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via AutosportMax Verstappen forced into engine change in BakuMax Verstappen has had to make a late engine change for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The Red Bull driver experienced an engine problem that disrupted his plans after a strong performance in final practice.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:38 UTC
via gpfans.comRed Bull turn attention to F1 2027 title challenge after 'last significant package' in BakuRed Bull Racing has confirmed that the upgrade package introduced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be their final significant update for the 2026 season. Team principal Laurent Mekies stated that the team is currently 273 points behind Mercedes and has redirected most of its resources towards developing the 2027 car, as they are not in contention for the championship this year.
Despite the focus on future development, Mekies noted that the team is still aiming for their first win of the season. Technical director Pierre Wache acknowledged ongoing performance issues with the car, expressing uncertainty about resolving these problems before the start of the 2027 season.
Fri 25 Sep · 14:55 UTC
via Motorsport.comIsack Hadjar bullish: If I hadn't missed three races, I'd be second on the gridIsack Hadjar, driving for Red Bull Racing, qualified fourth for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but expressed confidence that he could have secured second place if he had not missed the previous three races due to a wrist injury. His qualifying time was just 0.137 seconds slower than Charles Leclerc, who took second, while Hadjar outperformed Max Verstappen, who qualified eighth.
Hadjar described his approach during the comeback as cautious, aiming to avoid risks while gradually building confidence. He acknowledged improvements in his car's handling since his last race in Hungary, but admitted that Mercedes still had a significant speed advantage, particularly in straight-line performance. This qualifying result marks Hadjar's best performance since the season opener in Melbourne.
Fri 25 Sep · 14:36 UTC
via RacingNews365Furious Max Verstappen 'completely done' after latest Red Bull problemMax Verstappen expressed his anger after a battery issue hindered his performance during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, resulting in an eighth-place finish. He had been competitive earlier in the session but faced difficulties in Q3, which he attributed to the car's failure to charge properly and other mechanical problems.
Verstappen, who had shown strong pace throughout the weekend, felt that the changes made to the car did not yield positive results. He was particularly frustrated with the inability to push effectively due to the battery not being fully charged, leading to a disappointing qualifying session that left him significantly behind his teammate Isack Hadjar.
Fri 25 Sep · 14:30 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Christian Horner calls Ferrari his dream F1 jobChristian Horner has stated that a role with Ferrari would be his 'dream' position in Formula 1, suggesting he would consider returning to the pit wall for the Scuderia. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has responded to the speculation surrounding Horner's potential interest in the role.
+ 6 moreFri 25 Sep · 11:07 UTC
via grandprix.comEsteban Ocon set to leave Haas for 2027 seasonEsteban Ocon is expected to depart Haas at the end of the current season, with Rafael Camara reportedly lined up as his replacement. Ocon's frustration regarding his uncertain future at Haas has been growing amid ongoing speculation about the team's driver lineup.
via PlanetF1Fernando Alonso receives penalty in Baku raceFernando Alonso has been handed a penalty by the FIA during the Baku race weekend. As a result, Aston Martin faces a significant 50-place grid drop.
Fri 25 Sep · 10:22 UTC
via Formula1.comVerstappen beats Russell and Hamilton in Azerbaijan FP3Max Verstappen secured the fastest time in Free Practice 3 for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a lap of 1 minute 43.922 seconds. He edged out George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who finished second and third respectively, as drivers pushed their limits on the challenging Baku circuit.
The session saw several drivers struggle with the windy conditions, leading to multiple incidents, including Lance Stroll damaging his Aston Martin after hitting the wall. Despite the challenges, Verstappen's performance placed him in a strong position ahead of the qualifying session later in the day.
Fri 25 Sep · 10:01 UTC
via the-race.comWhat happened in F1 2026 Azerbaijan GP final practiceIn the final practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen of Red Bull emerged as the fastest driver, clocking a time of 1m43.922s. He edged out Mercedes' George Russell, who was just 0.099 seconds slower, while Lewis Hamilton claimed third place, 0.111 seconds off Verstappen's pace. Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc completed the top five, showcasing a competitive session.
The session was marked by tight competition, with only half a second separating positions 10th to 17th. Oscar Piastri led the McLaren team in seventh, while Fernando Alonso struggled in 20th place. Lance Stroll experienced a notable incident when he clipped the pitwall, adding to the drama of the session. Overall, the practice highlighted the close racing expected for the upcoming Grand Prix.
Fri 25 Sep · 09:59 UTC
via F1iMax Verstappen leads final practice at Azerbaijan Grand PrixMax Verstappen topped the timing boards during Free Practice 3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, benefiting from Red Bull's final major upgrade package of the season. The session took place on Friday in Baku, ahead of the race weekend.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 09:47 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen denies George Russell clean sweep in F1 Baku FP3Max Verstappen claimed the fastest time in Free Practice 3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating George Russell by 0.099 seconds. This victory prevented Russell from achieving a clean sweep of the practice sessions, as he had dominated the earlier sessions with a Mercedes 1-2 finish alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli.
