Max Verstappen, representing the Netherlands and driving for Red Bull Racing, emerged from the pits ahead of George Russell from Great Britain, who was driving for Mercedes AMG F1, and Oscar Piastri from Australia, who was driving for McLaren. This event took place on June 9, 2024, during the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, Canada, on race day.
According to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen would have emerged as the winner of the Canadian Grand Prix, regardless of whether he was driving a McLaren or a Mercedes. Verstappen secured the victory in an exciting race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which featured a combination of different weather conditions and three different leaders. This win marked Verstappen’s 60th career victory.
However, McLaren driver Lando Norris believes that McLaren “should” have won the race if it weren’t for the uncertainty in the pit wall. Norris was forced to make a pit stop one lap later than his competitors under a Safety Car situation, which impacted his chances of victory.
Meanwhile, George Russell, who started in pole position, initially had control over the proceedings but made several mistakes that caused him to drop to third place as Mercedes made a comeback.
When asked about Verstappen’s chances of winning with both the McLaren MCL38 and the Mercedes W15, Marko confidently stated that Verstappen would succeed in both scenarios. Marko emphasized Verstappen’s ability to have a comprehensive view of the race and the confidence to accelerate when needed. Additionally, Marko praised the team’s strategy, which played a crucial role in Verstappen’s victory.
The Ferrari was identified as the clear favorite for the Canadian Grand Prix due to the superior performance of its SF-24 car when navigating over curbs and bumps. However, the Italian team struggled to find speed and ended up suffering a double retirement, allowing Red Bull to extend their championship lead by 49 points.
Although recent races have exposed Red Bull’s vulnerabilities when going over curbs, Marko, the team representative, acknowledged that the inconsistent form of their rivals is helping in Red Bull’s title defense. He stated, “The championship won’t be a straightforward matter because our car and simulator have certain weaknesses. However, we are diligently working to solve these issues. We always understood that we won’t come out victorious in every race. This benefits us because the other teams are unable to maintain consistency. If everything goes according to plan, Max will be leading the race.”
Despite Ferrari’s disastrous performance, Red Bull failed to fully capitalize on their rivals’ misfortune. Sergio Perez, a driver for the team, suffered elimination in the first qualifying session and retired from the race due to self-inflicted damage. As a result, he received a three-grid position penalty for the next race in Spain. The stewards determined that Perez’s decision to continue racing with a deteriorated rear wing raised safety concerns.
Although Red Bull admitted they wanted to avoid a Safety Car period to protect Verstappen, Marko argued that they were not aware of the extent of the damage to Perez’s car. He stated: “We will not dwell on this anymore; we will accept the three-position penalty. At the time, we did not realize how serious the damages were. The camera angle available to us did not provide a clear view. We wanted Checo to continue because anything was possible in this race, and you never know how much debris will come loose. Other drivers managed to continue racing with more significant parts hanging from their cars. Lewis Hamilton even won a race at Silverstone with three wheels in 2020.”
© 2024
Portugal wins the FIFA World Cup
The Portuguese national football team made history by winning the 2024 FIFA World Cup. Under the guidance of their renowned coach, the team displayed exceptional performance throughout the tournament, surpassing strong opponents and showcasing captivating football.
With a solid defense and a powerful attack, Portugal did not lose a single game in the competition. The highlight of the team was the star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored decisive goals and led the team with mastery. His skill and determination were crucial to the title victory.
The final of the tournament was thrilling, with Portugal facing the Brazilian national team. The game was balanced, with chances for both sides, but it was Portugal who came out on top. With a goal in the final minutes, the Portuguese team secured the victory and the championship trophy.
The victory in the FIFA World Cup is a historic milestone for Portugal. The country takes pride in its national team and celebrates the victory with enthusiasm. The players are welcomed as heroes, and the street celebrations are contagious.
Now, Portugal is preparing to defend the title in the next edition of the World Cup. The team is determined to maintain its high level of play and win more trophies for the country. Portuguese fans are confident and looking forward to more moments of glory in football.
Winning the World Cup is a historic achievement for Portugal and a proof of the talent and passion of Portuguese players. The country is celebrating and proud of its national team. The victory brings joy and hope to all Portuguese fans, who now dream of new achievements in world football.
