Karun ChandhokLando NorrisLiam LawsonOscar Piastri 
via the-race.comAntonelli passed a key test Piastri had failedKimi Antonelli demonstrated resilience during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing fifth despite a challenging weekend that he labelled as his worst of the season. With an 81-point lead in the championship, Antonelli managed to navigate the race carefully after sustaining damage, showcasing a strategic approach that avoided the pitfalls faced by Oscar Piastri in the previous year's event, where Piastri's campaign began to unravel due to multiple errors.
Antonelli's ability to adapt his driving style and mindset during the race was crucial, as he opted for a conservative strategy rather than risking a crash. This decision allowed him to minimize the points lost to rival George Russell, ultimately preserving his championship lead. Looking ahead, Antonelli expressed confidence in returning to form for the upcoming race in Malaysia, indicating his determination to re-establish his competitive edge.
the-race.comSun 27 Sep · 12:04 UTC
via CrashAlpine issues statement as Lando Norris targeted by online abuse after Franco Colapinto remarksAlpine has publicly condemned the online abuse directed at Lando Norris following his call for Franco Colapinto to be banned from Formula 1. This came after Colapinto caused a significant crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which eliminated both Norris and his teammate Pierre Gasly from the race.
The team emphasised the need to address the issue of online hate, stating that such behaviour is unacceptable regardless of the circumstances. Colapinto has acknowledged his mistake and will face a five-place grid penalty in the next race, while Alpine continues to advocate for a healthier sporting environment.
CrashSun 27 Sep · 11:47 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris is already in disbelief over what he's heard about Mercedes' 'big upgrade' for SepangLando Norris has voiced skepticism regarding claims from Mercedes about a significant upgrade expected for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix. According to reports, some sources within Mercedes suggest that the upgrade could provide a half-second improvement in lap time, a notion Norris dismissed as unrealistic, stating that typical upgrades yield only two-tenths of a second.
The discussion arose after George Russell's recent pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he won by a narrow margin of 0.196 seconds. This upcoming upgrade will be only the second major enhancement for the Mercedes W17 this season, following an earlier update introduced at the Canadian Grand Prix.
f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 06:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar earns "team-mate points" after "exceptional comeback" in Baku, says Alex BrundleIsack Hadjar received acclaim for his impressive comeback drive, finishing third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after recovering from a wrist injury. His performance was highlighted by F1 TV pundit Alex Brundle, who noted Hadjar's ability to follow team orders and maintain pace, contributing to a strong result for Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen.
Brundle and 1996 champion Damon Hill both commended Hadjar's resilience and the team's overall strength. With Hadjar and Verstappen now positioned sixth and eighth in the drivers' championship, Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors' standings, bolstered by points scored by Liam Lawson during Hadjar's absence.
Motorsport.comSat 26 Sep · 21:35 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson reflects on tough Azerbaijan Grand PrixLiam Lawson expressed disappointment after being taken out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix by his Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad. Despite the setback, Lawson remains focused on the team's goals moving forward.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Russell survives Verstappen charge as Colapinto causes crash chaosGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by 0.196 seconds. This win places Russell 66 points behind Kimi Antonelli, who made a remarkable recovery from 16th on the grid to finish fifth.
The race was relatively calm until an incident involving Alex Albon brought out the safety car. The restart led to chaos as Franco Colapinto collided with Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris, prompting Norris to call for a race ban for Colapinto.
RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 19:42 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar team orders at Azerbaijan GP show Liam Lawson was right all along about Red BullAt the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first double podium in two and a half years. Hadjar demonstrated his commitment to team orders by allowing Verstappen to pass him early in the race, despite having a slight pace advantage. However, when Verstappen struggled to overtake Oscar Piastri, Hadjar's willingness to follow orders was put to the test as he later requested to race against his teammate.
The race highlighted the dynamics within Red Bull, where Verstappen's dominance often limits his teammates' opportunities to compete on equal terms. Hadjar's performance and subsequent contract renewal suggest he is prepared to embrace a supportive role in exchange for driving a competitive car. This situation echoes Liam Lawson's earlier comments about the challenges faced by Verstappen's teammates, who must adapt to the team's structure that prioritises Verstappen's success.f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson baffled after being 'smoked' by Arvid LindbladLiam Lawson expressed confusion after being involved in a collision with his Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The crash occurred during a restart on lap 36, following a separate incident that involved multiple drivers, including Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly. Lawson reported that he was hit hard from the left, resulting in significant damage to his car and forcing him to retire from the race.
