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via F1iMontoya defends Colapinto: ‘I admire people who try’Juan Pablo Montoya has come to the defence of Franco Colapinto following the Argentine's crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto collided with his teammate Pierre Gasly after locking up under braking, which also took out McLaren's Lando Norris. Despite the criticism directed at Colapinto, Montoya acknowledged the driver's aggressive approach and willingness to seize opportunities, suggesting that such instincts should not be stifled by a single mistake.
Montoya highlighted that Colapinto's error was a result of the challenging conditions during the Safety Car restart, where drivers often struggle to gauge the traffic ahead. He drew parallels between Colapinto's mindset and that of Max Verstappen, noting that while taking risks can lead to mistakes, it is also essential for achieving success in Formula 1. Colapinto's performance this season has seen him accumulate 27 points, while Gasly's standing at 41 points makes the loss of both Alpine cars particularly significant.Vasseur doubts Red Bull has stopped 2026 developmentSep.29 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur is sceptical of Red Bull’s claim that its Baku package was effectively the final major upgrade of 2026, as Formula 1 teams increasingly shift resources towards next year’s cars. Laurent Mekies said in Baku that Red Bull has moved “a very large majority” of its development resources onto 2027. “It’s most…
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen live reaction as Russell reveals Mercedes upgrade planMax Verstappen shared his thoughts on George Russell's announcement regarding Mercedes' upcoming upgrades, which are expected to debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Verstappen acknowledged that if these upgrades prove effective, it would make Red Bull's path to victory in the 2026 season even more challenging.
Russell, who recently won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, expressed excitement about the potential improvements. He mentioned that the Mercedes team has been quiet in the development race but is optimistic about the upgrades enhancing their performance. Verstappen, while confident in his team's capabilities, recognised the need for further improvements to maintain their competitive edge.
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 F1iAntonelli aims to regain lead over Russell in BahrainKimi Antonelli has stated his intention to 're-establish the order' over George Russell at the Bahrain Grand Prix following a disappointing performance in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Russell believes that Antonelli is now 'under pressure' in their ongoing title battle.
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 the-race.comPirelli aims for higher tyre degradation in 2027Pirelli is working to increase tyre degradation for the 2027 Formula 1 season, following instances where drivers could race almost flat-out for extended periods. The goal is to reduce the number of races that can be completed with a single pit stop.
via thejudge13.comPierre Gasly speaks out after social media threats target his family and girlfriendFormula 1 driver Pierre Gasly has condemned threats directed at him, his girlfriend and members of his family following the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, saying social media abuse has crossed a line that should not be ignored. Gasly addressed the issue ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, after facing a wave of ... Read more
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 RaceFansLando Norris apologises to Franco Colapinto after BakuLando Norris has apologised to Franco Colapinto for his post-race comments following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he called for Colapinto to be banned after a collision. Norris admitted it was wrong of him to make such remarks and reached out to the Alpine driver to express his regret.
via RacingNews365Ralf Schumacher praises Flavio Briatore's support for ColapintoRalf Schumacher has expressed his approval of Flavio Briatore's comments regarding Franco Colapinto's mistake during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Briatore's defence of Colapinto has drawn comparisons to Max Verstappen, highlighting the potential of the young driver.
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.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 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 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.comLando Norris surprised by Oscar Piastri's paceLando Norris stated that McLaren were 'surprised' by Oscar Piastri's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that McLaren must learn from their mistakes after a disappointing race.
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 RacingNews365Christian Horner stirs Ferrari pot as Lando Norris hits out – International Media ReactsGeorge Russell emerged victorious in a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but the aftermath was dominated by Franco Colapinto's collision and speculation surrounding Christian Horner's future. Horner indicated that Ferrari is the only team he would consider joining as an employee, which has become a distraction for Ferrari's team principal Frederic Vasseur during race weekends.
Lando Norris criticized Colapinto's actions that led to his retirement, demanding stricter penalties for such incidents. Despite Ferrari's technical shortcomings, Vasseur noted that the team still managed to outscore McLaren in the race. Other notable events included Pierre Gasly's frustration over his retirement and Oscar Piastri's dramatic fall in positions due to a lock-up.Page 2 of 45