Race Weekend Central

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: Max Verstappen, Miami, Mexico Momentum

2021 Circuit of the Americas Formula 1 Max Verstappen woohoo Peter fox Getty Red Bull

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

Do you smell it? The fresh air? Fresh air. That is what the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship has been for longtime followers of the sport. While Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel have thrown their fair share of effort at Lewis Hamilton through the hybrid era (2014-present), 2021 marks Hamilton’s most serious title fight yet, …

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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 …

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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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Max Verstappen Extends Championship Lead With US Grand Prix Victory

2021 Circuit of the Americas Formula 1 Max Verstappen woohoo Peter fox Getty Red Bull

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

After the Turkish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen retook the championship points lead away from Lewis Hamilton. Heading into the Circuit of the Americas, Verstappen needed to beat Hamilton in Sunday’s (Oct. 24) United States Grand Prix and did so in the most nail biting way possible. After playing the undercut to perfection, Verstappen was able …

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Max Verstappen Breaks Mercedes Streak, Takes Pole at COTA

F1 Grand Prix Of Usa, Max Verstappen

(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Max Verstappen will start on the pole for Sunday’s (Oct. 25) United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. For the seventh time in 2021, Verstappen will share the front row with his championship rival Lewis Hamilton, while Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas claimed the spots behind their respective teammates in …

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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 …

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F1 Midweek: Circuit of the Americas in the Spotlight; Danica Patrick on Sky Sports?

F1 Grand Prix Of Usa, Max Verstappen

(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

After a one-year hiatus owing to the restrictions enacted by Formula 1 regarding travel and COVID-19, the series returns to Texas for the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. This trip is the first in the final half-dozen races of the season and the first of two in North America, with the Mexican …

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F1 Review: Steady & Smooth Valtteri Bottas Wins Wet Turkish Grand Prix

Valtteri Bottas celebrates winning the Turkish Grand Prix, drinking champagne, LAT Images

Valtteri Bottas celebrating his Turkish GP win (Photo: LAT Images via Mercedes AMG F1)

Valtteri Bottas nailed the start of the Turkish Grand Prix and then set sail on his way to claiming his 10th win in Formula 1. Bottas’ last win came at the Russian GP in 2020 and he had struggled through some poor performances in 2021, but after starting from pole, he put together a clean …

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Should NASCAR Be Following Formula 1’s Lead?

NASCAR Female Fan Nashville 2021

Female NASCAR fans, the overlooked demographic (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

I’ve been running into some fascinating surprises over the past few months. Of course, nothing foreshadows these little moments, and, really, they seem to be tangential conversational detours. But what I’ve encountered is that many women are starting to watch Formula 1. As a usual F1 scribe, I love to hear this. Not only does …

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F1 Midweek: Tires & the Turkish Grand Prix; Underwhelming Aston Martin

Lance Stroll Feature

(Photo: Aston Martin Media)

With Formula 1 returning to action this weekend after a rest weekend, there are a number of topics to consider as the teams turn laps in Turkey. The main focus for the weekend will no doubt center on the driver’s championship and the close race between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (246.5 points – 244.5). …

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