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via CrashVerstappen tops final practice ahead of Azerbaijan GPMax Verstappen set the fastest time in the final practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating George Russell. Lewis Hamilton also featured prominently, finishing third as Red Bull and Mercedes prepared for qualifying.
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen tops final practice at Azerbaijan GPMax Verstappen of Red Bull Racing secured the fastest time in the final practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending George Russell's dominance in earlier sessions. Russell, driving for Mercedes, finished second, followed by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in third.
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.
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.
via CrashVasseur responds to Horner's Ferrari job speculationFrederic Vasseur has expressed frustration over ongoing speculation regarding Christian Horner potentially replacing him as Ferrari's team principal. Vasseur stated that Horner's comments about Ferrari being his 'dream' job have become a distraction for the team as they aim for a strong finish in the championship.
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.
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.
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.
via CrashMax Verstappen leads final practice in BakuMax Verstappen has secured the fastest time in the final practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The session sets the stage for the upcoming qualifying rounds.
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.comFornaroli unlikely as Haas decision nearsLeonardo Fornaroli remains a candidate for the Haas seat currently held by Esteban Ocon, but McLaren CEO Zak Brown indicates that the team expects him to continue in their reserve role. Haas has been evaluating several drivers, including Fornaroli, Rafael Camara, Ryo Hirakawa, and Jack Doohan, as they consider a potential change for the 2027 season.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu stated that an announcement regarding Ocon's future will be made soon, as they have completed evaluations of the candidates. Komatsu acknowledged that all tested drivers have performed well, highlighting the team's fortunate position of having multiple talented prospects to choose from.
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 ...
via gpfans.comGeorge Russell secures pole position in BakuGeorge Russell achieved pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, providing him with a significant opportunity to reduce Kimi Antonelli's championship lead. This comes after Russell's Mercedes team-mate crashed out during the qualifying session.
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.
via RacingNews365Radical McLaren upgrade targets its biggest weaknessMcLaren has made significant changes to the MCL40's sidepods ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, focusing on reducing aerodynamic drag, which has been a persistent issue for the team. The redesign includes a new squarer inlet shape and improved internal ducting, which enhances airflow management without compromising cooling efficiency.
This upgrade is crucial for drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they compete in the constructors' championship. By addressing the drag deficit, McLaren hopes to close the gap to rivals like Ferrari and improve their performance in the remaining races of the season.
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri to start from second row in BakuOscar Piastri will begin the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the second row after a strong performance in qualifying. McLaren's improved pace was highlighted during the session, contributing to Piastri's competitive starting position.
via f1chronicle.comLewis Hamilton Admits Chasing George Russell, Not Kimi Antonelli, Is Now His Real Championship BattleLewis Hamilton has acknowledged that he is unlikely to catch Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship, as he trails by 101 points. Instead, he is now focusing on George Russell, who is just 20 points ahead of him in the standings. Hamilton believes that finishing second or maintaining third place would be a significant achievement for him and Ferrari this season, especially after a challenging 2025 campaign.
As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches, Hamilton is preparing for a crucial triple header of races. He has expressed optimism about Ferrari's recent improvements and is determined to address execution issues that have hindered their performance. With 83 points available in the upcoming races, Hamilton's strategy has shifted to defending his position against Russell and Lando Norris, marking a change in his championship aspirations.
via f1oversteer.comFlavio Briatore explains why even he is ‘rooting’ for Ferrari to end their F1 title droughtFlavio Briatore, the Alpine chief, expressed his support for Ferrari in their quest to end a long title drought, despite his position at a rival team. He acknowledged that while Ferrari is competitive, they have consistently faced challenges from other teams, particularly Mercedes, who are currently dominating the championship.
During an interview, Briatore highlighted the importance of a successful Ferrari for the entire Formula 1 community. He also commented on the current struggles of Ferrari under team principal Fred Vasseur, suggesting that understanding the team's issues is crucial for improvement. Briatore dismissed speculation about replacing Vasseur, stating it was too late for him to take on that role.
via RacingNews365Liam Lawson returns to Racing Bulls for Azerbaijan GPLiam Lawson is set to return to Racing Bulls for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar. Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane praised Lawson's performances during his stint with the team.Page 17 of 82