All posts by Joey Barnes

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief AUSTIN, Texas — Lewis Hamilton moved one step closer to capturing a fifth Formula One championship by scoring the pole for the United States Grand Prix following an intense battle during qualifying on Saturday at Circuit of the Americas. Despite a highly-contested fight brought by Ferrari, Hamilton managed squeeze enough pace out of his No. 44 Mercedes to lay down a lap of 1 minute, 32.237 seconds around the 3.426-mile, 20-turn circuit. That time was good enough to edge title rival Sebastian Vettel (No. 5 Ferrari)Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief AUSTIN, Texas – Fernando Alonso will not be participating in the full Verizon IndyCar Series schedule in 2019. However, he is still pursuing a return to the series’ iconic crown jewel race, the Indianapolis 500. The 37-year-old Spaniard shared the confirmation following Formula One qualifying for the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. “In the summertime I was thinking about it, but it was always linked with the team and McLaren. We talked a lot at the beginning of the year what wereRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief AUSTIN, Texas – Sebastian Vettel has been hit with a three-place grid penalty for the United States Grand Prix. The decision came after it was deemed the 31-year-old German didn’t slow sufficient enough pace during a red flag in first practice. The incident came moments after Alfa Romeo Sauber driver Charles Leclerc spun and went off course when, upon rejoining, flung gravel in Turn 9. Steward ruled the Scuderia Ferrari pilot had gone faster than the minimum time allowed in that section of the 20-turn, 3.426-mileRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief AUSTIN, Texas – McLaren Racing will not be fielding a full-time entry in the Verizon IndyCar Series for the 2019 season, but remains keen on the potential of a return in the Indianapolis 500. The confirmation came from McLaren CEO Zak Brown during Friday’s FIA press conference for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. “We’ve taken the decision to not compete on a full-time basis in 2019,” Brown said. “We’re simply not ready yet and very focused on Formula 1. So weRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief McLaren have announced that Coca-Cola has signed on as a partner for the remainder of the 2018 Formula One campaign. The iconic beverage company has a history in the sport, most notably with Lotus in 2012 with its Burn energy drink. “Coca-Cola has a rich history of sponsorship and a record of innovative activations and we are honored the company has chosen to partner with McLaren to explore opportunities in Formula 1,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing. “Formula 1 as a sport is changing,Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Racing Point Force India announced a contract extension with Sergio Perez to remain with the team for the 2019 Formula One Season. The 28-year-old Mexican pilot currently sits seventh in the championship standings, with one podium (Baku) and eight other points scoring finishes through 17 races. “I am very happy to finally announce my future and I’m really motivated for 2019,” Perez said. “Force India has been my home since 2014 and has allowed me to grow as a driver and show my skills on track.Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Since becoming a part of the NASCAR community, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) have fully established themselves as a company dedicated to the growth of the sport. With champions in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr., Toyota have become a manufacturer to deal with at the top level, but they also have put a presence in the upcoming talent, with a focus in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. Our friends from Mobil 1 The Grid satRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The newest and perhaps biggest challenge awaits the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with this weekend’s race on the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course. The ‘Roval’ as it is more commonly referred is the final race of the first round of the Playoffs, which will eliminate the bottom four of 16 drivers. Our friends from Mobil 1 The Grid sat down with Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart to preview the unique challenges of the 17-turn, 2.28-mile circuit layout.Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief A lot goes into the spectacle and allure of Formula 1, including the unique innovation with their showcars for fan event demonstrations. As Aston Martin Red Bull Racing demonstrate, there is an added importance in engine and tire temperature and FLIR Thermal Imagery is the technique used to gain the optimum performance. Our friends from Mobil 1 The Grid sat down pilot Max Verstappen to discuss the challenges.Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sergio Perez endured one of the toughest races of his Formula 1 career in the Singapore Grand Prix. The 28-year-old Mexican started seventh on the grid, but the day quickly became undone after colliding with Racing Point Force India teammate Esteban Ocon on the opening lap. Ocon, who started ninth, was attempting an outside pass in Turn 3 until the pair made contact and it, which caused enough damage to force retirement. The stewards judged it as a racing incident. The day only got worse forRead More