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: 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. 

Slipstream Saturday: Reverse Grid at the Italian Grand Prix & Max Verstappenʻs Ridiculousness

Ava Ladner
F1 Grand Prix of Italy - Practice

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 09: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 09, 2022 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202209090743 // Usage for editorial use only //

In the states, IndyCar will be concluding their season with a tight championship competition as Will Power leads the field with little guarantee that he will walk away with the big trophy to conclude the season.  In the world of Formula 1, the story is a bit different.  The sport enters its third consecutive race …

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F1 Review: Max Verstappen Closing in on Title No. 2, Ferrari & Alpha Tauri Bring the Dutch Drama

Ava Ladner
F1 driver Max Verstappen's race outfit from the Dutch Grand Prix. (Photo: Getty Images)

ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 04: The race boots, race overalls and winners trophies of Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing are pictured after the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 04, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202209040649 // Usage for editorial use only //

The F1 Dutch Grand Prix brought all the common 2022 storylines, including another Max Verstappen win at one of his home tracks.

F1 Review: Max Verstappen Magnificent in Belgium as Ferrari Flounders … Again

Ava Ladner
F1 Grand Prix of Belgium

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 28: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Second placed Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate with their team after the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 28, 2022 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202208280754 // Usage for editorial use only //

Despite starting 14th, Max Verstappen made his drive look easy and essentially cruised to victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.