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 & 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. 

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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