All posts by Adam Tate

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Formula One drivers have finally had enough. On the heels of some of the sports biggest stars criticizing recent moves by Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA, the GPDA: Grand Prix Drivers Association, has released a statement bashing recent decisions which jeopardize the future of the sport, like the recent qualifying fiasco in last weekend’s season opening Australian Grand Prix. According to GPDA chairman, Alex Wurz, the drivers have considered speaking up for some time, and it seems now is finally the moment. It couldn’t have comeRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Not to be outdone by rivals, Audi, Porsche has also unveiled its 2016 WEC challenger in the form of an all new 919 hybrid. Following on the team’s massive success from victory at Le Mans and a World Championship in 2015, Porsche has merely refined their prototype instead of the kind of ground up work rivals Audi and Toyota have undertaken. Despite new fuel flow limits cutting the power of the 2.0 liter turbocharged V4 engine, Porsche still claims the car makes over 900 horsepower. It doesRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Audi has pulled the wraps of its latest World Endurance Championship contender, the latest iteration in the long line of the venerable R18 series. 2016 marks the 6th year of the R18 and it is one of the most comprehensive redesigns Audi has developed to date. After a decade in a half of domination at Le Mans, losing last year to sister company and arch rivals, Porsche was a slap in the face for the crew at Ingolstadt. The fact that Porsche also beat them inRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Haas Formula One Team’s Romain Grosjean has earned F1’s first Driver of the Day award, following his historic sixth place finish in Sunday’s season opening Australian Grand Prix. The sixth place finish marked the first time a new Formula One team has scored on its debut since Mika Salo did so for Toyota in 2002. The fact that Haas as a smaller independent team has achieved a similar result makes it all the more commendable. Despite being significantly helped by the Red Flag break after theRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Nico Rosberg led home a Mercedes one-two finish from Albert Park in what was a madcap start the 2016 season. Despite the typical result of a Mercedes double podium, the circuitous route the race took to its conclusion proved entertaining, terrifying and intense. The plot thickened before the race ever got underway as Daniil Kvyat’s Red Bull succumbed to electrical gremlins by stalling on the way to his grid position. The team ran to remove the car while the rest of the field embarked upon aRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Lewis Hamilton has claimed pole position for the Australian Grand Prix with a stunning 1 minute, 23.837 lap around the Albert Park circuit to reach career pole number 50. It was about the only true excitement of the session as F1’s controversial new qualifying format completely imploded. Q1 had barely begun and the field was immediately thrown into chaos as teams struggled to cope with the elimination countdown clock. Many drivers complained as they were on good laps, but the 90 second countdown clock nullified theirRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor The 2016 Formula One season is finally underway, down under in Albert Park. Despite the soggy start, the excitement of fans world wide cannot be dampened. Before the drivers lay down their cards for qualifying a few hours from now, I will make five bold predictions on some of the more exciting stories of the season. Without further ado…. 5. All teams will score points Gone are the days when a lovable back marker like Minardi could only pray for points. Gone are the days whenRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Sauber’s Technical Director Mark Smith has stepped down according to a press release from the team today. Smith previously worked in F1 for Caterham, Force India, Red Bull, Jordan and Renault. He joined Sauber to lead the technical department in July of 2015. His vacancy in Hinwil leaves Sauber’s Chief Designer Eric Gandelin as interim TD until further notice. Sauber’s statement is below. The Technical Director of the Sauber F1 Team, Mark Smith, has decided to go back to the UK for family reasons. He hasRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Talented Scot Paul di Resta is back in Formula One after after a two year hiatus thanks to Williams Martini Racing, which just signed the 29 year old to replace his former team mate Adrian Sutil as official reserve driver for the Grove based squad. The 2006 European Formula 3 champ and 2010 DTM champ competed in 58 Grand Prix’s for Force India between 2012 and 2013 before being replaced by McLaren refugee Sergio Perez. He then rejoined DTM, where he will continue to compete inRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Manor F1 reserve driver and 2015 GP2 runner up Alexander Rossi took to the wheel of the No. 98 Andretti-Herta Autosport machine for a tough but solid debut in his first IndyCar race during today’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. He finished a lap down in 12th place. A result that perhaps fell somewhat short of expectations, but one that only confirms the quality of Rossi’s talent as a newcomer to IndyCar. A difficult qualifying session saw him struggle on Saturday and start today’s race backRead More