The China Mail - Three talking points from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

With at least seven races to go, depending on the survival of the season-ending events in the Middle East, the four-time champion's pace and commitment in his resurgent Red Bull could upset Mercedes' supremacy.

As championship leader Kimi Antonelli showed signs of vulnerability in Baku, even with a 66-point cushion, AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from Saturday's dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix:

- Verstappen remains a force -

Having signed a new contract to settle his future and driving a car that is rapidly improving, Verstappen is chasing a long-awaited 72nd victory.

He has not won since last year's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and is in danger of completing a season winless for the first time since he joined Red Bull 10 years ago.

Given McLaren's inconsistency and Ferrari's recent decline, he and team-mate Isack Hadjar can emerge as the chief threat to Mercedes as the F1 circus flies to Asia for a Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia followed by the Singapore race.

"I was close and it was fun," said Verstappen after a strong drive from eighth on the grid to finish less than two-tenths adrift of Russell. "For most of the race, we were on the wrong tyres because the medium, unfortunately, didn't work like a lot of people expected.

"Once we swapped to the soft, you could see George and I were pulling away. Can we win a race? We'll keep trying, and we'll see what happens!"

Hadjar returned from injury to finish third.

"The car is great," he said. "This weekend it was the second-fastest. I took it easy to avoid the walls and it was my comeback."

"I had the better grip, but honestly I was fine to sit behind Max. Third was my target and I'm satisfied."

With a power unit that the team has developed into one of the strongest, Red Bull could shake up the run-in.

- Briatore ponders Colapinto future -

Alpine team boss Flavio Briatore said he will reflect before deciding what action to take after Franco Colapinto's "rush of blood" crash into his team-mate Pierre Gasly, who then smashed into world champion Lando Norris's McLaren, wiping all three out of the race.

It cost Alpine a solid points haul. Norris called for a one-race ban for Colapinto but race stewards settled for a 10-second time penalty, converted into a five-place grid drop for the next race.

"I feel very sorry for the team and for Pierre and my apologies also go to Lando and McLaren for ruining their race," said Briatore. "I know that Franco has taken full responsibility for it, as he should -- he braked far too late considering the context of the race and the safety car restart. It was a very poor move for a driver of his experience.

"I want to take time to reflect and consider what action should be taken."

The Argentine driver was fortunate to keep his seat this year and Briatore will surely consider alternatives for 2027.

- Russell can press Antonelli -

Kimi Antonelli faces a test of his composure and emotions after Mercedes team-mate Russell ramped up the pressure for the run-in. The 20-year-old Italian's 66-point lead looks solid enough, but Russell returned to winning form with his first 'grand slam' of pole position, fastest lap and leading from lights to flag.

"I never lost faith in myself," said Russell, after his eighth career win. "Even in the tough moments. So I am confident and I've been on the front row of the grid in three of the last four races and had three podiums. I can fight for victory now, week in and week out."

C.Fong--ThChM