McLarenRB F1 TeamRed Bull 
via thejudge13.comVerstappen warns Mercedes upgrade could change Red Bull’s picture againMax Verstappen expressed caution regarding Red Bull's competitive position following their recent success at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite finishing on the podium alongside teammate Isack Hadjar, Verstappen warned that Mercedes' upcoming upgrades could shift the competitive landscape, making it difficult for Red Bull to maintain their advantage.
Verstappen acknowledged that while the RB22 showed improved balance in Baku, there are still underlying issues that need addressing. He emphasised the importance of maximising opportunities each weekend and highlighted the need for ongoing development to ensure Red Bull remains competitive against rivals like Mercedes.
thejudge13.comMon 28 Sep · 15:07 UTC
via f1technical.netWhat did Racing Bull learn from their "tougher-than-usual weekend" in Baku?Racing Bulls managed to secure six points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Arvid Lindblad finishing in seventh place after a challenging race. The team faced difficulties throughout the weekend, struggling for pace, but capitalised on incidents during the race, particularly after Safety Car restarts, to improve their positions. Lindblad's recovery drive included overtaking both Haas drivers in the closing stages, while Liam Lawson's race was compromised by contact at the first restart, leaving him in twelfth place.
Despite the tough weekend, Lindblad expressed satisfaction with the team's execution during the race and highlighted the importance of the points earned. Team Principal Alan Permane noted that the cars performed better during the race than in earlier sessions, providing valuable data for future improvements. The team aims to address their pace issues as they move forward in the championship.
f1technical.netMon 28 Sep · 15:00 UTC
via AutosportWhat made Red Bull so fast in the Azerbaijan GP after Verstappen’s qualifying issueRed Bull Racing achieved a significant milestone by securing a double podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen finishing second and Isack Hadjar in third. This marked the team's first double podium in nearly two and a half years, showcasing their strong performance despite Verstappen's earlier qualifying issues that left him eighth on the grid.
Team principal Laurent Mekies attributed their success to the powerful Red Bull-Ford power unit and effective energy management strategies. He noted that while they faced challenges with their power units, the team managed to close the performance gap with competitors. Looking ahead, Mekies acknowledged that Red Bull would not introduce further major updates this season, while also noting the competitive landscape with Mercedes set to release upgrades soon.
AutosportMon 28 Sep · 13:54 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAndrea Stella explains ‘high priority’ issue for McLaren after worrying Mercedes power comparisonAndrea Stella, the team principal of McLaren, raised significant concerns regarding the team's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, particularly their straight-line speed. Both drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, failed to secure points, with Norris crashing and Piastri making a costly mistake that left him in thirteenth place. Stella noted that the issues stemmed from the Mercedes power unit, specifically in fuel injection and aerodynamic drag, which hindered their competitiveness on the straights.
Stella emphasised that optimising the power unit is a high priority for McLaren moving forward. He highlighted that while they managed to extract maximum performance during qualifying, they fell short during the race. The speed trap data revealed a stark contrast between McLaren and Mercedes, with Norris and Piastri lagging significantly behind in terms of speed, indicating a need for urgent improvements to remain competitive.
f1oversteer.comMon 28 Sep · 12:00 UTC
via Motorsport WeekRed Bull issues Isack Hadjar radio praise during ‘outstanding’ F1 returnIsack Hadjar made a remarkable return to Formula 1 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing in third place after missing three races due to a wrist injury. His performance was highlighted by his strong qualifying position of fourth and his ability to work strategically alongside teammate Max Verstappen, which impressed Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies.
Mekies commended Hadjar for his composure and discipline during the race, particularly in his communication with the team. He noted that Hadjar's calmness and emotional control contributed significantly to the team's overall strategy, allowing for effective teamwork. Red Bull's decision to extend Hadjar's contract until 2027 reflects their confidence in his potential, which he demonstrated by repaying their faith with a strong performance in Baku.
Motorsport WeekMon 28 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via F1iMekies defends Red Bull’s no-orders approach in BakuRed Bull Racing narrowly missed its first victory of the 2026 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing with Max Verstappen in second place and Isack Hadjar in third. Team principal Laurent Mekies defended the decision to maintain the running order of the drivers, believing it offered the best chance to capitalize on a potential late-race safety car, despite Hadjar showing greater pace at times during the race.
