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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.
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.
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar team orders at Azerbaijan GP show Liam Lawson was right all along about Red BullAt the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first double podium in two and a half years. Hadjar demonstrated his commitment to team orders by allowing Verstappen to pass him early in the race, despite having a slight pace advantage. However, when Verstappen struggled to overtake Oscar Piastri, Hadjar's willingness to follow orders was put to the test as he later requested to race against his teammate.
The race highlighted the dynamics within Red Bull, where Verstappen's dominance often limits his teammates' opportunities to compete on equal terms. Hadjar's performance and subsequent contract renewal suggest he is prepared to embrace a supportive role in exchange for driving a competitive car. This situation echoes Liam Lawson's earlier comments about the challenges faced by Verstappen's teammates, who must adapt to the team's structure that prioritises Verstappen's success.
via Formula1.comOscar Piastri reflects on costly lock-up in BakuOscar Piastri described his late-race lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as surprising and disappointing, as it cost him a potential podium finish. The McLaren driver had been running in a strong position before the error, which left him outside the points.
via RaceFansLiam Lawson questions lack of penalty for Arvid LindbladLiam Lawson expressed confusion over the decision not to penalise his Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad for their collision during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The FIA clarified that no further action was taken against Lindblad, which left Lawson bemused.
via the-race.comGeorge Russell achieves first Grand Slam in BakuGeorge Russell secured his first Grand Slam at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in his career. Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing celebrated their first double podium finish in over two years, while Lance Stroll faced his fourth consecutive did not finish.
via Formula1.comIsack Hadjar praises Baku podium after injury returnIsack Hadjar described his third-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'real first' podium after returning from a wrist injury that sidelined him for six weeks. Red Bull's Hadjar received praise from Laurent Mekies, who called his performance 'outstanding'.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix by 0.196sGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing just 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. The win marked one of the closest finishes in Formula 1 history, showcasing Russell's strong performance throughout the race.
via RacingNews365Fred Vasseur responds to Christian Horner speculationFrederic Vasseur has addressed ongoing speculation regarding Christian Horner potentially replacing him as Ferrari's team principal. Vasseur described the situation as frustrating, stating that Horner's comments have become a distraction for the team.
via Motorsport.comRed Bull updates on Isack Hadjar's wrist injuryRed Bull Racing's boss Laurent Mekies provided an update on Isack Hadjar's wrist injury following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team also defended its race strategy involving Max Verstappen and Hadjar amidst criticism.
via f1oversteer.comJacques Villeneuve criticises Oscar Piastri's errorJacques Villeneuve has labelled Oscar Piastri's double lock-up during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 'rookie mistake'. The incident caused Piastri to drop to the back of the field in Baku.
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer mocks Isack Hadjar for being ‘the best guy in the world’ vs Max Verstappen in BakuDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer mocked Isack Hadjar for being overly compliant with Max Verstappen, suggesting he should have fought harder for position. Both Red Bull drivers ended up on the podium, marking their first joint podium since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, with Hadjar praised for his pace after returning from injury.
Palmer highlighted Hadjar's reluctance to challenge Verstappen during the race, questioning whether the Red Bull team was hesitant to ask Verstappen to concede his position. Despite Palmer's criticism, both drivers performed well, with Verstappen narrowly missing out on victory after two safety car periods.
via RacingNews365Verstappen falls short in Azerbaijan Grand PrixMax Verstappen finished just 0.196 seconds behind George Russell in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, admitting he was 'trying everything' to secure victory. Despite his efforts, Verstappen's pursuit of a win in 2026 continues as he remains without a race victory this season.
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar cautious after podium finish in BakuIsack Hadjar expressed caution regarding his health following his third-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver, who recently returned from injury, revealed that his left wrist felt 'numb' after the race.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell wins Azerbaijan GP by 0.196 secondsGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing just 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. The win marked a significant achievement for Russell, who faced a late challenge from the Red Bull driver.
via PlanetF1George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix for MercedesGeorge Russell secured his third victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his first career grand slam by leading every lap. The win, which ended a seven-race drought, saw Russell finish narrowly ahead of Max Verstappen in second place.
via f1oversteer.comTimo Glock saw Laurent Mekies’ real feelings after ‘frustrated’ Max Verstappen rued Red Bull issueMax Verstappen expressed frustration after a battery issue hindered his qualifying performance at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leaving him in P8 on the grid. Despite showing strong pace in practice and Q1, the problem arose during Q3, significantly impacting his speed and lap time.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged that the battery issue ruined Verstappen's chances for a better starting position. Timo Glock observed Mekies' tense demeanor while discussing the situation, raising concerns about potential challenges for Verstappen in the race following a promising start to the weekend.
via AutosportVerstappen says Baku was Red Bull's best chance to winMax Verstappen believes that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was Red Bull Racing's best opportunity to secure a victory in the 2026 Formula 1 season. He attributed his poor starting position to an issue with the internal combustion engine.
via Motorsport.com"Great job messing it up" – Why Max Verstappen feels Baku was Red Bull's best chance to winMax Verstappen stated that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was Red Bull's best chance to secure a victory in 2026, especially before Mercedes' upcoming upgrade in Malaysia. He expressed disappointment over an engine issue that affected his qualifying performance, resulting in a starting position of eighth instead of a potential front-row spot.
Despite acknowledging Mercedes' current speed and their expected improvements, Verstappen remains determined to fight for a podium finish. He reflected on the challenges faced throughout the season, highlighting his frustration with the team's setbacks while also recognising his passion for the sport.
via newsonf1.comHadjar admits he deliberately held back in BakuIsack Hadjar revealed that he intentionally held back during the Baku qualifying session, prioritising his recovery from a wrist injury. Despite this, he managed to secure a P4 position, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen, who encountered technical issues. Hadjar expressed that while the result was encouraging, it did not reflect his full potential as he aimed to avoid any mistakes that could jeopardise his recovery.
In his comments, Hadjar acknowledged that he felt Verstappen had outperformed him throughout the weekend. He noted that his absence from the previous races hindered his ability to compete for a front-row position. Hadjar reported that his wrist was coping well, and he completed extensive simulator laps to prepare for the race, indicating his confidence in fighting for a strong position if he starts from fourth.Page 7 of 32