Thursday\u2019s F1 news brings an eclectic mix of stories as media day took place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.<\/p>\n
Aside from the teams all finding a new friend in the paddock cat which made its way around Azerbaijan\u2019s capital, there are multiple on-track matters that need tending to.<\/p>\n
F1 news: New FIA Presidential candidate declared<\/p>\n
Swiss racing driver, Laura Villars, has declared a candidacy for the FIA Presidency, though this remains subject to a formal application.<\/p>\n
Villars, 28, would go up against incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem as well as Tim Mayer for the role, and would become the first female candidate to run for the Presidency.<\/p>\n
At this stage, however,\u00a0PlanetF1.com understands no formal application has been made by Villars for the Presidential elections, with Friday 19th September representing the deadline for which to submit one to the FIA for the World Motorsport Council.<\/p>\n
Read more: Surprise declaration for FIA Presidency emerges as time ticks down for formal application<\/a><\/p>\n Max Verstappen responds to Nurburgring outing<\/p>\n In case you haven\u2019t heard (and if not, why not?), Max Verstappen was in GT machinery at the Nurburgring last weekend, and he sat down to talk about it in Baku.<\/p>\n With the requisite licence now gained to race at the \u2018Green Hell\u2019 in future, Verstappen\u2019s name had been floated for a potential run in the circuit\u2019s 24-hour race next year.<\/p>\n That comes with a catch, however.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, it\u2019s very important to be able to do those things [outside F1],\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, how much I can do during an F1 season is a bit tricky.<\/p>\n \u201cIt depends on how next season goes with the new rules. It\u2019s impossible to say now if I can compete in other things outside of that.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: Why Red Bull\u2019s F1 2026 success will determine Max Verstappen\u2019s immediate GT racing career<\/a><\/p>\n Isack Hadjar\u2019s response to Red Bull rumours<\/p>\n Rumoured to be in the running to partner Max Verstappen in 2026, Isack Hadjar is keeping his focus on the here and now, and anything else will sort itself later.<\/p>\n Red Bull is understood to be looking to decide upon its 2026 line-up in the next three races, but Hadjar is not worrying himself with the rumours around him.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care. I really don\u2019t care,\u201d he made it clear to the journalists in attendance.<\/p>\n \u201cI had, like, five days off at home and other things to do than scrolling on Instagram.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: Isack Hadjar addresses Red Bull speculation as 2026 rumours continue<\/a><\/p>\n Antonelli responds to \u2018underwhelming\u2019 verdict<\/p>\n Having had his weekend in Monza declared as \u201cunderwhelming\u201d by Toto Wolff, Kimi Antonelli is looking to bounce back in Baku this time around.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I pretty understand his comment,\u201d said Antonelli.<\/p>\n \u201cMe and Toto, we\u2019re always very open to each other, and we talk to each other quite openly.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it was mainly about the race. Qualifying was actually pretty good, despite the the off in FP2. But then in the race, especially on the hard tyre, I struggled a little bit, and also, I did the mistake on the start. So I think it was mainly related to the race, which I agree on the comment, which wasn\u2019t the best.<\/p>\n \u201cBut as well, I took it with positive, as fuel to do even better for this race weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n