With an impressive debut season in Formula 1, Piastri has surpassed fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who is facing difficulties, as the local favorite and now carries his country’s hopes for success in the Grand Prix. And there is no better place to achieve it than at home, also known as Albert Park this weekend.
In his latest column for Unibet, former Formula 1 world champion and McLaren icon Hakkinen predicts positive results for his former team in Melbourne: “McLaren doesn’t have major upgrades planned until May, but Norris and Piastri were at the factory last week, analyzing the data from Bahrain and Jeddah.
“They are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the car, and I anticipate that Oscar will produce something extraordinary at his home circuit. He is highly motivated,” revealed Hakkinen.
Last year, in his home race, Piastri was unable to advance from Q3, but in the race, he showed his determination and resilience by climbing from P16 to P8. This was achieved in a McLaren that was much inferior to the one he currently has in this early stage of the current season.
Hakkinen’s optimism continued: “The great aspect of McLaren is that Oscar and Lando challenge each other, contributing to the team’s ability to maximize their potential. This means that when Oscar arrives in Melbourne aiming for a good result in front of his home crowd.”
“Lando will give his all to ensure that he shines too. A good points finish is within reach, and a podium is possible if Ferrari or Red Bull have a less than perfect weekend,” explained the 55-year-old flying Finn.
In relation to the team hierarchy after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, before the third round in Australia, Hakkinen ventured: “We are only two races into the season, but it is already evident that the 10 teams can be divided into two groups:
“With Red Bull Racing still being the team to beat, it is up to Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin to challenge Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Only one more team has scored a point so far, with Nico Hulkenberg securing a point for Haas with a tenth place in Jeddah,” observed Hakkinen.
Red Bull, with 87 points, currently leads the 2024 Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship after their consecutive victories in the first two races of the season. Ferrari is in second place with 40 points, and McLaren is in third place with 22 points. However, it is still early in this 24-round Formula 1 title race.
Regarding the issues at Mercedes, Hakkinen believes: “For the third year in a row, Mercedes is acknowledging a difficulty with their car, which is unfortunate news for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. We are aware of the challenges involved in solving fundamental problems.
“The team’s goal for this year was to achieve speed and consistency, even though they knew that catching up to Red Bull would be challenging. However, Lewis is expressing a lack of confidence in the car,” explained Hakkinen, who won 20 Grand Prix races.
This weekend, the Australian Grand Prix will be held at Albert Park for the 27th time. The track has its dangers, as there have been several significant accidents at the site over the years, including Fernando Alonso’s impressive crash during the 2016 race.
Therefore, Hakkinen has a message of caution for Formula 1 drivers this weekend: “Albert Park has uneven sections and track conditions evolve throughout the weekend. Regardless of the organizers’ preparations, Formula 1 cars will get faster as they lay down more rubber on the track surface and clear debris.”
“This phenomenon is also observed on permanent tracks, but the low grip in Melbourne can cause problems during practice sessions, and if a driver makes a mistake, the walls are waiting. This suggests that one or two safety cars may be deployed during the Sunday Grand Prix,” Hakkinen concluded.
© 2024
Portugal wins the FIFA World Cup Final
Last Sunday, the Portuguese national football team claimed the FIFA World Cup title in an exciting match against the German team. With a score of 3-2, Portugal secured their victory in the final minutes of the second half, driving the fans crazy.
The game started with an early goal from Germany, leaving the Portuguese worried. However, the Portuguese team did not falter and quickly equalized the game with a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. The match continued evenly, with goal-scoring opportunities for both sides.
In the second half, Germany scored again, taking the lead. But Portugal did not give up and managed to equalize once more with a goal from Bernardo Silva. Tension filled the stadium, with fans from both teams anxious about the outcome.
It was then that, in the final minutes of the game, Portugal scored the winning goal. With an incredible play by Bruno Fernandes, the ball found Diogo Jota’s foot, who did not waste the opportunity and netted the ball. The Portuguese fans went wild, celebrating the title victory.
With this result, Portugal establishes itself as one of the best national teams in the world, showing its strength and skill in football. The team led by coach Fernando Santos demonstrated an excellent performance throughout the competition, overcoming tough opponents and achieving the long-awaited trophy.
Now, the players and coaching staff of Portugal can celebrate this great achievement and be proud to represent the country on the international football stage. The Portuguese fans, who have always been by the team’s side, can also celebrate this historic victory.
The FIFA World Cup is one of the most anticipated and watched sporting events worldwide. The competition brings together the best national football teams from different countries, providing great emotions and memorable games. Portugal’s victory in the final will certainly be remembered in football history.
Congratulations to the Portuguese national team for winning the FIFA World Cup title. May this achievement inspire new generations of players and further strengthen football in Portugal. The country has a lot to celebrate and be proud of this winning team. Long live Portugal!
