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via RacingNews365George Russell's lead erased by safety car in BakuGeorge Russell's advantage during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was nullified when a safety car was deployed. The incident added to the drama of the race, which also saw Franco Colapinto involved in a significant incident for Alpine.
via RacingNews365Aston Martin faces double retirement in AzerbaijanAston Martin experienced a challenging weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll forced to retire from the race. Alonso reportedly made the decision to retire himself, marking another difficult chapter in the team's season.
via Motorsport.comVilleneuve says Ocon has done his time in F1Jacques Villeneuve has stated that Esteban Ocon's time in Formula 1 is nearing its end, suggesting his career may conclude when he leaves Haas. Villeneuve believes Ocon is running out of opportunities to secure a seat on the grid.
via Motorsport.comFernando Alonso's only goal in no-hope Baku: Save parts for F1's triple-headerFernando Alonso is participating in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with Aston Martin, where he aims to finish the race without errors. Given the team's struggles with Honda's engine performance, Alonso is prioritising the preservation of car parts for the upcoming triple-header of races in Malaysia and Singapore.
Despite qualifying significantly behind the leaders, Alonso noted improvements in the car's setup and expressed optimism about future races. He and teammate Lance Stroll have taken engine penalties, which has affected their grid positions. Alonso is focused on making the most of the less competitive weekends to prepare for more promising circuits.
via the-race.comAlpine's surprise assist with its 2026 F1 revivalAlpine has announced that Daniil Kvyat, a former Red Bull driver, has returned to the team as a simulator driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Kvyat, who has a history with Alpine as a reserve driver in 2021, has been working alongside reserve drivers Paul Aron and Kush Maini, contributing to both simulator duties and race weekend support.
Kvyat has played a significant role in helping Alpine improve its performance during the season, particularly during races in Japan and Canada. The team has seen a resurgence in competitiveness following a switch to Mercedes engines, and Kvyat's experience and feedback have been valuable assets in their revival efforts.
via f1oversteer.comChristian Horner says he lost trust in Adrian NeweyChristian Horner has stated that he realised he could no longer rely on Adrian Newey at Red Bull more than ten years before Newey's departure from the team. This revelation highlights a significant shift in their professional relationship.
via Formula1.comGasly buoyed by Alpine gains after Baku double Q3 appearancePierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto both advanced to the final qualifying stage for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Gasly securing a P7 start and Colapinto P10. Gasly expressed optimism about Alpine's performance, noting he could have achieved a better time without interruptions from yellow flags, while Colapinto admitted to struggling with pace and execution in Q3.
Gasly highlighted the team's progress and his comfort with the car's balance, indicating a strong potential for scoring points in the race. Despite Colapinto's challenges, he remains hopeful for improvement and is determined to fight for a better result in the race. Alpine is currently in a competitive battle to be the 'best of the rest' against Racing Bulls.
via the-race.comWinners and losers from F1 Azerbaijan GP qualifyingGeorge Russell dominated the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, achieving pole position with a significant margin of 0.837 seconds. His teammate Kimi Antonelli faced difficulties, qualifying 16th after a collision with the barrier, while Max Verstappen struggled with engine problems, finishing 8th. Isack Hadjar impressed with a 4th place finish, just missing out on the front row, while Audi's performance was disappointing, with both drivers exiting in Q1.
Carlos Sainz's 9th place marked a notable achievement for Williams, who had both cars in Q3 for the first time this season. Esteban Ocon expressed frustration after qualifying 14th, hindered by yellow flags. Alpine had a strong showing with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto qualifying 7th and 10th, respectively. Sergio Perez's qualifying session ended in disappointment, as he finished 20th after a series of misfortunes.
via grandprix.comBriatore says seven investors want Alpine stakeFlavio Briatore has stated that at least seven investors are interested in acquiring Otro Capital's minority stake in Alpine, which is currently 24 percent. However, he clarified that Renault has no plans to sell the Alpine Formula 1 team itself, emphasizing that any changes in minority ownership do not equate to Renault exiting the sport.
Briatore highlighted the significant financial growth in Formula 1, suggesting that the valuation of teams has reached a minimum of $3 billion. He also defended Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur amidst ongoing pressure and expressed his commitment to Alpine, dismissing any notions of retirement or a potential move to Ferrari.
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.comFlavio Briatore tells Fred Vasseur what he must ‘make clear’ to Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeclercFlavio Briatore has urged Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur to clarify the responsibilities of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as they compete for the team's number one driver status. Briatore highlighted the need for Vasseur to remind both drivers that they must prioritise the team's success over personal rivalry, especially as Ferrari's performance has declined since the summer break.
Despite the tension, both Hamilton and Leclerc maintain that their relationship is friendly. Leclerc expressed the importance of communication between them, acknowledging that their actions are often scrutinised more than those of drivers from other teams. He emphasised their shared goal of winning as a team and restoring Ferrari's competitive edge.
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 gpfans.comAlpine 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.
via PlanetF1Cadillac F1 announces key technical team appointmentsCadillac Formula 1 has made significant strides by hiring Craig Skinner, Eric Blandin, and Tim Lean from top teams including Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. These appointments are part of Cadillac's strategy to enhance its technical capabilities and accelerate development.
via f1oversteer.comGuenther Steiner disagrees with Toto Wolff about the real ‘problem’ with Honda’s ‘air pump’ engineGuenther Steiner has publicly disagreed with Toto Wolff regarding the issues facing Aston Martin, attributing their struggles to Honda's engine performance rather than the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO). Steiner described Honda's engine as akin to an 'air pump', suggesting that even with ADUO, Aston Martin would not see improvements due to fundamental flaws in the engine design.
The debate highlights the ongoing challenges Aston Martin faces in the 2026 Formula 1 season, as they remain unable to close the gap to midfield competitors. Wolff and others have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of ADUO, but Steiner insists that the core problem lies with Honda's inability to adapt to new regulations, which has left Aston Martin lagging behind.
via F1iBriatore warns of media blackout over Gasly abuseFlavio Briatore has threatened to prevent Franco Colapinto from speaking to Argentinian media if the online abuse directed at Pierre Gasly continues. This warning comes amid escalating tensions following Alpine's performance at the Spanish Grand Prix.
via Formula1.comAlonso and Stroll face grid penalties at Azerbaijan GPFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin will start from the back of the grid at the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to engine penalties. The penalties were imposed after both drivers exceeded their power unit allocations by fitting new components.
via PlanetF1first practice session begins for 2026 Azerbaijan GPThe first practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has commenced at the Baku City Circuit. Teams and drivers are currently working on their setups ahead of the race weekend.
via CrashFlavio Briatore threatens Franco Colapinto media blackout over fan abuse falloutFlavio Briatore, the Alpine executive advisor, has threatened to impose a media blackout on Franco Colapinto if the abuse directed at Pierre Gasly from Colapinto's fans does not cease. Gasly has expressed concern over the disturbing nature of the threats he and his family have received following a racing incident involving himself and Colapinto.
Briatore has called for Argentinian fans to support Colapinto in a respectful manner, emphasizing that the current online behaviour is inappropriate. He highlighted the need for a positive environment for Colapinto's development as a driver, while also addressing the ongoing issue of fan abuse in the sport, which has affected other drivers like Esteban Ocon.
via grandprix.comBriatore warns of media access restrictions for ColapintoFlavio Briatore has threatened to limit Franco Colapinto's access to Argentine media due to online abuse directed at Pierre Gasly from Colapinto's fans. Briatore urged supporters to show clean and loyal support for Colapinto instead of engaging in harmful behaviour on social media.Page 5 of 21



