All posts by Joey Barnes

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sergio Perez has announced that he will remain at Force India for the 2017 Formula 1 season. The 26-year-old Mexican’s was the center of speculation on his eventual destination for next season, including Ferrari and Haas, but despite several delays with Force India he will return with the team. Bob Fernley, Force India’s deputy team principal, said on Friday that he was confident the details in the deal would be finalized with Perez. Perez’s return to the Silverstone-based squad means that he can continue to addRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sebastian Vettel’s day came to an early end at the first corner of the Malaysian Grand Prix after hitting and sending Formula 1 championship leader Nico Rosberg into a spin, destroying his own car in the process. The 29-year-old German had a blistering start from row three and climbed to the inside of Turn 1 with Max Verstappen on his right. The aggressive move was labeled “crazy” from the Red Bull Racing driver in a near repeat in reverse roles of the Belgian Grand Prix. “IRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Fernando Alonso will take a 15-place grid penalty after McLaren-Honda fitted new power unit components to his car ahead of final practice on Saturday. The 35-year-old Spaniard had already taken a 30-place penalty following a new power unit for Friday’s practice, in which Honda upgraded the engine block and the exhaust in an effort to reduce weight. Originally the plan was to revert to a previous engine for qualifying and the race, but now the team opted to the older engine with a new turbocharger andRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Andretti Autosport have announced that they will extend its current partnership with Bryan Herta Autosports through the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season. The duo came together at the start of this year in an effort to put Alexander Rossi in an Indy car, having seen the payoff after winning the historic 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil back in May before placing 11th in the points standings. “We’re happy to have Bryan back with the team for 2017,” Andretti Autosport team owner Michael AndrettiRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sahara Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley believes that there is a strong likelihood that current driver Sergio Perez will remain with the team for the 2017 Formula 1 season. Perez has been the center of much speculation this season, originally linked as Kimi Raikkonen’s replacement earlier this year at Ferrari until the Italian-squad re-signed the Finn, and now linked to a possible seat at the Haas F1 Team. The 26-year-old Mexican has delayed his plans on several occasions and has recently stated that nextRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Nico Hulkenberg is expecting the tire management situation to make a big impact amid the hot temperatures that will be endured for this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Usually on the schedule at the early part of the Formula 1 season in April, the Sepang International Circuit had its date moved to September to accommodate a major renovation, but the combination of track and date changes add a new and unknown element to the mix for drivers and teams. “It feels strange to be going to SepangRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Less than a week after becoming the Verizon IndyCar Series’ newest champion, it has been confirmed that Simon Pagenaud will carry the No. 1 on his Team Penske Chevrolet next season. Although automatic in some racing circles throughout the world, the ability to move to the No. 1 is at the champion’s discretion in North America’s top open wheel series. The last driver to make the switch was Pagenaud’s teammate, Will Power, in 2014. Tim Cindric, president of Team Penske, confirmed through Twitter that the 32-year-oldRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief SONOMA, Calif. – Helio Castroneves nearly found the top spot in Firestone Fast Six qualifying on Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, but his chance at starting on pole for Sunday’s GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma evaporated at the hands of Team Penske teammate and Verizon IndyCar Series championship leader Simon Pagenaud. The 41-year-old Brazilian, who will start second, has witnessed firsthand the dominance that Pagenaud has displayed – scoring what is now seven poles to match seven podiums and four wins. Castroneves, driver of the No. 3Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Alexander Rossi has enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign in the Verizon IndyCar Series, and recently stated he has taken to it better than originally expected. Entering this season, the 24-year-old Californian was hoping for a full-time race seat in Formula 1, but various circumstances didn’t allow that to happen and he found himself signing with Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian and competing in North America’s top open wheel series. During that time the 2015 GP2 Series runner-up went on to win the 100th Indianapolis 500 presentedRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief MONTEREY, Calif. – Nicolas Dapero took his first career Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires win in the second of a three race tripleheader at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The 18-year-old Argentinian inherited the lead when championship combatants and Team Pelfrey teammates Aaron Telitz and Pato O’Ward made contact in the Andretti Hairpin. Telitz started on pole and led the field to green. As they headed down to Turn 1, O’Ward charged to the outside of his teammate before the duo made contact at theRead More