Mekies highlighted the significant improvement in Red Bull's competitiveness, noting that both drivers performed exceptionally well throughout the weekend. He expressed pride in the team's progress, stating that they had closed the gap to their rivals and were now capable of competing with Mercedes. The result in Baku was seen as a turning point for Red Bull, showcasing their enhanced performance and teamwork.
F1iMon 28 Sep · 09:51 UTC
via AutosportWhy McLaren was so much slower than Mercedes on Baku's straightsMcLaren faced significant speed deficits compared to Mercedes during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite both teams using the same engine. George Russell outpaced Oscar Piastri by 0.8 seconds, while Lando Norris was even further behind, struggling with both car performance and tyre issues throughout the race.
Team principal Andrea Stella highlighted that McLaren's MCL40 struggles with low-speed corners and lacks aerodynamic efficiency on straights. Additionally, the team decided against making mid-season gearing adjustments, which contributed to their top-speed deficit. Norris also dealt with a fuel injection issue that affected his qualifying and race performance.AutosportMon 28 Sep · 08:34 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMcLaren warned Oscar Piastri about lock-up risk in unheard Azerbaijan Grand Prix radioDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri was in contention for a podium finish when he experienced a lock-up that caused him to fall to 15th place. He initially passed Charles Leclerc for second position and defended against Red Bull drivers until a safety car incident changed the race dynamics. Piastri's lock-up occurred while he was under pressure from Isack Hadjar, leading to a significant drop in his race position due to heavily flat-spotted tyres.
McLaren's Tom Stallard had warned Piastri about the risk of lock-ups after Lando Norris had a similar incident earlier in the race. Despite the setback, Stallard noted that Piastri's first stint was impressive and expressed optimism about their performance moving forward. Andrea Stella acknowledged that the team's car performance contributed to the lock-ups, indicating that insufficient straight-line speed put additional pressure on the drivers.f1oversteer.comMon 28 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via F1iLeclerc urges Ferrari to react to Red Bull and McLaren surgeCharles Leclerc expressed concern over Ferrari's performance after finishing fourth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlighting that the team's SF-26 lacked the necessary pace to compete with Red Bull and McLaren. He noted that rivals had made significant upgrades, while Ferrari had not, which put them at a disadvantage.
Leclerc acknowledged that the development gap was becoming increasingly urgent, as every upgrade must count due to budget caps and testing restrictions. He confirmed that Ferrari has developments planned but was cautious about their potential impact, stressing the need for the team to respond quickly to regain lost ground.F1iMon 28 Sep · 07:12 UTC
via f1technical.net"It was undoubtedly his best race with us so far," claims Mekies as he hails Red ...Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies commended the team's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, describing it as their best weekend of the season. Max Verstappen recovered from an eighth-place start to finish second, while Isack Hadjar, returning from injury, secured third place, marking a significant turnaround for the team after earlier struggles this season.
Mekies highlighted the progress made by Red Bull, noting their competitiveness against Mercedes. He praised both drivers for their teamwork and performance, particularly emphasizing Hadjar's impressive return. The double podium reflects a major improvement for Red Bull, showcasing the effectiveness of their recent upgrades and the collective effort of the team.f1technical.netMon 28 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen F1 nightmare as Red Bull boss reveals 'huge problem'Max Verstappen has raised concerns about his car's performance, describing it as 'degrading' during races. Red Bull's leadership, including Laurent Mekies and Pierre Wache, have confirmed these issues, with Wache admitting he lacks confidence in a full fix before the next season. The team is shifting focus to 2027, marking the upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as their last significant package for the year.
Despite these challenges, Red Bull managed to secure a double podium in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Verstappen finishing second, just behind George Russell. This result allowed Red Bull to close the gap to McLaren in the constructors' championship, reducing their deficit from 76 points to 43 points. However, the team acknowledges that significant work remains to be done to improve their car's performance.
gpfans.comMon 28 Sep · 06:57 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.f1technical.netMon 28 Sep · 03:00 UTC
via f1technical.net“It just hurts obviously," claims Piastri as he rues missed Baku podiumOscar Piastri expressed disappointment after finishing outside the points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite showing strong pace throughout the weekend. He started the race in second place but lost positions during a Safety Car restart and made a costly mistake at Turn 1, which left him at the back of the field with flat-spotted tyres.
