Azerbaijan Grand Prix: A Nail‑biting Finish for Verstappen and Hadjar

          <img width="1440" height="960" src="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2297245049-1440x960.jpg" class="fullwidth galleryFull" alt="BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - SEPTEMBER 26: Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Third placed Isack Hadjar of France and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 26, 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2297245049-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2297245049-640x427.jpg 640w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2297245049-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2297245049-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2297245049-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2297245049-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2297245049-980x653.jpg 980w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px"/>


          Isack Hadjar (left) is Max Verstappen’s (right) best teammate in quite some time.
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              Credit:
                                  Mark Thompson/Getty Images
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  Isack Hadjar (left) is Max Verstappen’s (right) best teammate in quite some time.

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      Credit:


      Mark Thompson/Getty Images

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Speed Analysis

McLaren endured a difficult weekend. Its shorter gear ratios improve acceleration in slow corners but limit top speed compared with competitors. Under the 2026 regulations, teams must lock in all eight gear ratios (plus final drive) before the season begins, with only a single modification permitted throughout the year. As a result, McLaren recorded the second‑lowest straight‑line speed among the field.

The straight‑line speeds were noticeably lower on the long Baku straight than they were last season. The current hybrid power units can store enough electrical energy for roughly 11–12 seconds of full‑power deployment, supplying about half of the car’s combined 1,005 hp (750 kW). Once the battery is depleted, the car relies solely on its internal‑combustion V6 until the next charging opportunity.

During the race, F1 did not broadcast any real‑time speed or battery state‑of‑charge data for the cars while they were on the main straight. Although F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali previously told *The Race* that fans care only about overtaking moves, not driving style, the series does display battery and speed information in other track sectors, creating an inconsistent presentation.

Oscar Piastri of McLaren appeared poised for a strong result, a welcome prospect for the Australian driver. Starting from third, he overtook Charles Leclerc early to run in second place, maintaining that position until lap 35, when a safety‑car restart allowed Max Verstappen to jump ahead. On the following lap, while being pressured by Isack Hadjar into Turn 1, Piastri locked both front wheels under braking and ran off onto the escape road. The error was uncharacteristic and dropped him out of the points‑scoring positions; he ultimately finished fourteenth.

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