Race Weekend Central

By Ava Ladner

As a writer and editor, Ava anchors the Formula 1 coverage for the site, while working through many of its biggest columns. Ava earned a Masters in Sports Studies at UGA and a PhD in American Studies from UH-Mānoa. Her dissertation Chased Women, NASCAR Dads, and Southern Inhospitality: How NASCAR Exports The South is in the process of becoming a book.

F1 Review: Sergio Perez Steals the Show at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Ava Ladner
F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - APRIL 30: Race winner Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates after the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on April 30, 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202304300899 // Usage for editorial use only //

On a sunny, hot day in Baku, Sergio Perez turned up the heat on what looks like a burgeoning title race between him and his teammate and defending champion Max Verstappen.  Perez earned his second win of the season and the sixth of his career as he closed the gap to six points (Verstappen 93 …

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Max Verstappen Avoids the Drama in Australia

Ava Ladner
F1 Grand Prix of Australia MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing (second from left), Second placed Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes (L), Third placed Fernando Alonso of Spain and Aston Martin F1 Team (R) and Rob Marshall, the Chief Engineering Officer of Red Bull Racing (second from right) celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on April 02, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202304020193 // Usage for editorial use only // F1, Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, podium

(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

Max Verstappen strolled back to victory at the Australian Grand Prix two weeks after falling all the way to second place at the Saudi Arabian GP.

F1 Review: Max Verstappen & Red Bull Set the Tone for 2023 in Bahrain

Ava Ladner
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain

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

Max Verstappen dominated the 2023 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix as Red Bull earned a 1-2 finish.

F1 Review: George Russell Notches #1 With Sao Paulo Grand Prix Win

Ava Ladner
2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Saturday- Steve Etherington

2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Saturday - Steve Etherington

George Russell won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday (Nov 13), his first win in Formula 1 and the first win for Mercedes in 2022.  Russell earned the win during the sprint race on Saturday, giving him the pole for Sunday’s GP, and made good, opening with a clean start and rolling from there.  …

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F1 Review: Max Verstappen Makes It Look Easy in Mexico

Ava Ladner
Max Verstappen celebrates after the Grand Prix of Mexico. (Photo: Getty Images)

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 30: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202210310004 // Usage for editorial use only //

Already crowned world champion two races ago in Japan, Verstappen added to his season’s win total at the Mexican Grand Prix, notching his 14th win of the year.

F1 Review: Max Verstappen Unstoppable At United States Grand Prix

Ava Ladner
F1 Grand Prix of USA

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme following the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202210230772 // Usage for editorial use only //

Max Verstappen earned his 13th win of 2022, tying the Formula One record held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel for victories in a season.