In interviews, Lawson described the incident, noting that he was trying to give space to Esteban Ocon when Lindblad made contact. Despite Lindblad's apology and explanation that he locked up and had nowhere to go, Lawson remained perplexed about the situation. The stewards reviewed the incident and concluded that it was a typical first-corner incident with no driver predominantly at fault.RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via the-race.comShock inaction over Baku's other F1 team-mate clash explainedDuring the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a collision between Racing Bulls team-mates Liam Lawson and Oliver Lindblad resulted in significant damage to Lawson's car. Despite the incident being investigated, the stewards decided no further action was necessary, attributing the collision to a chain reaction from a separate incident involving Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Lando Norris.
Lindblad acknowledged the chaotic nature of the race restart and apologised for the clash, while Lawson expressed his confusion over the ruling. The stewards' decision has raised questions about the criteria used for penalising team-mate collisions, as Lawson indicated he would not protest against Lindblad.the-race.comSat 26 Sep · 16:06 UTC
via theguardian.comNorris says some drivers ‘shouldn’t be in F1’ after Colapinto shunt dents title hopesLando Norris expressed his frustration after being taken out of the race by Franco Colapinto during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris, who was running in eighth place, stated that Colapinto does not deserve to be in Formula One and called for a race ban for the Alpine driver due to his reckless driving that caused the incident.
Colapinto's actions not only affected Norris's title hopes but also resulted in a costly crash for his own team, Alpine. The stewards imposed a 10-second penalty on Colapinto, but since he had already retired, he will face a grid drop in the next race. Norris remains mathematically in contention for the championship, but with eight races left, his chances appear slim.
theguardian.comSat 26 Sep · 16:04 UTC
via espn.comNorris hits out after Baku pile-up DNF with AlpineLando Norris expressed his frustration after being taken out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to a collision caused by Franco Colapinto. Following the incident, Norris stated that there are drivers who do not belong in Formula 1, implying that Colapinto's actions were unacceptable. The crash occurred during a Safety Car restart on lap 36, leading to both Norris and Pierre Gasly retiring from the race.
Colapinto acknowledged his mistake and accepted responsibility, apologising to his team and teammates. He received a 10-second time penalty, which will affect his grid position in the next race. Gasly, visibly upset, highlighted the significant points lost due to the incident, while also emphasising the importance of respect in their working relationship.
espn.comSat 26 Sep · 15:51 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJacques Villeneuve criticises Oscar Piastri's errorJacques Villeneuve has labelled Oscar Piastri's double lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'rookie mistake'. The incident caused Piastri to drop to the back of the field in Baku.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 14:14 UTC
via RaceFansColapinto handed 10-second penalty for crash which took out team mate and Norris | Formula 1Franco Colapinto was handed a 10-second penalty by the stewards following a crash during the Safety Car restart at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident involved Colapinto colliding with his team mate Pierre Gasly, who then hit McLaren's Lando Norris, resulting in the elimination of three drivers from the race.
As Colapinto did not finish the race, the stewards have the option to convert his penalty into a grid drop for the next event. According to the FIA's 2026 penalty guidelines, a 10-second penalty is the baseline for causing a collision, although there are provisions for mitigating circumstances that could lessen the penalty.
RaceFansSat 26 Sep · 13:03 UTC
via F1iNorris ready to risk it all in desperate title pursuitLando Norris is approaching the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a bold mindset, acknowledging the need to take risks in his pursuit of the championship. With a significant gap of 106 points to Kimi Antonelli, Norris understands that a conservative approach will not suffice. His recent qualifying performance, where he locked up and ended up fifth, reflects his all-or-nothing mentality as he aims to maximize every opportunity.
Despite the pressure of being the reigning world champion, Norris feels a newfound confidence that stems from his previous successes. He no longer doubts his ability to win races and championships, which has shifted his approach to racing. As he prepares for the race, he is determined to attack rather than manage his position, even if it means risking further mistakes on the challenging Baku circuit.
F1iSat 26 Sep · 09:56 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri admits what McLaren did to his car in Baku is ‘never a great sign’Oscar Piastri achieved his best qualifying result of the 2026 season by securing P3 for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite facing challenges throughout the weekend. He noted that McLaren had to use cable ties to hold his car together after experiencing issues with loose bargeboards, which he described as 'never a great sign.'
