Race Weekend Central

Slipstream Saturday: Ferrari & Red Bull Lead in Bahrain; New Car Issues Abound

leclerc

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 18: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 18, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202203180427 // Usage for editorial use only //

Ferrari placed its drivers at the front in the first two practices of the Bahrain GP, with Max Verstappen looking to start his title defense off right. Other teams, like Mercedes, McLaren, and Alpine face struggles with the new F1 car.

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. …

Read more

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 …

Read more

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 …

Read more

Slipstream Saturday: FIA Rejects Mercedes Appeal, F1’s Middle Eastern Presence Grows

2021 Qatar Grand Prix, Friday Lat Images

Mercedes on track at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix, Friday (credit: LAT Images / Mercedes AMG)

When the checkered flag falls on Sunday’s (Nov 21) Qatar Grand Prix, there will be only two races remaining in the 2021 Formula 1 season. In previous years, the title has been securely in the hands of Sir Lewis Hamilton by this point. However, Max Verstappen has been resolute in his aim to break Hamilton’s …

Read more

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 …

Read more

Slipstream Saturday: Max Verstappen Sending a Message in Mexico

Max Verstappen paces the F1 field during practice for the Mexican Grand Prix. (Photo: Getty Images)

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 05: Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 05, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202111050806 // Usage for editorial use only //

While NASCAR may be wrapping up its season this weekend, Formula 1 has traveled to Mexico City, Mexico.  The Mexican Grand Prix comprises one of the season’s final five races, and Max Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton by 12 points (287.5 – 275.5) in the driver’s standings after winning the American GP in declarative fashion on …

Read more

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 …

Read more

Slipstream Saturday: Mercedes Tinkering & the Colton Herta Question

Formula One COTA NASCAR 2021

Mercedes on track at COTA, 2021 United States Grand Prix, Friday (credit: LAT Images / Mercedes F1)

Formula 1 is back in the U.S.! After a hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the series has returned and brought with it the drama of a close title battle. While Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen may be stealing the spotlight, that does not mean that the lights are not shining on other parts …

Read more

Slipstream Saturday: Lewis Hamilton Earns Pole, to Start 11th After Penalty

Lewis Hamilton

(Photo: LAT Images via Mercedes AMG F1 Media)

A wild P3, Q1, and Q2 on a somewhat wet racetrack ended with a more ho-hum Q3 at the Turkish Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton qualified on the pole but will start the race in 11th after a 10 place grid penalty due to the Mercedes team installing a new internal combustion engine to their power …

Read more

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’ …

Read more