All posts by Joey Barnes

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Kimi Raikkonen is going back to where it all began for him in Formula 1 as he readies for a return to Sauber in a multi-year deal beginning in 2019. The announcement comes moments following Ferrari confirming the 38-year-old Finn’s departure at the end of the year, which also came after confirmation that junior driver and F1 rookie Charles Leclerc will step up from Alfa Romeo Sauber to team alongside Sebastian Vettel next season. A deal The outcome is one that comes full circle for Raikkonen, whoRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Ferrari has announced that Charles Leclerc will step up to replace Kimi Raikkonen for the 2019 Formula 1 season. The 20-year-old Monaco native has put together an impressive rookie campaign for Alfa Romeo Sauber this year, with five results in the points through 14 races, including a career-best sixth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April. “Scuderia Ferrari announces that in the next Formula One racing season, Charles Leclerc will drive for the Team alongside Sebastian Vettel,” a brief statement from Ferrari read. Leclerc took toRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Ferrari has confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen will step down from his current role following the 2018 Formula 1 season. In the midst of his second stint with the Maranello-based squad, the 38-year-old Finn has endured a fair amount of difficulties, having scored zero wins and 23 podiums in 93 races over that span. However, this season has seen a resurgence of sorts with nine podiums through the first 14 events, including a pole and runner-up finish in the most recent round – the Italian Grand PrixRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Fernando Alonso came away with an enjoyable experience after testing an Andretti Autosport Indy car on Wednesday at Barber Motorsports Park. The 37-year-old Spaniard made his Verizon IndyCar Series debut last year in the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, qualifying fifth and leading 27 laps before being stricken with mechanical failure with 21 laps to go. Although he finished 24th, the strong showing was enough to warrant Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honors. To this point, that remains hisRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief McLaren has confirmed that Lando Norris will join the team for the 2019 Formula 1 season. The 18-year-old Brit moves up from his reserve role with the Woking-based squad to replace the departing Stoffel Vandoorne. With the addition of Carlos Sainz, Jr. previously announced, this move completes an all-new driver lineup for the team for next year. Currently second in the FIA Formula 2 championship, Norris is undoubtedly eager for the next step in his young career. “To be announced as a race driver for McLarenRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief McLaren announced that Stoffel Vandoorne will leave following the 2018 Formula 1 season. The 26-year-old Belgian has endured a rough year that has seen him collect just eight points through 13 races, while teammate Fernando Alonso has amassed 44 points over the same span. A veteran of 34 F1 starts to date, Vandoorne first joined the Woking-based squad in 2013 as part of their Young Driver Program and went on to quickly become their test pilot the following year. After winning the 2015 GP2 Series (nowRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief One of the most crucial roles throughout each of the three NASCAR tours is the spotter. The unique position can be the difference for victory or heartbreak. The man on top of the spotter’s stand for the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet, driven by Kevin Harvick, is none other than Tim Fedewa. Our friends from Mobil 1 The Grid sat down the team to discuss ‘NASCAR’s eye in the sky.’Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The step up to the next level of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder can sometimes be steeper than expected. Oliver Askew has been learning that firsthand this year during his inaugural campaign in the Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires. After capturing staggering seven wins, 11 podiums and eight poles in 14 starts en route to the 2017 title in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda – the first rung of the MRTI ladder – with Cape Motorsports, the outside expectations ofRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have announced that it will not field the No. 6 Lucas Oil Honda for this weekend’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park. The decision comes after the horrific crash last weekend at Pocono Racway, which saw driver Robert Wickens severely injured and has since undergone spinal surgery. There are additional injuries to his lower extremities and right arm, but is currently listed in stable condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The team also confirmed that JamesRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The latest medical update from the Verizon IndyCar Series Robert Wickens is set to undergo surgery on Monday evening for a spinal injury sustained in a crash in the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. “An MRI was instrumental in revealing the most appropriate surgical course and Wickens is undergoing surgery Monday evening for a spinal injury,” INDYCAR said in a statement. The previous update on Sunday evening revealed the 29-year-old Canadian was “being treated for injuries to lower extremities, right arm and spine” following theRead More