Despite the setback, Piastri highlighted the positives from the weekend, stating that he learned a lot and felt more comfortable with the car. He is looking forward to the next race in Malaysia, hoping to build on the progress made in Baku and improve his performance.f1technical.netMon 28 Sep · 01:00 UTC
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.f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri reveals 'pretty painful' misery after Baku 'surprise'Oscar Piastri expressed his frustration after a double front lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ruined what could have been a strong race for him. The incident occurred on lap 40 while he was defending his position, dropping him from second to the rear of the field, and he ultimately finished in 13th place, leaving McLaren without any points.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Piastri noted that he had made progress throughout the weekend, feeling more comfortable and capable of extracting better lap times from his car. He acknowledged the painful nature of the result but remained optimistic about his performance leading up to the incident.
RacingNews365Sun 27 Sep · 17:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar reflects on Liam Lawson's Red Bull stintIsack Hadjar expressed mixed feelings about watching Liam Lawson drive his Red Bull Formula 1 car while he was sidelined due to injury. Damon Hill commented on the psychological pressure Lawson faces after Hadjar's impressive performances.f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comRed Bull impressed by Isack Hadjar's F1 returnIsack Hadjar made a strong return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing after recovering from a wrist injury. His performance at the challenging Baku City Circuit particularly impressed the team.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 10:10 UTC.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comHow the faster Hadjar helped Verstappen to second place in BakuMax Verstappen secured second place in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, aided by his teammate Isack Hadjar. After starting from eighth on the grid, Verstappen showcased his pace, which was hindered during qualifying due to engine issues and yellow flags.
During the race, Verstappen moved into third place before the team instructed Hadjar to allow him to pass. This strategic move enabled Verstappen to chase down the race leader, George Russell, after he had already overtaken Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Formula1.comSun 27 Sep · 08:05 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOliver Bearman just confirmed Lewis Hamilton is right about Ferrari engine after Haas struggleOliver Bearman, driving for Haas, confirmed Lewis Hamilton's concerns regarding the performance of Ferrari's engine after a challenging race in Azerbaijan. Despite being faster on the lap, Bearman struggled to defend against Red Bull's Arvid Lindblad, who he described as a 'missile' on the straights, highlighting the significant speed deficit of the Ferrari engine.
Hamilton has also expressed frustration with the power of his Mercedes engine, noting it has become a recurring issue this season. He previously mentioned losing time on the straights and criticized the recent engine upgrade for not delivering the expected improvements. While Ferrari's engine has shown reliability, teams like Haas and Cadillac are left wanting more performance.f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via gpfans.comChristian Horner says Red Bull has lost its mojoChristian Horner, the former Red Bull team principal, has stated that the team has 'lost its mojo' since his departure. He expressed that Red Bull is no longer the same without his presence in the Formula 1 paddock.gpfans.com+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 06:58 UTC
via grandprix.comChristian Horner's memoir revisits Red Bull conflictsChristian Horner's upcoming autobiography, titled Drive, revisits his contentious relationships with Adrian Newey and Helmut Marko at Red Bull Racing. The book, set for release on October 22, includes Horner's perspective on his dismissal from the team.newsonf1.com+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 06:34 UTC
via Motorsport.comWho slept best last night: Laurent MekiesLaurent Mekies, the new team principal of Red Bull Racing, is focused on fostering a supportive environment within the team. Under his leadership, Red Bull achieved its first double podium of the 2026 season in Baku, with Max Verstappen narrowly missing victory and Isack Hadjar returning from injury to secure a podium finish. Mekies has also successfully extended Hadjar's contract for 2027, demonstrating the team's trust in him.
Mekies' approach contrasts with the previous leadership, aiming to reduce internal politics and create a more positive culture. His efforts have been reflected in the team's improved performance this season, as they keep pace with competitors like McLaren. The emphasis on trust and support appears to be paying off, as evidenced by Hadjar's successful return to racing.Motorsport.comSun 27 Sep · 05:24 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 lightsoutblog.com2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Race Statistics, Facts and TriviaGeorge Russell secured victory at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his eighth career win and achieving his first Grand Slam by leading every lap and setting the fastest lap. He won by a narrow margin of 0.196 seconds, the closest finish since 2023, and this victory also allowed Mercedes to equal Ferrari for the most wins in Formula 1 history.
Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar completed the podium, marking Red Bull's first double podium finish in over two years. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and sixth respectively, while Kimi Antonelli, who started 16th, finished fifth. Haas achieved a double points finish for the first time at Baku, with Carlos Sainz rounding out the top ten.lightsoutblog.comSat 26 Sep · 21:27 UTC