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Sergio Perez is set to start 20th in Azerbaijan after receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri during qualifying.
Carlos Sainz is 14th on the provisional Azerbaijan Grand Prix grid after receiving a five-place penalty for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags in qualifying.
George Russell beat Charles Leclerc to pole in Baku by more than 0.8 seconds, while Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli crashed during Q1 and could not take part in Q2.
Zak Brown would welcome the chance to work with Max Verstappen at McLaren, but his expression of interest comes alongside support for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—not an announced transfer.
Lewis Hamilton wants clearer FIA guidance and full power through Baku’s final fast bends after a near-miss with Liam Lawson, for which he was reportedly reprimanded.
Jamie Chadwick completed 32 testing laps at Portimão in the 2025 Williams. According to the team, the session yielded data for the planned F1 return to the circuit in 2027.
George Russell also topped the second free practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli made it a Mercedes one-two; Max Verstappen finished third.
Alpine adviser Flavio Briatore warns that interviews with Argentinian television could stop if the online attacks on Pierre Gasly continue. This follows Gasly holding up his team-mate Franco Colapinto during the Spanish GP.
Arvid Lindblad brought the second free practice session in Baku to a halt with a crash in the castle section. The Racing Bulls driver was unable to continue in his damaged car; the red flag was shown so it could be recovered.
Audi will continue with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto in 2027. Team principal Mattia Binotto confirmed that both drivers would stay ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, RacingNews365 reports. He sees the duo as a good combination of experience and development.
Alex Dunne and Martinius Stenshorne each topped an F2 qualifying session in Baku. The Rodin team-mates finished first and second in both sessions, but the results remain provisional.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies is open to changes to the ADUO rules for engine development. The discussion concerns which manufacturers receive extra scope for development. Audi team principal Mattia Binotto warns that the system could also help a leading team, even though it is intended as a safety net.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu hopes to decide on Esteban Ocon’s seat for 2027 by the end of September 2026. Technical feedback and teamwork, as well as speed, will factor into the decision.
According to RacingNews365, Fernando Alonso will receive a twenty-place grid penalty for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The outlet reports a five-place penalty for team-mate Lance Stroll, also for component changes.
Five podium finishes in seven races do not mean Red Bull has become much faster, according to Max Verstappen. He points to good qualifying performances and strategy, but also to mistakes and problems among rivals.
George Russell finished the first free practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix fastest, ahead of Max Verstappen. Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli stopped after around 25 minutes and finished fifth.
The rear brakes on Carlos Sainz’s Williams caught fire during the first free practice session in Baku. Alex Albon, Isack Hadjar and Oscar Piastri also reported brake problems.
Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar had to end their first free practice session in Baku early because of technical problems, RacingNews365 reports. Antonelli reported a hydraulic failure; Hadjar experienced several problems with his car.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday 26 September. Writing for RacingNews365, Stefan Kerk links the unusual schedule to earlier Saturday races, including several title deciders. Not all the historical claims stand up to scrutiny.
Max Verstappen believes Isack Hadjar has earned his contract extension at Red Bull. According to RacingNews365, the Frenchman will remain his team-mate in 2027 and is set to return after a wrist injury.
According to RacingNews365, Isack Hadjar is returning in Baku after missing three Grands Prix. The Red Bull driver is still in pain from a fractured wrist, but a successful simulator test gives him confidence ahead of his comeback.
McLaren and Red Bull are both bringing aerodynamic updates to Baku, but with different areas of emphasis. According to RacingNews365, McLaren is changing its bodywork, floor and rear wing, among other elements; Red Bull’s package focuses mainly on the floor and sidepod.
According to Arvid Lindblad, Isack Hadjar stands out because he has performed comfortably at Red Bull from the outset. The Racing Bulls driver believes Hadjar has thereby earned early certainty over his contract for 2027.
George Russell puts improving his own performance ahead of thinking about a title comeback. Yet the Mercedes driver is not giving up the fight with Kimi Antonelli: as long as it is mathematically possible, he wants to keep fighting.
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