Lando Norris, from McLaren MCL38, crosses the finish line in 1st place, to the applause of his team on the pit wall.
After completing six races in the 2024 Formula 1 season, we witnessed two occasions where Red Bull’s vulnerability was exposed. In Melbourne, Verstappen inadvertently drove with the handbrake on, allowing Carlos Sainz to claim the first non-Red Bull victory of the season. Similarly, Miami proved to be reminiscent of “mini Singapore 2023” for Red Bull, as their RB20 struggled to find its ideal performance, leaving Verstappen uneasy throughout the race.
The signs of Red Bull’s vulnerability were evident during the Sprint qualifying. Verstappen’s pole position did not come easily, and his advantage over his competitors was noticeably less pronounced. In the Chinese Sprint, he managed a victory with a 13-second lead from fourth place, while in Miami, he was only 3 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, despite starting at the front.
Despite attempts to improve the RB20 by making changes after the Sprint, Verstappen’s pole position lacked conviction, and the race itself proved disappointing for the team. In contrast, McLaren and Lando Norris had a different story to tell at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.
McLaren arrived with significant upgrades to their MCL38, and team principal Andrea Stella boldly claimed that his team was capable of challenging for victories in 2024. From the outset, the Papaya car displayed impressive speed, with even Oscar Piastri, who did not have the full package, showing competitiveness by outperforming Norris in FP1 and Sprint qualifying.
Unfortunately, the Sprint race presented a missed opportunity for Norris as he was taken out due to a chain reaction involving Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Aston Martin, all triggered by Lewis Hamilton’s misjudgment error while trying to exploit a gap. Qualifying was also not smooth for McLaren, with Norris finishing in fifth and Piastri in sixth place. However, the race brought it all together for the team.
Although the Safety Car entry provided an advantage for Norris and McLaren, his pace was already strong before this incident. He skillfully managed the restart, with Verstappen trying to challenge him from behind, and successfully maintained his lead, gradually distancing himself from the Red Bull car, which seemed to lack the necessary speed to keep up, let alone overtake the fleeing McLaren.
Red Bull later revealed that Verstappen’s car had suffered damage after going off track and hitting a cone. However, it is important to note that Norris and McLaren should not be held responsible for the Dutchman’s decision to subject his RB20 to a “crash test,” as he humorously referred to it after the race.
Norris displayed calm and calculated driving, resulting in his well-deserved first victory in Formula 1. This achievement serves as a significant morale boost for both Norris and his team.
Honestly, despite the celebration of Norris’ first win, Stella, who achieved her first win as McLaren team principal, should also be praised. Since taking over from Andreas Seidl as team principal, Stella has led them on an upward trajectory. Although the start of 2024 seemed like a setback compared to 2023, especially with the recent restructuring that saw David Sanchez depart, it was only a minor setback. The McLaren MCL38 showed improved performance under Stella’s leadership. While Zak Brown likes to engage in verbal spats with rivals and celebrate with hugs, Stella exudes calmness and quiet confidence. Stella’s promotion within McLaren is even more impressive, highlighting the success of a diligent worker who delivers results without seeking attention. During Norris’ celebration with his team and Brown in the parc fermé, Stella patiently waited on the sidelines. When her victorious driver spotted her, Norris embraced her with a smile that conveyed their special connection.
In China, Daniel Ricciardo received the new chassis he had requested and immediately outperformed his teammate Yuki Tsunoda throughout the weekend. This advantage continued in Miami, where Ricciardo achieved an impressive fourth place in the Sprint qualifying and defended his position even more impressively in the Sprint race, finishing in fourth place. Meanwhile, Tsunoda finished in 15th and eighth places, respectively. Ricciardo’s strong performance led many to believe that the new chassis had reignited his competitive spirit. However, this proved to be a short-lived illusion. During qualifying, Ricciardo was eliminated in Q1, posting the 18th fastest time, and finished the race in 15th place. On the other hand, Tsunoda qualified in tenth place and secured a seventh place. The status quo was restored. Thus, the enigmatic situation surrounding Daniel Ricciardo persists, and unless he can quickly recover, starting with the Imola race, his future in VCARB and Formula 1 will remain increasingly uncertain.
© 2024
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo made an incredible play during yesterday’s match. The Portuguese player showed all his skill by dribbling past three opponents and scoring a beautiful goal. The crowd went wild with the play and the entire stadium applauded standing up.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for the Italian club Juventus, has been one of the standout players of the season. With his speed and precision, he has been crucial for the team. Additionally, the player has also been praised for his leadership on the field and dedication to training.
This is not the first time Ronaldo has impressed everyone with his skills. Throughout his career, he has accumulated numerous awards and records. His determination and talent have made him one of the best soccer players in the world.
Despite all his achievements, Ronaldo still keeps his feet on the ground. In an interview after the match, he credited his success to hard work and teamwork. The player also expressed his gratitude to the fans for their constant support.
With this amazing play, Cristiano Ronaldo once again proves why he is considered one of the greatest football players of all time. His skill, dedication, and passion for the sport are inspiring to all who watch him on the field. There is no doubt that he will continue to surprise and delight football fans around the world.
