Race Weekend Central

Formula 1 Racing News: More About Participants In 2022

Formula 1's Lewis Hamilton congratulates Max Verstappen after 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lars Baron Getty Images

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

Let’s check out the entire driver grid for the ongoing Formula 1 season and how things are going for each team.

Slipstream Saturday: Charles Leclerc Continues Ferrari Resurgence, Takes Pole for Australian GP

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Charles Leclerc on track at the Australian Grand Prix, Prince Albert Park (credit: FIA Media)

After a two-year break, Formula 1 returned to Australia, and Charles Leclerc will start the grand prix from the pole when the lights go out.  In what is shaping up as an early-season duel between Ferrari and Red Bull, or more specifically Charles Leclerc and reigning champion Max Verstappen, the two led the way through …

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F1 Review: Max Verstappen Fights Back for the Win; DNFs Galore at 2022 Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - MARCH 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 and Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving (16) the Ferrari F1-75 battle for track position during the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 27, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool)

Max Verstappen overtook Charles Leclerc in the closing laps of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to earn his first win of the season in a race spelled by two safety car periods.

F1 Midweek: Checking the Sportʻs Pulse with a Season-Opening Roundtable

Formula 1 Testing in Bahrain - Day 1

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 10: Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202203100708 // Usage for editorial use only //

Before the lights go out to start the 2022 Formula 1 season, our writers offer a roundtable to discuss some of the notable storylines. 

Alex Albon Back in Formula 1 in 2022, Joins Nicholas Latifi at Williams

Alex Albon (Photo: FIA Images)

(credit: FIA images)

After a year away from competition, Alex Albon will once again  compete in Formula 1, joining Nicholas Latifi at Williams in 2022, the team announced Sept. 8. Albon replaces George Russell, who’s driving for Mercedes next season. Albon currently is a reserve and test driver for Red Bull Racing. He ran two seasons for Toro …

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Slipstream Saturday: Max Verstappen Wins Pole for the Dutch Grand Prix

Max Verstappen

(Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool)

Max Verstappen ripped off a perfect lap to earn the pole for the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Saturday (Sept 4).  Lewis Hamilton pushed his Mercedes to the edge in an attempt to deny Verstappen’s bid to lead the field at his home GP but came up .038 of a second short.  Valtteri …

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F1 Review: Esteban Ocon Awesome in Hungary; Fernando Alonso Mimics Younger Self

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)

Esteban Ocon benefitted from calamity at the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix and then a major gaffe by Mercedes to earn his first Formula 1 win on Sunday (Aug. 1).  Ocon, however, was not gifted the victory and was forced to hold off Sebastian Vettel for almost the entirety of the race.  Vettel appeared …

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F1 Midweek: The Next Big Pay Drivers?

Formula 1 2021: Austrian GP

RED BULL RING, AUSTRIA - JULY 04: Nikita Mazepin, Haas VF-21 during the Austrian GP at Red Bull Ring on Sunday July 04, 2021 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Andy Hone / LAT Images)

So we all know the story of the Nicholas Latifis and the Lance Strolls, the Nikita Mazepins and the Pastor Maldonados who have frittered away positions on the Formula 1 grid but backed by wealthy benefactors – usually their families/fathers. However, with F1 being a sport reliant on money, as is not a surprising statement, …

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F1 Midweek: Drivers Excited for Return to Monaco After 2020 Absence

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Lewis Hamilton drove an efficient race on his way to his third Monaco GP win (credit: FIA Images)

It’s been two years since Formula 1 last raced in the Principality of Monaco, due to the 2020 Grand Prix being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the most famous grand prix in F1 is back, and the drivers could not be more excited. For some, it’s the return of an old friend. For …

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F1 Midweek: Nicholas Latifi Quietly Proving His Worth at Williams

Nicholas Latifi Williams Racing car, Williams Media

(Photo: Williams Media)

While it’s obvious that George Russell is the start driver at the Williams team, second driver Nicholas Latifi is making a strong case for the first driver promotion once Russell leaves the team. I know what people are going to say, “Oh Latifi is a pay driver, just like Mazepin” and before leaving those comments, …

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