The victorious streak of Verstappen, which had been intact since Singapore 2023 (a race won by Carlos Sainz), came to an end during the 2024 Formula 1 race in Australia. In the early stages of the race, Verstappen struggled to create distance between himself and Sainz. However, he lost control of his car at Turn 3, allowing Sainz to overtake him at Turn 9. From that point on, Verstappen’s RB20 began to deteriorate, with smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. Eventually, Verstappen was forced to retire from the race and return to the team garage, with flames coming from the right rear brake duct.
Verstappen spoke to Sky Sports F1 about his retirement, explaining that data showed a problem with the right rear brake. He described the experience of driving with a stuck brake as similar to driving with the handbrake engaged. Verstappen acknowledged that, while not ideal, mechanical issues are an unfortunate reality of the sport. He emphasized the importance of understanding why the problem occurred.
During the post-race meeting at Red Bull, Verstappen expressed his disappointment at not being able to finish the race. He highlighted the possibility of such problems arising and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back in the upcoming races. Verstappen praised the car’s performance before the race and remained optimistic for the next race in Suzuka.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner discussed the brake issue that led to Verstappen’s retirement. He confirmed that the problem seemed to be present from the start of the race, causing difficulties for Verstappen and resulting in a fire. Horner stated that the team would investigate the damage and determine the cause of the problem.
Despite his retirement, Verstappen still leads the World Championship standings after three races. Horner acknowledged the frustration felt by Verstappen and the whole team but emphasized the importance of learning from the experience. He praised Verstappen’s kindness and highlighted the valuable lessons that can be taken from the situation.
The second Red Bull car did not perform any better as Sergio Perez, who started in sixth place due to a penalty, had a disappointing race, finishing in fifth. He couldn’t make progress and couldn’t reach the McLarens and Ferrari leaders.
“We simply didn’t have the speed, unfortunately,” expressed the Mexican driver. “It felt like we were struggling from the start. Ferrari and McLaren were clearly ahead of us.
“We couldn’t find the right balance. The track conditions were unique, and we couldn’t find the ideal level of grip throughout the weekend.
“As a team, we lacked speed throughout the weekend,” added Perez. “We were already struggling on Friday and couldn’t figure out how to manage the tires. We need to analyze and improve.
“Even on a circuit like this, similar to Vegas, Ferrari was stronger than us and we couldn’t preserve our front tires,” he pointed out.
When asked if Ferrari would have won regardless of his teammate’s retirement, Perez confidently replied, “Absolutely yes.”
However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner shed some light on Perez’s difficulties at Albert Park. He revealed, “He [Perez] may not be aware, but he suffered some damage and lost significant downforce from the car floor when he overtook Fernando.
“Once this happens, tire degradation worsens. We had difficulties at the end of the stints, which is unusual for our cars. We need to understand why.
“I must congratulate Carlos Sainz today after his surgery. He and his Ferrari team put on a fantastic performance,” Horner concluded.
Despite a challenging weekend in Australia, Red Bull still leads the F1 2024 Constructors’ Championship. However, Ferrari is now just four points behind the reigning champions in second place after their one-two finish in Melbourne.
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Portugal wins Euro 2024 in thrilling final against France
The Portuguese national football team won the Euro 2024 in a thrilling final against France. The game, which took place at Wembley Stadium in London, ended with a 2-1 victory for Portugal.
The match started with France dominating the field and putting pressure on the Portuguese defense. However, Portugal managed to stay strong and gradually balanced the game. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Portugal with a beautiful long-range shot.
France did not give up and continued to press for the equalizer. In the 55th minute of the second half, Kylian Mbappé managed to level the score with a header goal. It seemed like the game would head into extra time, but in the 88th minute, Bernardo Silva scored the winning goal for Portugal, securing the Euro title.
With this victory, Portugal becomes European champions for the second time, repeating their feat from 2016. The Portuguese team showed a lot of determination and grit throughout the tournament, overcoming tough opponents and deserving the title.
Coach Fernando Santos praised the team and highlighted the importance of teamwork. “It was a difficult path, but we managed to overcome all obstacles. I am very proud of my players and the entire staff. They deserve this title,” said Santos.
The Portuguese fans also celebrated the victory with a lot of partying. Thousands of supporters gathered in the streets of Lisbon to celebrate the title and honor the players. The conquest of Euro 2024 represents a great moment for Portuguese football and further strengthens Portugal’s image as a sports powerhouse.
Now, the Portuguese national team is preparing for future challenges, including the World Cup qualifiers. With a talented and determined team, Portugal has great chances of performing well in the upcoming tournaments and continuing to write its history in world football.
