Lance StrollLando NorrisOscar PiastriSergio Pérez 
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 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
via F1iPiastri ‘surprised’ by Baku P3 qualifying paceOscar Piastri qualified third for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, surprising himself with the pace after a subdued practice session for McLaren. Piastri briefly held second place during qualifying, while Lando Norris finished fifth after a costly lock-up on his final attempt. George Russell took pole position, with Charles Leclerc just ahead of Piastri by a narrow margin.
Piastri remarked on McLaren's tendency to find extra performance during qualifying, contrasting with their practice struggles. Norris, while pleased with his driving, pointed out underlying car issues that limited his performance. Both drivers are now looking to convert their qualifying positions into a strong race performance, despite uncertainties about their race pace.F1iFri 25 Sep · 17:02 UTC
via Motorsport WeekOscar Piastri makes McLaren ‘no hope’ concession after Mercedes F1 trouncingOscar Piastri admitted that McLaren had no chance of beating George Russell for pole position during the qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Piastri will start the race in third place, behind Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, while his teammate Lando Norris qualified fifth. This marks the sixth time this season that Piastri has out-qualified Norris.
Despite a challenging start to the weekend, McLaren discovered additional pace during qualifying. Piastri expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, noting the difficulties posed by windy conditions on the track. He highlighted the unpredictability of the car's balance due to gusts, which made qualifying particularly challenging.
Motorsport WeekFri 25 Sep · 14:38 UTC
via PlanetF1Verstappen fastest in Baku as tow drops quali clue and Stroll crashesMax Verstappen topped the timesheets in the third practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a lap of 1:43.922 to outpace George Russell by a narrow margin. Lewis Hamilton also showed competitive pace, finishing third, just 0.111 seconds off Verstappen's best time. The session saw a slow start, with only a handful of drivers setting times early on, but it picked up as the drivers switched to soft tyres for qualifying simulations.
Lance Stroll's session ended prematurely after he crashed into the wall, adding to Aston Martin's woes as they already face significant grid penalties. Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz faced their own challenges, with Antonelli reporting handling issues and Sainz being noted for investigation by the stewards. Overall, the session was marked by close competition among the top teams as they prepared for qualifying.PlanetF1Fri 25 Sep · 09:39 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAlex Brundle disagrees with Oscar Piastri about his ‘main issue’ amid drubbing by Lando NorrisOscar Piastri is facing challenges in the 2026 season, particularly in his performance compared to teammate Lando Norris. Despite Piastri's belief that race pace is his main issue, Alex Brundle argues that his qualifying struggles are the root cause of his difficulties, as he consistently starts behind Norris.
Brundle highlighted that Piastri's qualifying record, with Norris leading 9-1, significantly hampers his chances on race day. As they head into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, qualifying will be critical for Piastri to close the gap and improve his standing against Norris.f1oversteer.comThu 24 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via Sky Sports F1'Pretty pants!' - Norris rules McLaren out of Baku pole fightLando Norris expressed disappointment with McLaren's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice sessions, stating they were significantly off the pace, specifically 1.5 seconds slower than Mercedes' George Russell. Despite bringing a major upgrade package to Baku, Norris felt the new parts did not yield immediate improvements, and he ruled out a contention for pole position.
George Russell, who topped both practice sessions, expects the gaps to tighten in qualifying. Kimi Antonelli faced issues with a hydraulics leak but managed to recover well in the second session. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton noted Ferrari's struggles with tyre performance and straight-line speed, indicating a challenging day for the team.
Sky Sports F1Thu 24 Sep · 15:47 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris suffering 'knife in the heart' over McLaren Baku realityLando Norris expressed disappointment over McLaren's performance during Free Practice 2 at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing sixth but significantly slower than George Russell. He described the experience as feeling like 'a little knife in the heart,' highlighting the struggles of the MCL40 despite recent upgrades.
Norris acknowledged that the Baku circuit's layout, with its slow-speed corners and long straight, revealed the car's weaknesses. He noted a challenging start to the day after losing time in FP1 but remained optimistic about the team's ability to analyse data and improve for the upcoming sessions.
RacingNews365Thu 24 Sep · 15:45 UTC
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell leads Kimi Antonelli in FP2 in BakuGeorge Russell of Mercedes topped the second practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Russell's performance in Baku showcased his team's strong form ahead of the race weekend.
Formula1.com+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 11:49 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAudi inspired McLaren for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s ‘dramatically revised’ Baku upgradeMcLaren is set to introduce a new sidepod upgrade for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, drawing inspiration from Audi's design. The team has focused on enhancing the MCL40's performance, particularly for low-downforce circuits like Baku, where they aim to improve top speed and aerodynamic efficiency.
The upgrades include a significant redesign of the sidepods and inlets, moving towards a more aggressive aerodynamic philosophy. McLaren has incorporated elements from rival teams, including Mercedes and Ferrari, to create a steeper slope for the sidepods and a larger inlet opening. These changes are expected to modify airflow and enhance downforce in medium-speed corners, while also reducing drag on the straights.f1oversteer.comThu 24 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris highlights major F1 driver issue: 'It's not what we're seeing this year'Lando Norris has spoken out regarding the upcoming changes to Formula 1 regulations set for the 2027 season, which will reduce race distances from 305 kilometres to 290 kilometres. This adjustment is a response to modifications in power units that are expected to increase engine output, allowing for a more traditional racing experience that relies less on battery management.
