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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.
Mon 28 Sep · 13:02 UTC
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.
Mon 28 Sep · 11:00 UTC
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.
Mon 28 Sep · 08:40 UTC
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.
Mon 28 Sep · 07:42 UTC
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.Mon 28 Sep · 07:00 UTC
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.Mon 28 Sep · 03:00 UTC
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.
Sun 27 Sep · 18:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Christian Horner comments spark Ferrari's Fred Vasseur responseChristian Horner suggested he would consider a 'dream' role with Ferrari, prompting a reaction from Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur. Vasseur expressed frustration over Horner's comments amid ongoing challenges for the Scuderia.Sun 27 Sep · 16:45 UTC
via the-race.comF1's penalty points system has a big blindspotFranco Colapinto's recent crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has highlighted significant flaws in Formula 1's penalty points system. After losing control of his Alpine and colliding with team-mate Pierre Gasly, which also took out Lando Norris, Colapinto received a 10-second penalty that he could not serve due to his retirement from the race. Instead, he will face a five-place grid penalty at the next race in Malaysia, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from fellow drivers regarding its fairness and severity.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion among drivers about the effectiveness of the penalty points system, which was designed to deter repeat offenders. Currently, no penalty points have been issued for collisions this season, raising concerns that the system is not adequately addressing dangerous driving. Many believe that the absence of penalty points for such incidents represents a significant oversight, as it sets a concerning precedent for future races.
Sun 27 Sep · 15:01 UTC
via PlanetF1Lando Norris ‘race ban’ theory under Verstappen, Hadjar and Russell scrutinyLando Norris has called for a race ban for Franco Colapinto following a multi-car collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which resulted in Norris retiring from the race. Norris believes that Colapinto's actions were careless and deserving of a ban, stating that such incidents cost teams significant amounts of money.
However, his request has faced criticism from fellow drivers George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Isack Hadjar, who feel that a race ban is too severe for what they consider a small mistake. Colapinto received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision, which has been converted into a five-place grid drop for his next race.Sun 27 Sep · 13:04 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya tells Kimi Antonelli to 'stop thinking' after spotting a problem in BakuKimi Antonelli made an impressive recovery in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing fifth after starting from sixteenth. However, his performance raised concerns from Juan Pablo Montoya, who noted that Antonelli seemed to be driving conservatively, potentially due to the pressure of maintaining his championship lead.
Montoya highlighted that Antonelli was slower than usual, suggesting he was overly cautious and not pushing himself to the limit. Antonelli acknowledged his reserved driving style, stating he was in 'let’s save the car' mode and lacked the confidence he had shown in previous races.
Sun 27 Sep · 13:00 UTC
via espn.comNorris targeted with online abuse, called for banLando Norris has been targeted with significant online abuse after he urged Formula 1 to impose a ban on Franco Colapinto, following a collision that led to a three-car pile-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident forced Norris to retire from the race, prompting backlash from Colapinto's supporters on social media.
In response to the abuse, Colapinto's team, Alpine, issued a statement condemning the hate directed not only at Norris but also at other members of the Formula 1 community. They emphasised the need to address online abuse and promote healthy competition within the sport. Following the race, Norris's championship hopes appear diminished as he trails Kimi Antonelli by 116 points, while George Russell's victory has positioned him as Antonelli's primary title challenger.
Sun 27 Sep · 12:20 UTC
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.Sun 27 Sep · 12:04 UTC
via RacingNews365Alpine condemns online abuse after Norris and ColapintoAlpine has issued a statement condemning online abuse directed at Lando Norris and their driver Franco Colapinto following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This marks another instance of the team speaking out against the negative behaviour of fans after Colapinto's involvement in a multi-car incident.+ 6 moreSun 27 Sep · 11:49 UTC.webp)
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell and Franco Colapinto shine in BakuGeorge Russell and Franco Colapinto were highlighted as key performers at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, each achieving notable results for their respective teams. Meanwhile, Alpine faced significant challenges during the race, marking a disappointing weekend for the team.+ 2 moreSun 27 Sep · 10:13 UTC
via gpfans.comAndrea Stella acknowledges McLaren's Azerbaijan errorsAndrea Stella stated that McLaren must learn from their mistakes following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced challenges, with Stella admitting the team played a role in Piastri's lock-up during the race.
+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 09:57 UTC
via the-race.comGary Anderson: Alpine should handle Colapinto action, not the FIAGary Anderson argues that Alpine should take responsibility for Franco Colapinto's actions following his crash involving team-mate Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Flavio Briatore, Alpine's team boss, has stated he will consider what course of action to take regarding Colapinto, who already faces a five-place grid penalty for the incident.
Anderson reflects on the importance of teams maintaining discipline among drivers and suggests that the responsibility for reprimands should lie with the team rather than the FIA. He also critiques Norris's demand for a race ban for Colapinto, noting that such incidents are common in racing and should be addressed internally by the team.Sun 27 Sep · 09:32 UTC
via CrashCould Alpine bench Franco Colapinto for Malaysia and who could replace him?Alpine is contemplating disciplinary action against Franco Colapinto following a significant crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he took out both his teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris. Flavio Briatore, Alpine's chief, expressed his disappointment and indicated that the team would reflect on the situation to determine appropriate measures, which could range from a warning to benching Colapinto for the upcoming race in Malaysia.
If Alpine decides to replace Colapinto, their options are limited to reserve drivers Paul Aron and Kush Maini, with Aron likely being the preferred choice due to his experience in Formula 1 practice sessions. Other potential candidates include Daniil Kvyat and Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti, but there are concerns about their performance compared to Colapinto, who has contributed significantly to the team's points this season.
Sun 27 Sep · 08:53 UTC
via PlanetF12026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix driver ratings releasedThe driver ratings for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix have been published, highlighting George Russell's near-perfect performance. Franco Colapinto received criticism for what was described as the ultimate motorsport sin during the race.+ 2 moreSun 27 Sep · 08:08 UTC
via Motorsport.comMercedes did not expect Monza repeat from AntonelliMercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord stated that Kimi Antonelli was never expected to replicate his previous performance from Monza during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell secured victory at the Baku City Circuit, converting his pole position into a win for Mercedes.
+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 06:55 UTCPage 1 of 44