After Lando Norris’ historic first win in Formula 1, we decided to rank the debut victories of the 12 drivers on the grid based on their performance. Each driver showcased their exceptional skills and executed their races brilliantly to secure their wins. However, we can differentiate them by analyzing the race execution, the role of luck, and the complexity of the Grand Prix itself.
One of the most unexpected and emotionally charged debut wins of the 21st century was achieved by Pierre Gasly for AlphaTauri. Although Gasly did a commendable job, it was not his best weekend in terms of performance. He lost a better position in qualifying due to an error in his tire strategy, starting in 10th. However, luck was on his side when he pitted just before a safety car period, propelling him to third place. Gasly took advantage of the restart after a red flag caused by Charles Leclerc’s crash, overtook Lance Stroll, and eventually secured the lead when Lewis Hamilton received a penalty. Gasly then displayed exceptional control to win the race.
Esteban Ocon faced the challenge of driving an Alpine intermediate car at the Hungaroring. However, Valtteri Bottas’ collision at the start and Hamilton’s decision not to pit during a restart formation lap gave Ocon the opportunity to take the lead. Ocon drove skillfully, defending against Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin and surviving an undercut attempt. The key to his victory was his teammate Fernando Alonso’s brilliant defense against Hamilton’s pursuit. Alonso’s defense allowed Ocon to maintain his lead for 11 laps and secure a win for Alpine.
Carlos Sainz secured pole position in qualifying, but needed two strokes of luck to win the race. The first stroke of luck came when Max Verstappen, who had a faster race pace, had to stop due to debris damage. The second stroke of luck occurred when Ferrari chose not to pit Sainz during a safety car period, causing him to fall behind his teammate Leclerc. However, Sainz defied team orders to maintain position and managed to overtake Leclerc, winning the race with Ferrari’s approval.
Although Lando Norris drove superbly to secure his first victory, he struggled to maximize the potential of the upgraded McLaren in Miami. He underperformed in both qualifying sessions and had to fight hard to salvage a podium during the race. However, once he had the opportunity to lead after a safety car restart, Norris showcased his exceptional skills and pulled away to claim a well-deserved victory.
Valtteri Bottas’s first victory for Mercedes was notable for two reasons. Firstly, he outperformed his teammate Hamilton by managing the challenging tires. This allowed Bottas to start ahead of Hamilton, securing third place on the grid. Secondly, Bottas made a strong start, an area where he had struggled before. He overtook Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari’s Vettel, establishing control of the race from the beginning.
Charles Leclerc’s first victory was characterized by his dominant performance in terms of maximum pace. He secured pole position with a notable three-quarters of a second advantage over Vettel. Although Hamilton posed a challenge during the race, Leclerc successfully resisted the pressure and maintained his lead. This thrilling victory was dedicated to the memory of Anthoine Hubert, who tragically lost his life in an F2 accident the day before.
George Russell’s first victory came in a sprint race, where he won Saturday’s race starting third on the grid and effectively led from start to finish in the grand prix starting from pole position. Although he briefly lost the lead to his teammate Hamilton, who ran longer, Russell managed to stay in control. A late safety car period added pressure, but Russell drove with precision to secure the win.
Daniel Ricciardo’s first victory came at a time when both Mercedes drivers encountered issues, providing an opportunity for someone else to end their winning streak. Ricciardo’s race was not just about capitalizing on the misfortunes of the Mercedes drivers. He made strategic gains by overtaking his teammate Vettel during the second round of pit stops, and his crucial pass on Sergio Perez’s Force India allowed him to overtake Rosberg with less power and claim the victory.
The first victory for Fernando Alonso was achieved with a dominant performance, breaking the record for the youngest driver to win a grand prix at the time. Starting from pole position, Alonso expected a challenging race, but found himself with a significant advantage from the start. He maintained his lead comfortably and overtook both Schumacher and Trulli on his way to victory, establishing himself and the Renault team as a formidable force in Formula 1.
Lewis Hamilton’s first victory from pole position at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal showcased his exceptional skills. Although he led the race from start to finish, he faced challenges from his teammate Alonso at the first corner and had to navigate through several safety car restarts. Despite the complications, Hamilton held onto his lead and emerged victorious in a chaotic race.
Sergio Perez’s victory required the Mercedes drivers, Bottas and Russell, to encounter issues. After being touched by Leclerc on the first lap, Perez showed remarkable resilience to recover from the back of the pack. With the help of a well-timed safety car period, he executed an effective one-stop strategy and made crucial overtakes to secure the lead. Despite running on worn tires towards the end, Perez managed to withstand a late attack from Russell before clinching the victory.
Max Verstappen’s first victory for Red Bull came under unique circumstances. The collision between Hamilton and Rosberg on the opening lap and a two-stop strategy allowed Verstappen to overtake his teammate Ricciardo and secure the win. At just 18 years old, Verstappen faced immense pressure from veteran Raikkonen, making his victory one of the most notable in Formula 1 history.
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The thrilling final of the Soccer World Cup took place last night at the National Stadium. The match was intense and full of twists and turns, keeping the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the game. In the end, the Brazilian team emerged victorious, claiming the title for the sixth time in its history.
The game started with a strong pressure from the German team, which dominated the field in the first few minutes. However, the Brazilian defense remained firm and managed to prevent Germany from scoring a goal. Gradually, Brazil began to balance the game and created some goal-scoring opportunities.
At the 30th minute of the first half, Brazil opened the scoring with a penalty goal. The crowd went wild and the entire stadium was filled with energy. Germany, however, did not let themselves be discouraged and continued to press. At the 45th minute, they managed to equalize the game with a beautiful shot from outside the box.
In the second half, the game became even more exciting. Both teams sought the goal at all costs, creating opportunities on both sides. At the 70th minute, Brazil scored their second goal, putting themselves ahead on the scoreboard once again. The Brazilian fans were ecstatic, believing in an imminent victory.
However, Germany did not give up and kept fighting. At the 85th minute, they managed to equalize again, taking the game to extra time. The players were exhausted but determined to win. It was a true test of physical and mental endurance.
During extra time, both teams had chances to score the winning goal, but the goalkeepers were impeccable. The game went to penalties, where the Brazilian team proved to be more accurate and won 4-2. The crowd exploded in celebration, filling the stadium with joy and emotion.
The conquest of the hexacampeonato was a historic moment for Brazilian football. The team showed determination, grit, and talent throughout the championship, overcoming adversities and proving to be the best team in the world. The players were welcomed as heroes upon their return to Brazil, where a grand celebration was organized to commemorate the victory.
The 2024 FIFA World Cup will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in history. The games were filled with excitement, surprises, and unforgettable moments. Brazil showed the world that it is a football powerhouse and once again secured its place at the top.