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![\"Mercedes](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6ab4dd2fc9a729daf1034540jpeg.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks through the paddock ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo\/Darko Bandic)<\/p>\n
That kicked off a run of six races without a podium finish for Piastri, who had to watch the title race become a fight between eventual champion Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n
Antonelli is sounding cautious as he aims to become F1\u2019s youngest-ever champion.<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil you cross that finish line, it\u2019s not over. It\u2019s like tennis, one point at a time, here one race at a time,\u201d he said. \u201cThe sooner it\u2019s over, the better it is. Still a long way and it\u2019s not going to be easy. It\u2019s going to be intense but I\u2019m ready to give my best and to keep having fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are key differences this year. For one thing, Antonelli\u2019s lead is more than double the biggest advantage Piastri had last year. He\u2019s coming off back-to-back wins, not the team orders controversy which was dogging Piastri and Norris a year ago.<\/p>\n
As for Piastri, he says it\u2019s \u201clove-hate in some ways\u201d as he returns to a venue where he won in 2024 and endured a nightmare 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think probably my best race ever has been at this track and probably my worst race ever has been at this track, so always eventful,\u201d Piastri said.<\/p>\n
Antonelli\u2019s title rivals need to bounce back<\/p>\n
The three British drivers behind Antonelli are all trying to recover from disappointing races at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Antonelli\u2019s teammate George Russell all but ruled himself out of the title race after an uncompetitive run to fifth in Madrid, while Lando Norris was left ruing a badly-timed virtual safety car which cost him the win. Lewis Hamilton retired, making it five races off the podium for the Ferrari driver.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to keep fighting every single race until it\u2019s mathematically impossible, but it doesn\u2019t change how I go about my job,\u201d Russell said Wednesday. \u201cThere\u2019s obviously a huge deficit, but it\u2019s not even really a consideration right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Red Bull\u2019s double bet on Isack Hadjar<\/p>\n
Red Bull is backing Isack Hadjar\u2019s health and his potential in the hope the young French driver develops into one of F1\u2019s top talents.<\/p>\n
Hadjar returns for Baku despite saying he still feels pain from the wrist fracture which ruled him out of the last three races. And he has a contract extension to partner Max Verstappen for 2027, too.<\/p>\n
Wrist injuries can have long-term consequences. Lance Stroll rushed back from wrist fractures sustained in a preseason cycling crash in 2023 but ended up missing a race after all in 2025 when he needed a follow-up operation to deal with lingering pain.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.<\/p>\n