F1. Azerbaijan 2026 Review

Chelsea: It would be so mean to not give it to race winner George Russell – he did everything right over the weekend. He dominated in qualifying, kept a cool head, and drove a race that arguably would have outpaced his teammate, had Antonelli held his regular spot at the front of the grid. In interviews Russell has mentioned adapting his driving style to suit the new Mercedes, so theoretically this new form should stick, but I’m not holding my breath… and not giving him Driver of the Weekend, either. That honour goes to one Mr Isack Hadjar, who has finally been offered a little more than a bedside drawer at Red Bull. Gammy hand be damned, the Francalgerian more than held his own round the streets of Baku, and more than deserved his spot on the podium. Love it.

Gavin: George Russell really didn’t put a foot wrong, and though he only just held off Max Vertappen for the closest ending to a F1 race in 24 years (and people are still saying the new regulations are rubbish) he gets the vote this week. What George needs now is a run of these results but with team mate and current championship leader Kimi Antonelli on the grid this is no easy task. Oh, and don’t forget the suddenly very good Red Bull cars and team.

Aiden: Mr Saturday became Mr Friday, then followed that up by being Mr Saturday, when it usually would have been Mr Sunday. Whatever day of the week it was, George Russell was on one over the weekend. Pole position, fastest lap, and a win that saw him lead the race from start to finish; but he had to withstand late pressure from Max Verstappen after two safety cars wiped out his 11-second lead. In the end, Russell took the spoils by 0.196 secs, having been the fastest qualifier by 0.837 secs. A gorgeous weekend.

Graeme: This is a tough one.  I want to say Max Verstappen as he drove well and quick, but he had a patch in there where his teammate was right up him and they weren’t progressing.  He finished second on the day.  George Russell drove a stonking lap in Q3 to take Pole and then dominated the race.  He would have won easier if it wasn’t for Safety Cars, so he deserved his win.

Talking Point

Chelsea: Franco Colapinto reminded me a little of a four-year-old boy at a birthday party – you know the one – who has so much sugar he runs around chaotically, colliding with the legs of increasingly vexed adults who wish someone would lock him in the catio. After the second restart, Colapinto hurtled far too quickly into a corner, colliding with teammate Gasly who, in turn, took out a semi-competitive Lando Norris. “Penny for the thoughts of Flavio Briatore,” mused the commentary team with good reason; apparently Managing Director Steve Nielsen removed himself from the pit wall specifically to have words with Colapinto in the garage. Colapinto will take a five-place grid penalty at the Bahrain/Malaysian race, but that will be the least of his worries compared to the absolute bollocking he would have received. Incidentally, Steve Nielsen’s Wikipedia page describes him as a “British truck driver working in F1”, which is understating things somewhat, but also quite badass.

Gavin: Wait…What… Red Bull almost had to use team orders because for once their second driver, in this case Isack Hadjar, was faster than their main man Max Verstappen! Max may moan about the car at every opportunity but that team are doing something right at the moment and if things carry on like this they will be in contention for some silverware by the end of the season.

Aiden: Alpine’s Flávio Briatore isn’t one to mince his words, but when he said “it was a very poor move for a driver of his experience,” I felt like Franco Colapinto should be expecting to spend time in detention, washing Briatore’s car and doing the dishes for the foreseeable. Taking out your teammate is the biggest no-no in the sport, especially when you and Pierre Gasly are in the points, points much needed as they look to pass Racing Bulls in the constructors championship. Lando Norris wasn’t overly impressed either and the Argentinian will serve a five-place grid penalty next weekend.

Graeme: What is it with teammates crashing to each other?  Colapinto was downright stupid trying to go down the inside and do whatever he was trying to do.  Of course he was going to lock up.  And to take his teammate out at the same time was even worse.  Both Alpines were on track to score good points as well, so he deserves everything team boss Flavio Briatorre gives him.  Likewise, Arvid Linblad hitting his teammate Liam Lawson.  Careless.

Gossip Time

Chelsea: Colapinto wasn’t the only culprit when it comes to F1’s cardinal sin – smashing into your teammate. Liam Lawson suffered the same fate at the same restart after Arvid Lindblad nudged him all the way out of the points. “Man, I love being taken out by my teammate, that’s pretty sick,” drawled Lawson sarcastically; evaporating any level of sympathy I had for him. Still, it was bad news, made worse for Lawson by the fact that Lindblad escaped a penalty, and neither of them are yet guaranteed a seat for next year.

Gavin: Lando Norris calling for drivers to be banned for causing a crash it just childish petulance from the man who crashed into his team mate / main rival / drivers championship leader just last season at the Canadian Grand Prix – Lando then went on to win the Championship. And lets not forget the outrage when Max Verstappen first came onto the grid and was crashing into everyone and got labelled as dangerous by all and sundry and look what happened there. I think the current Champion should take a step back here.

Aiden: Christian Horner is releasing a memoir, imaginatively called ‘Drive’, which means he’s out and about trying to get people interested. In doing so, he spoke to The Times, saying “At this stage in my life, there’s only one team for which I would accept non-participation in ownership. I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It’s the dream. And arguably it’s the sleeping giant of Formula 1.” Fred Vasseur doesn’t seem too keen on the idea, saying, ” Mr. Horner is looking for a job, everybody knows, everywhere” I’m guessing Fred isn’t looking for a signed copy anytime soon…

Graeme: They could introduce promotion / relegation into F1.  Aston Martin, based on their form this year don’t deserve to be on the grid.  There I said it.  They’re an embarrassment and the longer Fernando Alonso is there, the less great he becomes within the F1 history books.  His reputation is being damaged further each week.  As for Lance Stroll, well, where do I start?  He may have had a decent junior career, but that was a long time ago.  Daddys boy had his 11th retirement of the season and only made it to the 8th lap this week.  Get out Aston Martin, you’re rubbish!

Looking Ahead

Chelsea: This week brings the Bahrain Grand Prix live from… Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. I’m sure there’s a very good reason for keeping the name while changing literally everything else about the race, but I know it will just annoy me if I look it up. What frustrates me more is the fact that we still don’t know the fate of some of the remaining races this season. Championship speculation calculations are a little less fun if you don’t have any real data to base them on. George Russell, a naturally antsy man, will be even more anxious to know how many swings he’s got at this particular piñata (the championship, that is, not Antonelli). I will work on my metaphors for next week.

Gavin: Bahrain this weekend coming to you live from, checks notes, Malaysia. Now that might be difficult to explain in the future but it is not as mad as Lance Stroll still not finishing a race so far this season. And with those cars I am just not sure this weekend much will change. Still, at least it is on at a decent time for us in Aotearoa.

Aiden: Azerbaijan was the first of six races in seven weekends and next up is the Bahrain Grand Prix…in Malaysia. It’s the first race in Sepang since 2017 when Pierre Gasly made his F1 debut, Charles LeClerc replaced Marcus Ericsson in free practice and a certain Max Verstappen won his second Grand Prix. Expect it to be hot, humid and raining.

Graeme: We’re deep into the triple header now, with Bahrain Malaysia coming up this week.  The Sepang Circuit sees to be a favourite of those who have driven it, so it should be a goodie.  The 8pm Sunday NZ start time is perfect too.

Bonus Picture(s)

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