Episode 169 - F1 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Summary

Teeks breaks down the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, from George Russell’s dominant pole and narrow victory to Isack Hadjar’s standout podium after missing three races. The episode also covers major F1 news, including Jamie Chadwick’s Williams test, Red Bull’s 2027 driver plans, Cadillac’s engineering hires, upcoming power-unit regulations, and the expanded 2027 calendar.

In this episode:

• George Russell takes pole by 0.83 seconds and converts it into his eighth career Grand Prix victory.

• Isack Hadjar outqualifies Max Verstappen and finishes third after returning from a three-race absence.

• A late-race safety-car sequence transforms a mostly quiet race, with Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Lando Norris all eliminated in one incident.

• Kimi Antonelli recovers from a qualifying crash and a P16 start to finish fifth.

• Williams’ approximately 30-kilogram weight reduction helps Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon fight near the points.

• Jamie Chadwick completes 32 laps in a Williams FW47 at Portimão, becoming the first woman to drive for Williams since Susie Wolff in 2015.

• Red Bull confirms a long-term deal for Hadjar, including an option securing him for 2027 alongside Verstappen.

• Cadillac recruits Craig Skinner, Erica Blandin, and Tim Lean to accelerate its technical development.

• Proposed future engine rules include a turbocharged 3.0-liter V8, a simplified 100-kilowatt electric motor, and a target of reducing power-unit weight by 50 kilograms.

• The 2027 calendar expands to 24 races and 10 sprint weekends, including Monaco’s first sprint event.

Timestamps:
01:53 - Teeks hosts solo as Riri is away
02:20 - Jamie Chadwick completes 32 laps in a Williams F1 car
05:43 - Red Bull confirms Isack Hadjar’s long-term future
09:10 - Red Bull’s final major upgrade package of the season
12:32 - Cadillac signs three experienced F1 engineers
14:53 - The proposed 3.0-liter V8 engine regulations
18:18 - Why F1 engines are so different from road-car engines
20:44 - The ambitious 50-kilogram power-unit weight reduction
22:08 - Push-to-pass considered for future overtaking
23:44 - F1 races could be shortened by 15 kilometers
28:24 - Esteban Ocon declares himself a free agent
34:44 - The 2027 calendar adds four sprint weekends
36:31 - Why a Monaco sprint race may not work
40:18 - Potential uncertainty surrounding Middle Eastern races
41:43 - Qualifying begins in Baku
42:11 - Antonelli hits the wall in Q1
44:34 - Williams’ weight reduction improves its qualifying potential
46:29 - Russell dominates qualifying by 0.83 seconds
48:21 - Hadjar outqualifies Verstappen after his return
50:14 - Race penalties before the start
51:22 - Piastri jumps Leclerc at the first corner
52:20 - Hadjar and Verstappen move through the field
54:34 - Hamilton passes Norris as the midfield battle develops
55:53 - Norris locks up and loses more positions
56:22 - Albon crashes and brings out the safety car
57:21 - Colapinto, Gasly, and Norris are eliminated in one collision
58:47 - Antonelli recovers to pass Hamilton
59:33 - Russell beats Verstappen by one tenth of a second
60:32 - Hadjar completes a Red Bull double podium
61:26 - Lindblad beats Ocon by less than one-thousandth of a second
62:21 - Colapinto receives a post-race grid penalty
64:36 - Teeks names Isack Hadjar driver of the day
65:34 - Can Russell close the championship gap to Antonelli?
66:02 - Final thoughts on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

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