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. <!--THE END--> - Isack Hadjar outqualifies Max Verstappen and finishes third after returning from a three-race absence. <!--THE END--> - A late-race safety-car sequence transforms a mostly quiet race, with Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Lando Norris all eliminated in one incident. <!--THE END--> - Kimi Antonelli recovers from a qualifying crash and a P16 start to finish fifth. <!--THE END--> - Williams’ approximately 30-kilogram weight reduction helps Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon fight near the points. <!--THE END--> - Jamie Chadwick completes 32 laps in a Williams FW47 at Portimão, becoming the first woman to drive for Williams since Susie Wolff in 2015. <!--THE END--> - Red Bull confirms a long-term deal for Hadjar, including an option securing him for 2027 alongside Verstappen. <!--THE END--> - Cadillac recruits Craig Skinner, Erica Blandin, and Tim Lean to accelerate its technical development. <!--THE END--> - 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 END--> - 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    **Important information**  If you enjoy our podcast and what we do here, please consider giving us a like and follow on your podcast platform of choice. After all, we are an ominous force, and we are EVERYWHERE!!! We are also on Instagram @inductionnoise, Tik Tok and YouTube. Look out for the orange logo with the TURBO and IN on it. If you’d like to get in touch with us for feedback, suggestions or inquiries, you can do so via our email which is [inductionnoise@outlook.com](mailto:inductionnoise@outlook.com)   Thanks for listening 😊