<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Formula 1 has no session scheduled for Monday 28 September. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, attention has shifted to what happened in Baku and what those events mean for the next race at Sepang, from grid penalties to the demands of a hot and potentially wet weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A radio exchange between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari<\/a> has brought the team\u2019s Baku strategy back into focus. Hamilton had just passed the pit entry when the Safety Car was deployed. He asked whether Ferrari had seen the incident developing and then discussed tyre choice and the positions he might lose by stopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n George Russell\u2019s Baku victory strengthened his case as a contender, but the Mercedes driver acknowledged the timing of his improvement. In his assessment of the 2026 title fight<\/a>, Russell argued that his current form would have put him in a stronger position had he reached it earlier in the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Franco Colapinto will carry a five-place grid penalty into the Bahrain GP in Malaysia<\/a>. His qualifying result at Sepang will therefore be only the starting point for calculating where the Alpine driver lines up on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lando Norris has also revisited the Baku incident involving Colapinto. The McLaren driver apologised and withdrew his call for a race ban<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Max Verstappen\u2019s starting position could also be affected, but no grid penalty has been decided. Red Bull is analysing his engine<\/a> before determining whether a change that triggers a penalty will be necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cadillac has opened an investigation into Valtteri Bottas\u2019s late crash in Baku. The driver suspects a problem with the car\u2019s systems<\/a>, leaving the team with work to do before the next race weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aston Martin\u2019s lack of speed in Baku has raised questions about its prospects at Sepang. The circuits place different demands on a car, but the scale of the team\u2019s deficit makes its performance in Malaysia a significant test<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conditions may complicate that test for the whole field. Rain risk and a heat index reaching 40\u00b0C<\/a> are part of the early outlook for F1\u2019s return to the Malaysian circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRussell says his strongest form arrived late<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Colapinto faces a five-place grid drop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Verstappen awaits Red Bull\u2019s engine assessment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cadillac investigates Bottas\u2019s crash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sepang offers a different challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n