News Summary
- Red Bull has renewed Isack Hadjar’s contract, securing its 2027 partnership alongside Max Verstappen.
- Esteban Ocon has declared himself a free agent as Rafael Câmara emerges as the favourite for his Haas seat.
- Flavio Briatore has threatened to restrict Franco Colapinto’s Argentine media access after attacks against Pierre Gasly and his family.
Formula 1 has arrived in Baku for an Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend that begins one day earlier than usual. Before the cars take to the circuit on Thursday, however, the 2027 driver market and the escalating controversy surrounding Alpine have controlled the headlines.
These are the leading Formula 1 stories on GRANDE PRÊMIO this Tuesday, September 23.
Red Bull retains Hadjar alongside Verstappen for 2027
Red Bull has completed its 2027 driver line-up by extending Isack Hadjar’s contract alongside Max Verstappen.
The Frenchman joined the senior team during the 2026 season and has already delivered a podium at the Monaco GP. Red Bull’s decision removes one of the most competitive seats from the driver market before the final part of the championship.
Hadjar described racing alongside Verstappen as a “privilege” and said the Dutchman continued to establish the benchmark inside the organisation.
The Hadjar announcement means Red Bull becomes another team to complete its plans early, while uncertainty remains around Racing Bulls and several midfield operations.
F1 2027 grid now has 12 confirmed drivers
Hadjar’s renewal means 12 of the 22 seats available for 2027 are officially occupied, leaving ten places unresolved.
Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Alpine and Audi have completed their pairings. Cadillac also has Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez under contract, while Oliver Bearman is expected to remain at Haas.
The primary remaining decisions involve Haas, Racing Bulls, Williams and Aston Martin. Some seats may be contractually occupied but remain exposed to changes as teams evaluate their long-term options.
The complete 2027 F1 grid will continue to evolve as Haas decides whether to replace Esteban Ocon.
Ocon declares himself a free agent as Haas exit approaches
Ocon has openly acknowledged that he could leave Haas after the 2026 season.
Speaking in Baku, the Frenchman described himself as a “free agent” for 2027, although discussions with Haas have not formally ended. Reports increasingly indicate that the American team is preparing to make a change alongside Bearman.
Rafael Câmara has emerged as the leading candidate after completing evaluations with Haas and an extensive Ferrari testing programme. Gene Haas is reportedly supporting the Brazilian’s promotion, while Ferrari believes its academy driver is ready for F1.
Jack Doohan, Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryō Hirakawa have also been linked with the position.
Ocon’s admission that he is free to negotiate with other teams strengthens expectations that his two-season Haas spell is approaching its conclusion.
Briatore threatens Colapinto media blackout
Flavio Briatore has issued an ultimatum to the abusive minority within Franco Colapinto’s Argentine following.
Pierre Gasly revealed that he, his girlfriend and members of his family received threats after the Spanish GP in Madrid. The attacks followed accusations that Gasly had deliberately compromised Colapinto during the race.
Briatore warned that Colapinto could stop speaking to Argentine television entirely if the behaviour continued.
“If this continues, Franco will stop speaking to Argentine television. He will stop speaking to everyone,” the Alpine executive adviser told ESPN Argentina.
Briatore insisted supporters must back Colapinto in a “respectful and loyal” manner. The threatened media blackout follows previous warnings involving Jack Doohan, Yuki Tsunoda, Esteban Ocon and FIA stewards.
Colapinto subsequently defended Gasly and described the abuse as unacceptable.
Russell rules out Baku penalty and keeps title hopes alive
George Russell has confirmed that he does not expect to take a power-unit grid penalty in Azerbaijan.
The Mercedes driver has used several engine components during a season complicated by reliability concerns, creating speculation that Baku could be selected for another change. Russell dismissed that possibility and said he intends to continue fighting for the title while the mathematics permits.
Kimi Antonelli leads his team-mate by 81 points with nine rounds remaining. A maximum of 208 points remains available, meaning Russell is still firmly within mathematical contention despite the scale of the deficit.
Russell’s decision to avoid a Baku grid penalty gives Mercedes the opportunity to attack the weekend without immediately sacrificing track position.
Can Antonelli win the championship in Azerbaijan?
No. Antonelli cannot mathematically secure the 2026 Drivers’ Championship in Baku.
Even if the Italian wins and every rival fails to score, the remaining points after Azerbaijan would be sufficient for Russell and several other drivers to retain a mathematical chance.
Antonelli’s earliest possible coronation is currently the Singapore GP. That scenario would require him to dominate Azerbaijan, the replacement Bahrain round and both the Sprint and Grand Prix in Singapore while Russell scores almost nothing.
A more realistic projection places the decisive moment later in the season. The complete Antonelli championship calculation shows why Baku can strengthen his position without completing the job.
Verstappen targets first 2026 win and outright Baku record
Max Verstappen arrives in Azerbaijan without a victory from the opening 14 races of 2026.
That is his longest winless start to a season since the beginning of his Formula 1 career, but recent results indicate that Red Bull has moved closer to the leading Mercedes. Verstappen has collected five podiums from the previous seven rounds.
Baku also provides a significant statistical opportunity. Verstappen and Sergio Pérez share the Azerbaijan GP record with two wins each. Victory on Saturday would make Verstappen the first three-time winner in Baku and the first driver to win consecutive editions of the race.
The four-time champion’s pursuit of a first 2026 victory begins with FP1 on Thursday.
Strong winds threaten Baku qualifying
Rain is unlikely to define the Azerbaijan GP, but wind could create severe problems during qualifying.
Friday gusts are expected to reach 60–65km/h, with some forecasts indicating peaks closer to 70–80km/h. Baku’s combination of narrow corners, exposed straights and low-downforce set-ups makes sudden changes in wind direction particularly dangerous.
A tailwind can reduce braking stability into Turn 1, while crosswinds may destabilise the cars through the Old City and the rapid final sequence. Slipstreaming could become more powerful on the main straight, but drivers risk arriving at the braking zone at unusually high speeds.
The Baku weather forecast currently places the rain risk at only 10% on Friday. Saturday’s race should take place in warmer and predominantly dry conditions.
The Azerbaijan GP timetable begins with FP1 at 09:30 UK and 04:30 ET on Thursday. Qualifying starts at 13:00 UK and 08:00 ET on Friday, with the race at 12:00 UK and 07:00 ET on Saturday.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
The race starts on Saturday at 12:00 UK, 07:00 ET and 15:00 local time in Baku. Qualifying begins on Friday at 13:00 UK and 08:00 ET.
Why is the Azerbaijan GP being held on Saturday?
The race was moved forward because Sunday, 27 September, is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The full weekend shifted, with practice on Thursday and qualifying on Friday.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 F1 championship in Baku?
No. Antonelli leads George Russell by 81 points, but cannot secure the title in Azerbaijan. Singapore is his earliest mathematical opportunity.
