Formula Frenzy

 It's the end of break and we're back into full swing at Zandvoort.  Formula 1 The Dutch GP is a fun one! Last year, we saw 47 overtakes in just one 72 lap race.  The circuit at Zandvoort is just over 4 km and there's two DRS zones, one of which is around a corner. And as one presenter said during Free Practice 1 Friday, this track is known for being twisty, turny and tight... You can see where the DRS zones are at below, which is of course where we'll see most of those overtakes.  Formula 1 Our world champ whose home race this is won the Dutch GP last year by just 4 seconds over George Russell, but Mercedes other driver Lewis Hamilton holds the track record from the race in 2021: a 1.11.097 time.  We'll see what happens Sunday. written by: Randi May

We're finally in the weekend after Silly Season and headed toward the Dutch GP, home of our world champ Max Verstappen. Don't know about you but we’re excited!    And so is Max! The Red Bull racer has released a special helmet for his home race and it’s perfect to kick off the second half of the season. As you may recall, the world champ has won the last 8 races this season...  As you can see below, it's pretty classic.  Unfortunately, the race weekend did start out with an unfortunate injury for Daniel Ricciardo-- who was being borrowed on loan from RBR to Alpha Tauri, but now will be out until he heals at least.  This means Red Bull will indeed need to find a new reserve driver for the rest of the 2023 season. We'll keep you updated on who that will be.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Max Verstappen (@maxverstappen1) written by: Randi May

As you may know, it's summer break in the 2023 Formula One season, and while we are sad, we're happy to see our drivers enjoying their well-deserved vacations.  If you've been active on Instagram since our last race in Belgium, you may have seen how active the grid boys have been.  George Russell has been recharging his batteries with well-earned vacation time with his family including his girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt. The Mercedes driver says he's not too experienced with water sports, but gave it a try with some jet-skiing and flyboarding.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by George Russell (@georgerussell63) Our other Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton, and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz have also been enjoying the water on their break.  @carlossainz55 Instagram World champion Max Verstappen was seen enjoying his summer break with his partner Kelly Piquet...  posing in front of a wall with a quote I personally think represents Max's journey to become

This replacement follows news of the team’s principal leaving at the end of the season. What will the future of Alpha Tauri look like?   Right around the time of Silverstone, rumors started to circuit that Alpha Tauri would be replacing Nyck de Vries with a well known man in the sport— Daniel Ricciardo.  Two days after that race, Alpha Tauri themselves confirmed it with a short welcome to Ricciardo on social media.  Many fans and drivers alike are happy to see this honey badger and his big smile back on the grid.  Nyck de Vries posted a statement about the news on Instagram saying he’s grateful for the opportunities he’s had in Formula One. He points to hope for a journey back onto the grid at some point to live out his dream and also says he’s taking a break from social media during this time. Can't really blame him.  @nyckdevries / Instagram During a Pirelli tyre test for Red Bull Racing at Silverstone, Daniel Ricciardo raced a lap at 1:27:415, which could’ve had him in

The Belgian GP this past weekend also included a sprint race... something that's received mixed reactions from the fans and drivers since it's been introduced this season. On Saturday, it was rainy in Spa so everybody started with wet compound tyres and the FIA ruled they’d begin the race on a rolling start.   After 5 laps of formation under the safety car-- and the track mostly cleared up, about half the grid immediately followed into the pit lane to change tyres to intermediate.   Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso did not finish the race after spinning nearly into the wall on one of the turns. The car was fine for the race Sunday… and the birthday boy took it from the fifth row to fifth position for the finish!  In the sprint, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ended up where he started… in first place. He was followed by Mclaren’s Oscar Piastri and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly— two drivers we haven’t seen much on a ‘podium’, even though it was for a sprint.   Congrats all!