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via Motorsport WeekIsack Hadjar returns to F1 with special helmet in BakuIsack Hadjar will make his return to the Formula 1 grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the last three races due to a wrist injury. He will wear a special helmet design that was originally intended for the Dutch Grand Prix.
+ 3 moreTue 22 Sep · 15:30 UTCvia Motorsport WeekIsack Hadjar admits relief after ‘weird feeling’ not racingIsack Hadjar expressed relief and excitement about returning to his Red Bull cockpit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the last three races due to a wrist injury. He acknowledged the challenge of watching from the sidelines as Liam Lawson filled in and achieved consistent results.
Hadjar shared that this was the first time in his life he had not been racing, which felt strange for him. He thanked his team for their patience during his recovery and emphasized his commitment to returning to form as he prepares for the demanding Baku circuit.Tue 22 Sep · 15:30 UTC
via Formula1.comWhen is the earliest Antonelli could win the title?Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the Formula 1 drivers' standings with 292 points, significantly ahead of his closest rival, George Russell, by 81 points. With nine races left in the 2026 season, including a Sprint weekend, the maximum points available is 233. Antonelli's position is strong, but eight other drivers remain mathematically in contention for the championship.
For Antonelli to win the World Championship as early as Round 17 in Singapore, he must win the upcoming Azerbaijan and Bahrain Grands Prix, as well as both the Grand Prix and Sprint in Singapore, while Russell scores no points. If this scenario does not unfold, Antonelli could still clinch the title by Round 19 in Mexico, depending on their average race finishes.
Tue 22 Sep · 15:16 UTC
via PlanetF1Who owns each Formula 1 team?The ownership structures of Formula 1 teams vary significantly, with Ferrari being owned by Ferrari S.p.A. and McLaren primarily controlled by Bahrain's Mumtalakat sovereign wealth fund. Mercedes has three equal shareholders, while Red Bull teams are fully owned by Red Bull GmbH, with the Yoovidhya family and Mark Mateschitz as key stakeholders.
Other teams like Williams were sold to private investment firms, such as Dorilton Capital, while Audi is owned by Volkswagen Group. The Alpine team is primarily owned by Renault Group, with Otro Capital holding a minority stake. Cadillac's F1 team is owned by TWG Global, with General Motors involved as a partner rather than an equity owner.
Tue 22 Sep · 15:02 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer has worked out just how many points Lewis Hamilton has lost at Ferrari this yearLewis Hamilton is currently 101 points behind Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship, with Jolyon Palmer attributing part of this deficit to Ferrari's strategic decisions. Despite outscoring teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton's hopes for an eighth World Championship in 2026 appear slim due to Ferrari's lack of pace and ineffective race strategies.
Palmer analysed Hamilton's performance and suggested that with five optimal race weekends, Hamilton could have gained an additional 39 points, reducing his gap to 62 points behind Antonelli. The ongoing tension between Hamilton and Leclerc, coupled with Vasseur's reluctance to implement team orders, complicates Ferrari's internal dynamics as they navigate their championship aspirations.
Tue 22 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via F1iCadillac prepares for challenging F1 triple-headerCadillac is set to face significant pressure as Formula 1 enters a demanding phase with two triple-headers in the 2026 season. The team acknowledges the challenges posed by the intense schedule for both personnel and performance.
+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 14:43 UTC
via RacingNews365Haas deny 'Ferrari concern' over F1 2027 driver line-upHaas F1 Team principal Ayao Komatsu has dismissed any concerns regarding the potential of fielding two Ferrari junior drivers in the 2027 season. While Oliver Bearman is likely to remain with the team, the identity of his teammate is still uncertain, with Esteban Ocon reportedly at risk of losing his seat to Rafael Camara, another Ferrari junior.
Komatsu highlighted the importance of having two competitive drivers to enhance the team's performance, stating that the team's motivation relies on having the best possible driver line-up. He expressed that the team's focus is on performance rather than the affiliations of the drivers, indicating that the priority is to select the fastest drivers available.
Tue 22 Sep · 14:35 UTC
via thejudge13.comEsteban Ocon confirms free agency ahead of 2027 seasonEsteban Ocon has stated he is a 'free agent' for the 2027 Formula 1 season, indicating he will leave Haas at the end of the current season. Haas principal Ayao Komatsu is expected to announce the team's driver line-up soon, with Formula 2 star Rafael Camara emerging as a leading candidate to replace Ocon.
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via racer.comWilliams introduces significant upgrade for BakuAlex Albon stated that Williams' upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix includes a substantial weight saving that should improve lap times. However, doubts have been raised about the effectiveness of this upgrade given the team's struggles in the 2026 season.
via f1oversteer.comLawrence Stroll must be regretting Adrian Newey's £24m salary when he sees Aston Martin corner dataAston Martin is struggling in the current Formula 1 season, sitting with only three points in the constructors' standings. Their performance issues are attributed to both engine problems with Honda and significant aerodynamic concerns, particularly in cornering speed. In the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll faced disappointing results, highlighting the team's struggles.
Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin in 2024 with a hefty £30 million salary, is under scrutiny for the team's poor cornering performance. Data analysis reveals that Alonso's qualifying time was significantly slower than the pole position, and the AMR26 chassis has been criticized for being overweight and ineffective. Despite these challenges, there is some hope for improvement with the upcoming 2027 car.Tue 22 Sep · 13:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Toto Wolff warns Mercedes of challenging times aheadToto Wolff has cautioned that despite Mercedes' strong position in the Formula 1 championships, the team faces a 'demanding period' ahead. Wolff emphasised the importance of maintaining focus and not becoming complacent as the season progresses.+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 12:45 UTC.webp)
via Formula1.comFerrari’s aerodynamic edge that Mercedes tried to emulateMercedes attempted to implement Ferrari's flick tail mode exhaust during the recent event in Madrid, but ultimately decided to revert to their previous configuration used at Monza. This change was made after a brief trial period, indicating the challenges in adapting Ferrari's innovation to their own car.
Ferrari's flick tail mode exhaust has been a part of their design since pre-season testing and is known to provide an aerodynamic advantage. By partially blocking the exhaust outlet, it enhances airflow dynamics, which helps improve the performance of the car's rear wing and diffuser.Tue 22 Sep · 11:38 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren call on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to execute three 'essentials' in BakuMcLaren has outlined three key requirements for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team is set to implement a major aerodynamic upgrade to enhance the performance of their MCL40 cars, particularly focusing on airflow around the floor and rear tyres to improve balance on the circuit's long straights.
Rob Marshall, McLaren's chief technical officer, emphasised the unique challenges posed by Baku's layout, which combines the longest straight in Formula 1 with tight corners. He stressed the importance of energy, tyre, and brake management, as well as the need for confidence and precision from the drivers to navigate the demanding street circuit successfully.Tue 22 Sep · 10:55 UTC
via CrashSteiner predicts strong 2026 season for Norris and VerstappenGuenther Steiner has made predictions regarding the outcomes of the 2026 Formula 1 season, specifically highlighting Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Steiner believes both drivers will perform exceptionally well in the latter half of the season.
+ 2 moreTue 22 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via F1iMcLaren introduces major upgrade for Azerbaijan Grand PrixMcLaren has reintroduced its significant aerodynamic upgrade package for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, including the 'Macarena' wing. Despite recent successes in qualifying, the team faced challenges during the weekend in Baku.+ 4 moreTue 22 Sep · 09:34 UTC
via RacingNews365McLaren unveils new logo and brand identityMcLaren has introduced a new logo as part of its evolved brand identity, which will be implemented across its automotive and racing teams. This announcement comes as the team aims to explore new opportunities in the world of motorsport and automobiles.+ 3 moreTue 22 Sep · 09:15 UTC
via f1oversteer.com‘Angry’ Fernando Alonso has been taunting Honda staff about joining ‘Toyota’ insteadFernando Alonso has been openly critical of Honda's performance this season, recalling his successful stint with Toyota in the World Endurance Championship. He has reportedly taunted Honda staff by suggesting that to win, he would need to race with Toyota, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two manufacturers.
Alonso's current season with Aston Martin has been disappointing, with only three points scored, marking his worst performance since his rookie year in 2001. Despite being the lead driver in qualifying, he has struggled to advance past Q2. Alonso's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, as he weighs the impact of upcoming regulations against Honda's competitiveness.Tue 22 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen frustrated by Red Bull engine issuesMax Verstappen expressed his anger over engine problems during qualifying for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he ended up eighth on the grid. Red Bull's boss Laurent Mekies acknowledged that the team is struggling to resolve the ongoing issues affecting Verstappen's performance.
+ 1 moreTue 22 Sep · 08:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson returns to Racing Bulls for Azerbaijan GPLiam Lawson is set to race for Racing Bulls at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull for three races. Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane praised Lawson's performances during his time with Red Bull.+ 3 moreTue 22 Sep · 08:14 UTC
via Motorsport.comDoriane Pin shares powerful advice to young girls hoping to reach motorsportDoriane Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy champion and a development driver for Mercedes, has shared empowering advice for young girls aspiring to enter motorsport. In a recent interview, she emphasised the importance of believing in oneself and pursuing racing ambitions with confidence.
Reflecting on her own journey, Pin encouraged girls to trust their instincts and dreams, stating that self-belief is crucial for achieving their goals. She highlighted her experiences in karting and various racing championships, illustrating that success is attainable with determination and self-trust.
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