By: Dear Formula1.it friends, the Azerbaijan GP has also come to an end. Baku never disappoints, serving up twists worthy of a thriller, with George Russell rising like a phoenix, a seemingly revived Red Bull and Franco Colapinto at the centre of the headlines: there is certainly plenty to discuss and our opinions can wait no longer. Are you ready? Let’s begin!
Nothing but applause for Mr Grumpy and Red Bull’s super pairing
George Russell does not put a foot wrong (10), taking a thoroughly deserved victory on the streets of the City of Winds, brushing the walls lap after lap and proving it is wrong to write him off in the title race. There was plenty of fear that Verstappen might snatch it in the closing stages, but let us be objective: give Mr Grumpy his due, it was a more than deserved win.
Let us move on to Red Bull’s two bulls: Verstappen lives up to expectations after being let down by his RB22 in qualifying and finishes just a whisker behind Russell (9.5); another podium to add to the collection, while he awaits a victory that has still eluded him this season. The man who really dazzles, though, is Isack Hadjar (9.5), who returns to the track after six weeks out like a genuinely hungry boxer, knocking out his rivals: SuperMax has finally found a worthy team-mate with whom he can take Red Bull back to the top.
Performance wanted
The first serious mistake arrives for good old Kimi (6.5), who gets too greedy in qualifying and damages the car. Called upon to make another recovery drive, he cannot repeat what we saw at Monza, with the Bologna native stopping in fifth place: a more than respectable fightback which does the championship leadership good, but this time George’s pace was simply impossible to match.
On to the unhappy Ferrari, with Leclerc (7-) slipping backwards after taking second in qualifying as though he were driving an Ape Car. The Monegasque’s unmistakable talent is clear even in the closing stages of the race, as he manages to fend off Kimi’s attacks, but there is no denying that the SF-26’s pace is currently leaking from every corner, while Hamilton (6) has returned to lament mode. It is difficult to say what is happening in Maranello, where rumours surrounding the team principal are merely the cherry on an already very sour cake.
Serious slips
On to the offending pile-up: Colapinto (0) destroys, in a matter of moments, not only his record (666 days since his last DNF), but also Alpine’s double points finish, taking out Gasly (N.C) and poor Norris (N.C) in one fell swoop.
None of you would want to be in his shoes, with Briatore truly furious about what happened. Added to that are the hateful comments from the aforementioned Franco “fans”, who ruin anything resembling the terms “passion” or “support”. When will we stop spreading gratuitous hate?
Well, look who is back
Amid the thousand twists and turns, Bearman and Ocon (7) manage to put their Haas cars in the points, with the Frenchman hoping, after such a positive weekend, to find a seat at another team for 2027, given that his own has practically shown him the door.
Another word of praise for the excellent Lindblad (7), back in the points once again (even if he makes a mistake by taking Lawson out), and for Matador Carlos Sainz (7), who returns to the points after months away: has Williams truly reached a turning point after its update package? Finally, a brief thought for Piastri (6-) who, despite the mistake that cost him a podium and a points finish, has at least rediscovered some feeling with his McLaren, with which he had so far only battled in vain.
Another round, same failures
On to Alex Albon (2), who puts his FW48 into the wall, and the Cadillac duo who, even with numerous DNFs, cannot get either car into the top 10; indeed, Bottas even puts his into the wall on the final lap. At Aston Martin, everything is going brilliantly: both Stroll and Alonso follow the race from their comfort-form chairs in the motorhome.
Next stop, Sepang: for Ferrari fans, Malaysia brings back happy memories... But thinking they can be repeated is more a hymn to miracles than a probability.
But, by all means, never say never.
Speak to you very, very soon, my friends,
Your Rompipaddock.
Cover photo in the circle: Wikipedia
Cover photo by Finlay Williams / WHYOUT images
