F1 Tag

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Renault is back in Formula One as a full time constructor for the first time since 2011. The historic marque launched its new campaign today from Paris where Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn and other VIP’s debuted the stunning RS16 in a temporary black livery. Kevin Magnussen’s place in the team was also confirmed at the launch after much speculation. Magnussen will race alongside Joylon Palmer in an all new line up for the team after Romain Grosjean’s move to Haas and Pastor Maldonado’s recent departure from the sport. Esteban OconRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor Last Friday representatives from all 11 Formula One teams met with Charlie Whiting at Heathrow to finalize the 2017 rule book. It was a spectacular failure and since then the countdown to come to an agreement has begun ticking. A second meeting held this week at Pirelli HQ in Milan saw Pirelli’s chairman Marco Provera and motorsport director Paul Hembery meet with FIA President Jean Todt, Bernie Ecclestone, multiple team bosses and a group of drivers including Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas.Read More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor The recent rumors of Pastor Maldonado leaving Lotus/Renault have been confirmed today. The Grand Prix winner made the announcement via social media with the following statement: “Today with the utmost humility I inform you that I will not be present at the starting grid for the 2016 F1 season. Thanks for all your messages of support, passion and concern for my future.” It has yet to be confirmed if ex-McLaren man Kevin Magnussen will replace him, but sources expect a Magnussen announcement alongside Renault’s launch of theirRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor IndyCar stalwart Chip Ganassi Racing has just signed former Marussia Formula One driver Max Chilton for the 2016 IndyCar season. The move effectively replaces Sage Karam and once again brings Ganassi up to four cars. Chilton will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet alongside Ganassi’s strong line up of current champion and long time team leader Scott Dixon, veteran Tony Kanaan and Charlie Kimball. Chilton who in addition to his two season for F1 backmarker Marussia has also contested GP2, Le Mans and most recently Indy Lights, whereRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Jolyon Palmer has decided to carry the No. 30 for his Formula One career as he enters his rookie season in 2016 with Renault. The Brit joins the grid after spending last season as Lotus’ test driver following a championship winning GP2 season in 2014. Palmer drove in several Friday practice sessions last year with the No. 30  and announced through social media that he will continue to carry that number. I can officially confirm that I will be using number 30 this year. #JP30 #F1Read More

August 9, 1944 – August 1, 1980 Formula Two Champion – 1974 Monaco Grand Prix winner – 1978 Nearly every race fan has a favorite driver. But, with the nature of auto racing having multiple competitors and multiple series, a lot of us have several second-tier or third-tier drivers that we root for just as much as our favorite. For me, as a young person in the 1970s, my “second-favorite” race car driver was a guy named Patrick Depailler. There was a driver named Mario that occupied the number oneRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor With the Venezuelan economy in tatters and his reputation at an all time low, it was only a matter of time before oil giant PDVSA pulled the plug on Pastor Maldonado’s backing. It now appears the writing is on the wall and the F1 rumor mill is going full tilt, pointing directly to ex-McLaren man Kevin Magnussen. With PDVSA’s financial backing run dry, Maldonado’s options to remain in F1 for a sixth season seems slight at best. Meanwhile, Magnussen will be inheriting a lead driver roleRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The Williams F1 team has decided to drop its appeal on Felipe Massa’s disqualification from the Brazilian Grand Prix. Massa finished eighth in his home race, but had the result thrown out by the FIA after his tires were found to be over the maximum temperature allowed on the grid. “Following detailed consideration the team has concluded that despite not agreeing with the exclusion and believing it has sufficient evidence with which to successfully contest the ruling, it will not formally appeal the decision as aRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Alexander Wurz has turned down the opportunity to become Manor F1’s team principal, according to reports. The former F1 driver was approached by owner Stephen Fitzpatrick about the role following the announcement that team boss John Booth and sporting director Graeme Lowdon will depart Manor after this season. Wurz recently announced his retirement from racing, a career that will end after this weekend’s World Endurance Championship round in Bahrain. “After a period of consideration, I have informed Stephen Fitzpatrick that I have taken the decision notRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The FIA has found the tire temperature on the Williams machine driven by Felipe Massa to be over the maximum allowed ahead of the start of the race and as a result have thrown the Brazilian out of his home grand prix. The team plans to appeal the decision. The exclusion will take away Massa’s eighth-place finish and push Romain Grosjean to eighth, Max Verstappen to ninth and Pastor Maldonado to tenth. The Mercedes-powered Williams was found to have a right rear tire temperature measured atRead More