Race Weekend Central

F1 Midweek: Saying Cheers to 2021 in Roundtable Fashion

Max Verstappen

(Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool)

This week the Frontstretch Formula 1 crew looks back at the 2021 season.  From the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Esteban Ocon’s surprising win to the question of how many races the US should host, they offer their thoughts on many of the year’s top storylines. Favorite moments of the season Caleb …

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F1 Midweek: Examining the Abu Dhabi GP Ending and What To Do Differently

2021 Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Lewis Hamilton start overtakes Verstappen Peter Fox Getty

(Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool)

This week we’ve got a roundtable discussion on the controversial ending to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that saw Max Verstappen benefit from race director’s Michael Masi strange decision-making process.  First calling off having lapped cars unlap themselves, then reversing the decision, then pulling in the safety car without the one-lap grace period all amounted …

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Slipstream Saturday: Max Verstappen Grabs Pole Ahead of Final Race in Abu Dhabi

Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 11, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

The final pole position, and possibly the championship-deciding pole position, went to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who snatched first place by a sizable margin over his title rival Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen got the job done on his first run, picking up a slipstream from his teammate Sergio Perez and setting a blistering 1:22.109 lap time. …

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Slipstream Saturday: Lewis Hamilton on Pole as Max Verstappen Clobbers Wall

2021 Saudi Arabia Formula 1 Lewis Hamilton hugs Valtteri Bottas after qualifying hugging LAT Images

(Photo: LAT Images via Mercedes AMG F1)

Pole position at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix came down to the final corner. Max Verstappen had been on provisional pole, with a lap time of 1:27.653, nearly four tenths of a second up on his title rival Lewis Hamilton. As the clock wound down, Hamilton set a blistering lap time of 1:27.511, snatching …

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Slipstream Saturday: Barcelona Renewed and Young Driver Test Updates

07 RAIKKONEN Kimi (fin), Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN C41, 04 NORRIS Lando (gbr), McLaren MCL35M, action during the Formula 1 Aramco Gran Premio De Espana 2021 from May 07 to 10, 2021 on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Montmelo, near Barcelona, Spain - Photo Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

(Photo: Xavier Bonilla/DPPI via Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN)

There are two races to go in the 2021 season, with the championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen set to go down to the wire, but while fans are still on the edge of the seat over the outcome of this year’s title fight, this week also saw Formula 1 make a major …

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Slipstream Saturday: Valtteri Bottas Takes Pole Position, Lewis Hamilton Slices His Way to 5th in Brazil

Valtteri Bottas Mercedes in Brazil 2021, LAT Images

(Photo: LAT Images via Mercedes AMG F1)

At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Formula 1 ran its final experimental sprint race of the 2021 season, with a 30-minute, 24-lap race deciding the grid order for tomorrow’s (Nov. 14) full-length 71-lap Grand Prix. Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas won the sprint race, coming home ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. His championship rival Lewis Hamilton …

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Slipstream Saturday: Last-Minute Track Construction, End of Andretti-Sauber Rumors

Esteban Ocon from F1 on track at the Hungarian Grand Prix. (Photo: FIA Images)

Esteban Ocon on track at the Hungarian Grand Prix (credit: FIA Images)

There are five races to go in the 2021 Formula 1 season, and the gap between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the top of the driver’s championship is a mere 12 points. Despite Verstappen leading and winning almost twice as many races as Hamilton so far, it seems that everything is still to play …

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Slipstream Saturday: F1 Adds Another Questionable Race with Qatar Grand Prix

2021 Formula 1 Losail International Circuit

(Photo: Losail International Circuit)

Despite the outcry over F1 choosing to race in Saudi Arabia, this week F1 announced yet another race in the Middle East hosted by a country that has come under scrutiny for human-rights abuses. On November 21, F1 will visit Losail International Circuit for the first ever Qatar Grand Prix.

Slipstream Saturday: Lando Norris Takes Shock Pole in Wet Qualifying

Lando Norris, Mclaren Mcl35m Front On

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M front on

The rain arrived early in Sochi, cancelling the third free practice, and while the rain had stopped by the time qualifying got underway, the track was still damp, forcing the drivers to start qualifying on wet or intermediate tires. However, with around five minutes left in Q3, the track began to dry out, and Williams’ …

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F1 Slipstream Saturday: Valtteri Bottas Wins Sprint From 1st, Max Verstappen to Inherit Pole at Monza

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 11, 2021 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

(Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool)

After announcing earlier this week that he will depart from Mercedes at the end of the year, Valtteri Bottas looked like he had a weight off his shoulders, zipping around Monza to claim first place in qualifying and then leading every lap of the sprint race to collect an extra three points for his championship. …

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Slipstream Saturday: Max Verstappen Surpasses George Russell to Take Pole at Spa

Max Verstappen celebrates winning the pole in Spa, Belgium; Formula 1 2021, rainy and wet conditions. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

(Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images, via Red Bull Content Pool)

In changeable conditions, Max Verstappen excelled to take pole position for Sunday’s (Aug. 29) 2021 Belgian Grand Prix for Formula 1 with a lap time of 1:59.765. However, it wasn’t Lewis Hamilton that the Red Bull driver had to beat to pole but George Russell, with the Williams driving looking incredibly comfortable in the wet. …

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Slipstream Saturday: Vettel’s Penalty Stands, Steiner Warns of Too Many Crashes

Sebastian Vettel

(Photo: Aston Martin F1 Media)

Formula 1 is on its annual summer break, with the next race not until Aug. 29 when the Belgian Grand Prix is held at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This allow the usual hectic buzz surrounding F1 to die down a little, and things have been fairly quiet since the teams left Hungary.  One of the questions …

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