The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was not just another easy victory for Red Bull and Max Verstappen. There were other notable performances on the track that deserve recognition. Let’s take a closer look at some surprising winners and the drivers who may be disappointed after the second round of the 2024 season.
One standout performance was Bearman’s debut in F1. Despite some initial struggles, including a slow start and difficulties overtaking other drivers, Bearman managed to find his rhythm and make crucial moves when needed. He even held off the pressure from Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton in the final laps. It was an impressive display of mental and physical strength, especially considering he only found out he would be driving the Ferrari SF-24 a few hours before practice. This debut sets a promising foundation for his future in F1.
While Verstappen continues to dominate the races, his victories lack the same excitement as his more closely contested wins. It’s not Red Bull’s fault, as they are currently unbeatable on the track. The return of Sergio Perez as a strong second driver only adds to their dominance.
Aston Martin had a disappointing start in the Bahrain GP, but their performance in Saudi Arabia showed improvement. Despite losing a position to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and an incident towards the end of the race, Fernando Alonso should be encouraged by his driving. This proves that Aston Martin can compete in the midfield and dispels initial concerns about race pace.
A Haas, expected to be one of the slowest teams this season, surprised everyone by being competitive in the middle of the pack. Strategic plays and Kevin Magnussen’s sacrifice helped the team secure a point. Furthermore, Haas seems to have solved its tire degradation issues, as its pace remained consistent throughout the race.
On the other hand, Daniel Ricciardo had a disastrous race in Saudi Arabia. His spin in front of Sergio Perez symbolized his struggles against his potential replacement. With Red Bull’s quick decision-making, Ricciardo needs to improve quickly.
McLaren and Mercedes took a risk by staying on track during the safety car period. Unfortunately, this strategy did not pay off, as they lost time battling each other and ended up with worse results than if they had followed conventional strategies.
Magnussen’s creative defense played a crucial role in Haas’ scoring opportunity. He deserves credit for sacrificing his own race for the team’s benefit, even though his own mistakes put him in that position.
Lance Stroll’s race was marred by his own errors, including an early accident and a sarcastic response on the team radio. Although his frustration is understandable, a more appropriate response would be to apologize.
Alpine struggled with pace on a circuit where they expected better results. A gearbox issue before the race added to their overall disappointment. However, this unfortunate situation spared Pierre Gasly from a race at the back of the pack.
© 2024
The thrilling final of the 2024 World Cup took place yesterday at the National Stadium. The match was between the Brazil and Germany national teams, and it was an intense battle from start to finish. Fans packed the stands and cheered at every play of the game.
Brazil opened the scoring in the first half, with a beautiful goal from Neymar. The Brazilian fans went wild and believed that victory was close. However, Germany did not let themselves be discouraged and equalized the game in the second half, with a goal from Müller.
The match remained balanced until the end, with both teams creating goal-scoring opportunities. The Brazilian goalkeeper made spectacular saves, while the Brazilian attack pressed for the winning goal. But the regular time ended in a draw, and the game went into extra time.
In extra time, both teams showed high-level football. The players gave their all on the field and sought victory at all costs. But neither team managed to score the goal that would secure the trophy. The decision went to penalties.
The penalty shootout was thrilling. The Brazilian and German players showed a lot of technique and composure in their shots. In the end, Germany came out on top and won 4-3. It was a painful defeat for Brazil, who fought until the end but could not conquer the title.
Despite the sadness of the defeat, the Brazilian players received recognition and applause from the fans. They showed determination and grit throughout the competition, leaving everything on the field. Brazil may not have won the title, but they showed that they are a strong and competitive team.
The 2024 World Cup was a great success, with exciting games and intense rivalry between the teams. The fans filled the stadiums and had a beautiful celebration. Now, we await the next edition of the tournament, which promises to be even more thrilling.
