Winner of the Formula E Xangai E-Prix, Mitch Evans, responded to Pascal Wehrlein’s suggestion that team tactics were involved in his victory. Evans, racing for Jaguar TCS Racing, crossed the finish line in first place in the first race of the two-stage weekend in China. After making contact with Wehrlein in the final corners of the last lap, the German accused Evans of deliberately slowing him down to allow his teammate Nick to overtake him. When asked about this accusation, Evans stated: “I believe he is not aware of his actions on the track and then blames others. I was not trying to intentionally block him, but rather positioning my car to give Nick the opportunity to overtake him on the last lap. In turn six, he chose to follow behind me, which opened up the outside line for Nick. This situation occurred multiple times throughout the last lap. Although I understand the limitations of what I could do without making reckless moves, he had a similar incident in Berlin. He tested Nick’s brakes at the apex of turn one and did the same during the race in Berlin with Antonio. Therefore, I don’t think he is in a position to accuse others of such actions, because he himself is not innocent.”
Both Evans and Wehrlein were summoned to the stewards’ office for investigation after the race. However, neither of the drivers received penalties. Evans expressed surprise at being called to the stewards’ office and believed that the situation could have been handled better. He commented: “We will discuss the incident in Berlin. I don’t necessarily need to address it, but I don’t think the decision made was correct in the end. Although they considered our perspectives, I was surprised that I had to appear before the stewards. Honestly, I didn’t feel like I did anything wrong while in the car, and this was confirmed during the meeting with the stewards. Despite racing aggressively, I left enough space for him to stay on track, but he chose to cut the track. It was acknowledged in the stewards’ room that I provided enough space, and he made the decision to cut the track. He was not forced off the track, but still held his position for several laps, putting me at a disadvantage. Not only did he gain a position by cutting the track, but he also saved energy while I had to spend more energy to overtake him again. The fact that all of this was acknowledged by the stewards, but no action was taken, was disappointing from my perspective.”
The Xangai E-Prix marked the first race in the city on a modified version of the Shanghai International Circuit, known for hosting the Chinese Grand Prix. While the first race saw more intense competition among the drivers, the second race, won by Antonio Felix da Costa, followed a more traditional Formula E style. However, Evans, a participant in the event, remained uncertain about whether the track met his expectations and should be included in future calendars.
Given the nature of the Shanghai International Circuit as a permanent facility with a wide layout, it was challenging to predict how the track would behave. This uncertainty was further heightened due to concerns about the impact it would have on the races. Unlike other tracks like Misano and Berlin, the Shanghai circuit had fewer low-speed corners, resulting in a more fluid and fluent track. Although there were still some challenging areas, especially at Turn 10 and the Chicane, where most of the contacts between drivers occurred, the majority of the track consisted of medium to high-speed sections. This design helped minimize the accordion effect commonly seen on other tracks, making it one of the best permanent tracks for close racing.
Despite the improvements, the first race was still quite intense, in Evans’ opinion, and perhaps too extreme. However, the second race proved to be calmer and faster than expected. The reduction of just one lap made a significant difference, resulting in fewer cases of contact between drivers. Although it may not have been as thrilling as the first race, this pattern of extreme and calmer races is typical for two-stage weekends with close racing. Although the balance between the two races was not perfect, the track itself was not very problematic.
Navigating the Shanghai track was a challenging task, especially when trying to achieve the ideal lap. Evans admitted that the car did not feel natural on this track, but it provided a challenging experience for the drivers. They had to deal with various factors, including the weather, the circuit layout, and energy sensitivity, which added complexity to the task of mastering the track.
© 2024
Portugal wins the FIFA World Cup title
The Portuguese national football team made history by winning the title of the 2024 World Cup. With an impeccable campaign, the Portuguese showed their superiority on the field and brought the trophy home.
The journey of the Portuguese team in the competition was marked by great victories and brilliant performances. Under the command of coach Fernando Santos, the players demonstrated an engaging and efficient style of play, leaving their opponents behind.
Highlighting the star Cristiano Ronaldo, who once again showed his genius and leadership on the field. With decisive goals and spectacular plays, the Portuguese forward was crucial for the title victory.
In addition to Ronaldo, other players stood out in the victorious campaign of the Portuguese team. Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and João Félix were key pieces in the team’s tactical scheme, contributing with goals and assists.
The World Cup final was an exciting game, with Portugal facing the Brazilian national team. In a contested and balanced match, the Portuguese managed to score the winning goal in the final minutes, securing the unprecedented title for the country.
The victory in the 2024 World Cup represents a milestone for Portuguese football. With a talented squad and a competent technical team, Portugal showed the world its strength and ability to defeat the best teams on the planet.
The celebration of the victory took over the streets of Lisbon, with thousands of fans celebrating the historic achievement of the national team. The World Cup trophy was displayed to the fans in a grand party, full of joy and emotion.
Now, the eyes are turned to the future of Portuguese football. With a generation of talented players and a solid foundation, the Portuguese national team has everything to continue shining in the coming years and win even more important titles. The football world eagerly awaits the next steps of this winning team.
