Race Weekend Central

Change at Aston Martin F1 as Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer Departs

Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal and CEO, Aston Martin F1, is interviewed

Istanbul Park, F1, GP, Turkey Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal and CEO, Aston Martin F1, is interviewed

Aston Martin announced on Wednesday (Jan 5) that team principal Otmar Szafnauer had left the team.  The surprise move leaves no one in the position as the team focuses on readying the 2022 car.  For now, his duties will be handled by a number of A-M’s leaders until a new principal is appointed. Szafnauer had …

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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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F1 Review: Hamilton and Verstappen Taking Title Drama to Abu Dhabi

2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sunday - LAT Images

2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sunday (credit: LAT Images / Mercedes AMG)

This past weekend, Formula 1 made its first trip to Saudi Arabia to break in the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a street course by the Red Sea designed by Hermann Tilke.  Highlighted as the fastest road course in the world, the narrow lively track provided wild theater for the penultimate race of the season. Lewis Hamilton …

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Williams Racing F1 Founder Sir Frank Williams Passes Away Aged 79

Motor Racing - Formula One World Championship - Bahrain Grand Prix - Practice Day - Sakhir, Bahrain

Frank Williams (GBR) Williams Team Owner. 19.04.2013. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day © XPB Images / Williams Racing

Sir Frank Williams, the longest-tenured team principal in Formula 1 history, spanning over 50 years, passed away today (Nov 28) at the age of 79.  Williams, who had a brief career as a driver, was best known as the founder of Williams Grand Prix Engineering (Williams Racing) an organization he started in 1977 and left …

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F1 Review: Hamilton Rising as Red Bull Undergo a Soap Opera Weekend

F1 Grand Prix of Qatar

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Second placed Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing stands on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit on November 21, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202111210382 //

This past weekend, Formula 1 made its first-ever visit to Losail Internation Circuit in Qatar.  From that information alone, there should have been a good reason to believe that Lewis Hamilton would walk away with the win.  He has made a habit of winning inaugural races and followed this trend after doing so last year …

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F1 Review: Hamilton Brilliant in Brazil; Mercedes Motivation

2021 Brazil Formula 1 Lewis Hamilton waves Brazilian flag Jiri Krenek Mercedes

(Photo: Jiri Krenek via Mercedes AMG F1)

Lewis Hamilton scored his 101st Formula 1 win on Sunday in Brazil.  His stellar performance, starting from tenth and claiming the win, further fanned the fires for the driverʻs championship and closed the gap to Max Verstappen (332.5 – 318.5). The Sao Paulo Grand Prix featured a wonderful battle between the top two drivers, though …

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F1 Review: Max Verstappen Magnificent in Mexico, Lost Opportunities Aplenty

2021 Mexico Formula 1 Max Verstappen Lars Baron Getty Red Bull

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

Max Verstappen failed to earn the pole for the Mexican Grand Prix and it may have been a blessing in disguise. His third-place starting position allowed him to use the slipstream to blow past the Mercedes front row and then steal off into the distance. With P1 secure, he tore away from second-place Lewis Hamilton …

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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 …

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F1 Midweek: F1 Celebrates Stellar Return to the U.S.

F1 made a triumphant return to the U.S. in October 2021 with the U.S. Grand Prix. (Photo: Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 24, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

This past weekend (Oct. 23-24), Formula 1 made its return to the U.S. F1 visited Texas and the Circuit of the Americas for the first time since 2019. Max Verstappen won the 2021 United States Grand Prix in thrilling fashion, holding off Lewis Hamilton over the final six laps, who had closed the gap from …

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F1 Review: Max Verstappen Wins USGP in Commanding Fashion

F1 Grand Prix of USA

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Race winner Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium with NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal during the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 24, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202110250089 // Usage for editorial use only //

Red Bull and Mercedes used different strategies to give their Formula 1 drivers the best chance of winning the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday (Oct. 24). When the checkered flag waved on lap 56, Red Bull and Max Verstappen prevailed, giving him his eighth win of the year and …

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