The final practice session was marked by chaotic conditions, with several drivers struggling with grip and making mistakes. Verstappen's late push saw him rise to the top of the leaderboard, while Hamilton and Antonelli also showed strong performances. The session set the stage for a competitive qualifying ahead.
Fri 25 Sep · 09:43 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen threatens in 'kangaroo' Red Bull as Mercedes Baku dominance endsMax Verstappen secured the fastest time in the final practice session ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a 1m 43.922s. This performance marked a shift in momentum, as Mercedes had dominated earlier practices with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finishing second and third respectively, but could not match Verstappen's pace in the final session.
The practice session began slowly, with drivers adjusting to track conditions after overnight repairs. Verstappen expressed frustration with his car's handling, describing it as 'jumping like a kangaroo.' Despite this, he managed to outperform his competitors, setting the stage for an exciting qualifying session ahead.Fri 25 Sep · 09:36 UTC
via CrashZak Brown keeps future options open for Max VerstappenZak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, stated that the door remains 'wide open' for Max Verstappen to potentially join the team in the future. Brown expressed his admiration for Verstappen following their discussions last summer, despite the Dutch driver being contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2030.
+ 5 moreFri 25 Sep · 09:21 UTC
via RaceFansFeatured Comment: Why swapping Ocon for Camara makes sense for Haas | BriefEsteban Ocon has indicated that he is unlikely to remain with Haas for the 2027 Formula 1 season. This comes amid speculation that Haas may promote Rafael Camara from their Formula 2 team, as they look to strengthen their driver lineup with Ferrari academy talent.
Comments from fans suggest that Ocon's abilities as a driver are being questioned, particularly in light of his race win in Hungary, which some believe was not a reflection of his skill. From Haas's perspective, retaining Ocon may not provide any significant advantage, leading to discussions about the potential benefits of bringing in a new driver.
Fri 25 Sep · 08:28 UTC
via f1oversteer.comChristian Horner reveals he’d forget his only non-negotiable to secure ‘dream’ Ferrari roleChristian Horner has expressed a willingness to join Ferrari, stating it is his 'dream' role in Formula 1. He mentioned that he would forgo his usual requirement for ownership in a team to work with the iconic Italian brand, which he views as the biggest name in the sport.
Horner's comments come amid speculation about his future in F1, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding Fred Vasseur's position at Ferrari. If appointed, Horner's presence could potentially impact the team's driver lineup, especially concerning Lewis Hamilton, who has had a contentious history with Horner's former team, Red Bull.
Fri 25 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull and Williams upgrades explained as development war intensifiesAt the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, both Red Bull and Williams have introduced significant upgrades to their cars. Williams has focused on reducing the weight of the FW48, achieving a reduction of approximately 7kg, which could improve lap times by two-tenths of a second. The team has made modest aerodynamic changes, including reshaping the floor and removing a connecting strut.
Red Bull's upgrades are more visually apparent, with modifications to the sidepods aimed at enhancing aerodynamic performance. These changes are designed to address rear-end instability issues that have plagued the RB22 throughout the season. The updates are tailored to better suit Max Verstappen's driving style, although they do not completely resolve the car's weaknesses.Fri 25 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via newsonf1.comRalf Schumacher supports Tsolov over Lawson for 2027Ralf Schumacher has expressed his belief that Red Bull should promote Nikola Tsolov to the Racing Bulls for the 2027 season instead of retaining Liam Lawson. This comes despite Lawson's strong performances while substituting for Isack Hadjar.via newsonf1.comBriatore rules out Ferrari moveFlavio Briatore has firmly ruled out the possibility of taking charge at Ferrari, stating that it is too late for him to consider such a role. Currently leading Alpine, he expressed respect for Fred Vasseur's efforts at Ferrari amidst ongoing speculation about Vasseur's future. Briatore also commented on the challenges of managing Ferrari's driver pairing, which he described as quarrelsome.
In addition to his comments on Ferrari, Briatore addressed the future of Alpine, asserting that Renault has no plans to sell the team. He revealed that there are at least seven investors interested in purchasing a minority stake in Alpine. Briatore also noted that the commercial value of Alpine reflects the overall growth in Formula 1, while playfully dismissing his previous retirement claims.
via f1oversteer.com‘Alarm bells’ ring at Ferrari after hearing what Oliver Bearman said about Baku engine failureFerrari are concerned for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after hearing what Haas’ Oliver Bearman said about his engine failure during FP2 at the Azerbaijan ...Fri 25 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull addresses car issues raised by Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing has introduced its final significant upgrade package for the RB22 in Baku, aiming to resolve long-standing car issues highlighted by Max Verstappen. Technical director Pierre Waché confirmed that the correlation from the upgrades is positive as the team shifts its focus for the remainder of the season.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 06:00 UTCPage 17 of 78