F1 Paddock Weekly — 2026-09-24
The paddock is in Baku this week with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix underway — George Russell topped FP1 while title leader Kimi Antonelli suffered a hydraulic issue in his Mercedes. Off track, Fernando Alonso has made a radical proposal to change F1's controversial 2026 energy deployment rules, and Ferrari face worrying pace deficits in race simulations.
F1 Paddock Weekly — 2026-09-24
Race Weekend Recap
No recent Grand Prix has taken place within the past 24 hours, so the focus shifts to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend now underway at the Baku City Circuit. In Friday's opening practice, George Russell topped the timesheets for Mercedes ahead of Max Verstappen, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli's session was cut short by a hydraulic issue on his Mercedes.
Autosport's Thursday practice analysis describes the sessions as "difficult-to-read," but notes Mercedes set the early pace in both FP1 and FP2 in Baku.
Championship Standings
Drivers' Championship (Top 4)
| Pos | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 292 |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | 211 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 191 |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 186 |
No verified fresh constructors' standings data available for this section — full table omitted.
Paddock Buzz
Alonso's radical proposal. Fernando Alonso has made a "radical proposal" to change F1's controversial 2026 energy deployment rules, according to PlanetF1's Michelle Foster. The report, published this week, frames the two-time champion's intervention as part of the ongoing debate over the new power unit regulations.
Shorter races on the table? The Athletic's Prime Tire newsletter explains reports that F1 could move to shorter race distances, alongside news that Isack Hadjar "is back" — a story generating significant paddock discussion heading into Baku. (Note: published within the permitted 48-hour window.)
Strategy & Technical Insights
Mercedes dominance in race sims. GPBlog's FP2 race pace analysis shows George Russell topping the long-run charts in Baku with a 1:47.960 on mediums, with Antonelli next quickest. Verstappen is close behind on softs, while Ferrari — and Lewis Hamilton in particular — were over a second slower, a "worrying race pace gap" for the Scuderia.
Ferrari third force but lacking speed. ScuderiaFans' practice analysis concludes Ferrari are the "third force" in Baku — behind dominant Mercedes and Red Bull — but the SF-26 "lacks speed in key areas." McLaren, running a major new upgrade package, is reported to be struggling despite the new parts.
What to Watch Next
- Next Race: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku City Circuit, this weekend
- Key Storyline: Can Antonelli recover from his FP1 hydraulic failure and convert Mercedes' race-pace advantage into another win — and can Verstappen or Russell pounce in the streets of Baku?
- Title Battle: Antonelli leads teammate Russell by 81 points (292 vs 211), with Hamilton 101 back in third — the title is Mercedes' to lose, but Russell needs wins and Antonelli bad luck to swing the fight
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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