Norris expressed that many drivers have voiced concerns about the current power units, which they feel undermine their driving skills. He views the new regulations as a necessary compromise to improve the sport, allowing drivers to focus more on their performance rather than battery conservation. Looking ahead, Norris is optimistic that F1 will eventually revert to longer race distances as engine manufacturers adapt.RacingNews365Thu 24 Sep · 04:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri experiments emerge in search for McLaren MCL40 breakthroughOscar Piastri is actively experimenting with the McLaren MCL40 in search of a breakthrough during the 2026 Formula 1 season. He has acknowledged the team's increased engineering support as they work to improve his performance, which has been challenging under the new regulations.
Despite struggling compared to his teammate Lando Norris, who has achieved two race wins, Piastri remains optimistic about making progress. He has noted that while the path to improvement is not straightforward, he feels supported by McLaren's efforts and is committed to finding effective solutions to enhance his performance on the track.PlanetF1Wed 23 Sep · 18:47 UTC
via gpfans.comHow F1 drivers' WhatsApp group reacted to Monaco sprint announcementSergio Perez revealed that he found out about the 2027 Monaco Grand Prix sprint race through a busy WhatsApp group chat among drivers. The announcement raised eyebrows due to Monaco's reputation as a challenging track for overtaking, leading to discussions about the potential impact of the sprint race format on the weekend's dynamics.
Oscar Piastri and George Russell also shared their thoughts during a press conference, with Piastri expressing initial surprise but understanding the reasoning behind two qualifying sessions. Russell supported the decision, stating that the introduction of sprint races adds excitement to the overall weekend experience, even if the actual race may not be the most thrilling.gpfans.comWed 23 Sep · 16:28 UTC
via Motorsport.comJolyon Palmer suggests Oscar Piastri needs F1 reset in blunt Lando Norris comparisonJolyon Palmer has suggested that Oscar Piastri may need a winter reset following a challenging 2026 season with McLaren. Piastri's recent performance has been inconsistent, particularly in comparison to his teammate Lando Norris, who has been performing strongly, including securing pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix. Piastri currently sits seventh in the drivers' standings with 120 points, while Norris is fourth with 186 points.
Palmer pointed out that Piastri had a promising half-season in 2025 but has struggled to maintain that form in 2026. He noted that Piastri has been unable to match Norris's consistency and suggested that a reset could help Piastri regain his competitive edge. Palmer also referenced Piastri's previous success in lower racing categories, indicating that he has the potential to perform at a higher level.Motorsport.comWed 23 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOscar Piastri and George Russell agree on the issue with modern F1 amid difficult 2026 seasonsOscar Piastri and George Russell have expressed their shared concerns regarding the challenges posed by modern Formula 1, particularly during the 2026 season. Despite a significant points gap, both drivers are facing difficulties adapting to new technical regulations, which they attribute largely to limited testing opportunities compared to other sports.
In a recent press conference ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Russell highlighted the need for more practice time, while Piastri acknowledged the complexities of finding quick solutions to their issues. Both drivers remain optimistic about making progress, emphasizing their confidence in their skills and the support from their teams as they navigate these challenges.f1oversteer.comWed 23 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via Formula1.comNorris reflects on upturn in form ahead of Azerbaijan GPLando Norris has expressed confidence in his recent performance, noting improvements compared to last year as he prepares for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite winning two of the last four races, he acknowledges that this weekend's circuit may not favour McLaren's strengths, particularly due to its lack of high-speed corners.
Norris has dismissed the idea of contending for the drivers' title this season, given his significant points deficit. He emphasises the team's ongoing efforts to extract maximum performance from their car, while also highlighting the challenges posed by the Baku track, which he feels may resemble the difficulties faced at Monaco last year.Formula1.comWed 23 Sep · 15:55 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris benefits from McLaren Hypercar testLando Norris believes that his recent test drive of McLaren's new Hypercar will enhance his performance in Formula 1. The reigning world champion drove the MCL-HY at the Algarve International Circuit, gaining valuable experience that he feels will translate to his F1 skills.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreWed 23 Sep · 13:54 UTC
via Formula1.comPiastri insists he’s ‘making progress’ despite setbacksOscar Piastri has expressed optimism about his progress with McLaren despite facing challenges in the 2026 season. He acknowledged the team's support and their ongoing efforts to improve performance, stating that they are not standing still in their development. Piastri noted that while he has struggled to match his teammate Lando Norris, who has had recent success, he feels they are exploring different solutions to enhance his performance.
Piastri highlighted the difficulties posed by the new generation of cars, which do not align with his previous racing style. He emphasized the need for constant adaptation and the importance of having a well-thought-out approach to improvements. As he prepares for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Piastri reflected on his mixed experiences at the track, hoping for a better outcome this year compared to the previous season.Formula1.comWed 23 Sep · 13:31 UTC