NOT SWAPPING Verstappen-Hadjar was correct | NERVOUS but in control George Russell | Baku F1 classic

Baku looked like a snooze fest—until it suddenly turned into one of the most chaotic, revealing races of the season.

George Russell’s control, Max Verstappen’s pressure, McLaren’s self-inflicted damage, and a restart that left everyone arguing: this Azerbaijan Grand Prix had drama, but not always the kind you expected.

Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah break down why the race felt flat for long stretches despite the headline numbers, including a finish separated by just 0.196 seconds. They unpack the race’s unusual rhythm, the “yo-yo racing” that never fully arrived, and why the second half exploded into the Baku chaos fans were waiting for.

Chapters

00:00 Race setup: snooze fest or dramatic finish?

01:07 Why Baku needed a safety car

02:30 George Russell’s controlled win

03:33 Rating the race and the second-half chaos

05:00 Tire strategy and Red Bull’s team orders

08:01 Could Max Verstappen have caught Russell?

11:13 Red Bull’s double podium and momentum

12:47 McLaren’s costly mistakes

15:08 Antonelli’s comeback and the safety cars

16:49 Russell’s win and the Mercedes teammates’ battle

19:13 The chaotic restart and teammate collisions

20:31 Penalties, Colapinto, and Lindblad

22:24 The photo finishes: Verstappen vs. Russell, Lindblad vs. Ocon

23:21 Haas, Williams, and Carlos Sainz’s penalties

26:45 Pirelli’s tire questions

27:42 Final race rating and the closing discussion

In this episode:

- Why George Russell’s win looked calmer than the final margin suggested

- How Max Verstappen made the most of a tricky Red Bull

- Why McLaren’s weekend unraveled through cold tires and driver errors

- How safety cars and restarts shaped the results

- What Baku’s tire behavior could mean for Pirelli and the teams

- The debate over penalties and what should count as a race-ending mistake

- Is this a genuine Baku classic—or a quiet race with an unforgettable finish?

Soumil and Kunal debate the racecraft, strategy, and team decisions behind the result.

Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast for more pre-race and post-race discussions.

Soumil Arora & Kunal Shah discusss the on-track action from the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell's under-pressure win, Max Verstasppen's chase & Red Bull Racing's first double podium since 2024! #F1 #AzerbaijanGP #BakuGP #F1Podcast

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