Piastri's performance improved significantly during qualifying after the team removed fuel from his car, allowing him to feel the full benefit of recent upgrades. However, reliability problems plagued McLaren during practice sessions, affecting both Piastri and teammate Lando Norris. Piastri aims to maintain his podium position in the race, although he acknowledges that George Russell and Mercedes are likely to be strong competitors.f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via RaceFansOn This Day: Hamilton scores 100th F1 win as Norris throws away his first | BriefOn 26 September 2021, Lewis Hamilton achieved his 100th Formula 1 victory, capitalising on Lando Norris's decision to remain on slick tyres during a rain shower. This strategic error allowed Hamilton to take the lead and secure the win, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Norris's misjudgment cost him his first grand prix win, while Max Verstappen, who had incurred a power unit change penalty, managed to race from 20th to finish in second place. Hamilton's victory also enabled him to reclaim the lead in the championship standings, intensifying the competition for the title.RaceFansFri 25 Sep · 23:01 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.Motorsport.comFri 25 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comLando Norris Says Watching McLaren’s 1.5 Second Baku Deficit Felt Like a Knife in the HeartLando Norris expressed disappointment after McLaren finished 1.5 seconds behind the fastest time set by George Russell during the opening practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team encountered issues with the floorboard of their upgraded MCL40, which required a temporary fix using cable ties, leading to lost track time for both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Despite the challenges, McLaren's Chief Technical Officer Rob Marshall indicated that the new components installed on the car showed potential, although they still need to be optimised. Norris highlighted the need for improved pace, stating that comfort in the car means little without competitive lap times, as the team prepares for the next practice session.
f1chronicle.comFri 25 Sep · 21:04 UTC
via gpfans.comFIA announce penalty for F1 star after ignoring McLaren warningThe FIA has imposed a three-place grid penalty on Sergio Perez for impeding Oscar Piastri during the qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Perez was warned twice about Piastri's approach but failed to manage his preparation lap properly, resulting in Piastri having to lift off the throttle. Although Piastri stated he did not lose significant lap time, the stewards deemed Perez's actions worthy of punishment.
Despite the penalty, Perez will maintain his starting position of P20 due to other drivers, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, receiving larger grid penalties. In total, four drivers have been penalised this weekend, including Carlos Sainz, who was punished for not slowing for yellow flags during qualifying.
gpfans.comFri 25 Sep · 20:26 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar has just shown exactly why Red Bull chose him over Liam Lawson for 2027Isack Hadjar's qualifying performance at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix demonstrated why Red Bull chose him over Liam Lawson for the 2027 season. He secured a P4 starting position, showcasing his skills after an eight-week hiatus due to a wrist injury, while teammate Max Verstappen faced difficulties, qualifying P8.
George Russell claimed pole position, significantly outpacing Charles Leclerc in P2. Hadjar's strong return to form is crucial as he aims to maintain his championship standing, currently sitting in P8, with Lawson closely trailing him by 12 points.f1oversteer.comFri 25 Sep · 20:00 UTCvia RacingNews365Liam Lawson pins Baku struggles on 'frustrating' area: 'We’re a lot worse now'Liam Lawson expressed frustration over his qualifying performance for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he will start from 12th position. He attributed his struggles to the Racing Bulls' lack of straight-line speed, which hindered his ability to compete for a top 10 spot alongside teammate Arvid Lindblad.
Despite the disappointing qualifying result, Lawson remains optimistic about the race, stating that he would love to score points. He acknowledged that while the team has made progress with the car, they are currently at a disadvantage compared to other teams with more powerful engines, particularly on tracks with long straights.RacingNews365Fri 25 Sep · 18:15 UTC
via PlanetF1Lawson reveals drivers ‘respected’ rules after ‘dangerous’ Hamilton near-missLiam Lawson reported that Formula 1 drivers adhered to the rules during qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, following a dangerous near-miss with Lewis Hamilton in practice. Lawson, who qualified 12th, had a close encounter with Hamilton, who was on an out-lap, while Lawson was attempting a flying lap. The incident prompted discussions among drivers and a warning from F1 race director Rui Marques about managing traffic gaps on the track.
During a driver briefing, Lawson noted that everyone understood the necessary gaps to avoid similar incidents, and he felt that the drivers respected these guidelines during qualifying. Despite his P12 finish, Lawson expressed frustration with the car's performance, particularly on straights, and acknowledged the challenges faced compared to other teams. Meanwhile, George Russell achieved pole position with a significant margin.
PlanetF1Fri 25 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Lando Norris adopts 'pole or die trying' mindsetLando Norris expressed his determination to secure pole position during a challenging qualifying session in Azerbaijan. The McLaren driver admitted he is in a 'pole or die trying' situation as the season progresses.PlanetF1+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 17:21 UTC
via CrashThe eerie Baku similarity F1's runaway leader is in danger of repeating at Azerbaijan GPKimi Antonelli's crash during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has drawn parallels to Oscar Piastri's disastrous weekend last year. Antonelli, who had a significant lead in the championship, hit the wall in Q1 and will start from 16th, while Piastri had a similar fate that cost him the title in 2025.
Despite the setback, Antonelli's team-mate George Russell, who secured pole position, sees this as an opportunity to close the gap in the championship. Antonelli must now focus on avoiding further mistakes to maintain his lead, as he has been largely flawless this season until this incident.CrashFri 25 Sep · 17:20 UTC