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Open Chronicle Motorsports Formula One Magazine

Formula One, beyond the chequered flag.

Race analysis, paddock stories, technical insight, driver profiles, team politics, Grand Prix coverage and the culture surrounding the world’s fastest championship.

Formula One Magazine is Open Chronicle’s dedicated home for Formula 1 coverage. From Grand Prix weekends and championship battles to engineering innovation, team strategy, driver careers and the business of the paddock, this page brings together the stories that define modern Formula One.

2026 Championship Pulse

The title race right now

Updated 26 September 2026 · after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku

Drivers’ Championship

1Kimi Antonelli · Mercedes302
2George Russell · Mercedes236
3Lewis Hamilton · Ferrari199
4Lando Norris · McLaren186
5Charles Leclerc · Ferrari179

Constructors’ Championship

1Mercedes538
2Ferrari378
3McLaren306
4Red Bull Racing261
5Racing Bulls83
Season15 Grands Prix completed
Title LeadAntonelli +66 over Russell
Azerbaijan GP WinnerGeorge Russell
Next RoundBahrain GP · Malaysia
Azerbaijan Grand Prix · Round 15 Complete

Russell converts pole into victory on the streets of Baku

George Russell controlled the 51 lap Azerbaijan Grand Prix from pole position to take victory for Mercedes. Max Verstappen recovered from eighth on the grid to finish second, while Isack Hadjar completed a double Red Bull podium in third.

WinnerGeorge Russell
P2Max Verstappen
P3Isack Hadjar
Follow the 2026 championship →
Next Round · Malaysia

Formula One heads to Sepang

The championship continues from 2 to 4 October with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. After Russell reduced Antonelli's championship advantage in Baku, the title fight enters its final eight Grands Prix.

View the 2026 calendar →
Baku Race Result

Russell wins as Red Bull places two cars on the podium

Russell preserved the lead from pole and controlled the race through the Safety Car period caused by Alexander Albon's crash. Verstappen climbed from eighth to second, while Hadjar completed the podium after a strong Red Bull performance.

1stGeorge Russell
2ndMax Verstappen
3rdIsack Hadjar
Azerbaijan GP · Top 10

Antonelli recovers from 16th to fifth

Charles Leclerc finished fourth ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who recovered eleven positions after his qualifying accident. Lewis Hamilton was sixth, followed by Arvid Lindblad, Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz.

4 · Leclerc · Ferrari5 · Antonelli · Mercedes6 · Hamilton · Ferrari7 · Lindblad · Racing Bulls8 · Ocon · Haas9 · Bearman · Haas10 · Sainz · Williams15 · Bortoleto · Audi
Championship Watch

Russell cuts Antonelli's advantage to 66 points

Antonelli remains the championship leader with 302 points after recovering to fifth in Baku. Russell's victory lifts him to 236 and reduces the gap from 81 points to 66. Mercedes extends its advantage in the Constructors' Championship.

Drivers' LeaderAntonelli · 302
Constructors' LeaderMercedes · 538
Baku Talking Point

Verstappen charges from eighth as Red Bull finds race pace

Verstappen recovered from a difficult qualifying session to finish second, while Hadjar joined him on the podium. The result gave Red Bull two cars inside the top three on the streets of Baku.

RussellVictory from pole
VerstappenP8 to P2
HadjarP3
Technical Focus

Inside Formula One engineering

Follow the technologies reshaping the 2026 cars, from active aerodynamics and hybrid power units to sustainable fuel, tyres, energy management and car design.

2026 Technical Era

Active Aerodynamics

Both front and rear wing elements can change configuration. Corner Mode keeps the flaps closed for greater downforce, while Straight Mode opens them on designated straights to reduce drag and increase top speed. Explore Open Chronicle's growing Formula One engineering library for the systems behind the new generation of cars.

Corner Mode Straight Mode Front Wing Rear Wing Downforce Drag Reduction
Tech & Engineering

The single technical archive for Open Chronicle Formula One. New engineering articles should be assigned to this category so they remain together and are easy to discover from the magazine.

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Open Chronicle Formula One

Latest Formula One Stories

Race reports, technical analysis, driver stories, team developments and long-form features from the Formula One Magazine newsroom.