Hadjar was cleared to race, and he finished 12th in Azerbaijan, while Hadjar secured a podium finish, raising the stakes for Lawson.
Hill highlighted the psychological pressure on Lawson, who had previously scored 14 points in three races but faced setbacks including a grid penalty. With speculation around Nikola Tsolov potentially taking Lawson's seat, the pressure on Lawson is expected to increase as he aims for better results in upcoming races.Page 1 of 63