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Ricciardo’s point to prove; Red Bull’s awkward issue
Ricciardo’s point to prove; Red Bull’s awkward issue
There’s been a lot of doom and gloom around Daniel Ricciardo this season, and not totally without warrant. Expectations were high this season that a clean-sheet car would be better allied with his driving style and that, combined with some of last year’s late momentum, we might get the showstopping old-school Ricciardo back. Those expectations haven’t been realised.
There have been some decent performances, but they haven’t come consistently enough to have staved off rumours of his axing before his Instagram intervention last week to emphasise that he intends to see out his contract through to the end of next year.
Of course that doesn’t mean Ricciardo’s settling for the status quo for 18 more months — far from it. And there are reasons to think he can start turning the ship around.
Let’s return to those expectations — that a brand-new car would better suit the Aussie.
There was a logic to it, but it required us to dismiss the idea that Ricciardo might be a relatively slow adaptor to new machinery.
We saw it to an extent at Renault, where his first season was unspectacular. At the time it was easy to write that off as being down to a wayward car, and certainly that was at least partly the case, but Ricciardo’s personal form by the end of his second season was so strong that perhaps his struggles to work with his new package 12 months earlier had been obscured and underestimated.
Are Sergio Perez’s only recently nascent title hopes already cooked?
He’s 57 points off teammate Max Verstappen in the title standings, and he was prevented from slipping to fourth on the table only by Carlos Sainz’s fourth retirement of the season.
His victory in Monaco seems like a distant memory. Since then he’s finished ahead of Verstappen just once, when the Dutchman picked up damage at Silverstone, and he’s been outqualified three times in a row.
Ricciardo’s point to prove; Red Bull’s awkward issue
During his purple patch he lauded the 2022 car for being a better match for his driving style. The Mexican prefers a car with understeer, whereas Verstappen likes a pointy car with a lively rear axle. RBR’s machines had been developed in Max’s direction for years, explaining Perez’s so-so 2021 form.
But this year’s aero rules delivered a field of cars with a tendency to understeer, particularly at low speed, and thus Perez excelled, particularly on the season’s street tracks.
However, since the latest tranche of upgrades brought to the car around the time of the Canadian Grand Prix, that advantage appears to have started slipping away.
“I think the development of the car — I haven’t been as comfortable with it as I was in the beginning, let’s put it that way,” he said. “I think I’ve got some work to do to understand what’s going on.
“It’s just going away from me in terms of how comfortable I was in the beginning.”
Red Bull Racing has denied it has been developing the car to better suit Verstappen, with chief engineer Paul Monaghan noting the team was interested in only making the car faster.
READ MORE: “Bring Him Home”: Fans Go Head Over Heels As New Favorites To Trade For Kevin Durant Is…
“I’m not aware that we have made a deliberate step to make the car less to his liking,” he said, per Autosport. “It’s not easy to make cars go faster, shall we say. And within a fairly constricted set of technical regulations and freedoms, if you find a way to put a bit of pace on, you will often take it.
“Maybe [Verstappen’s] set-up has suited a bit more than Checo. But it’s not as if the car is fixed in terms of its parameters and that Checo can’t then revise the set-up to say it’s to his liking again.”
The team has capitalised on Perez’s early pace to put a decent gap between itself and the unreliable Ferrari team in the constructors standings, but the Britain-Austria double-header was a reminder that both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are capable of scoring heavily when their cars make it to the finish.
At 53 points, the RBR’s constructors championship advantage is far from safe, and the team will need Perez back at his best to secure it after nine long years, even if that means forgetting about his personal title ambitions.
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Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate: Elon Musk voiced out on Assassination Attempts on Donald Trump, 50cent Rant
Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate: Elon Musk voiced out on Assassination Attempts on Donald Trump, 50cent Rant
Donald Trump was attacked at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. A barrage of gunfire set off panic, and a bloodied Trump, who said he was shot in the ear, was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance
Trump’s campaign said the presumptive GOP nominee was doing “fine” after the shooting. The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.
Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks, One attendee was killed and two spectators were critically injured. All were identified as men. The attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981
The attack drew new attention to concerns about political violence in a deeply polarized U.S. less than four months before the presidential election
President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump, was briefed on the incident and spoke to Trump several hours after the shooting. Many Republicans quickly blamed the violence on Biden and his allies, arguing that sustained attacks on Trump as a threat to democracy have created a toxic environment.
Elon Musk twitted to condemn the action
Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate. Either way, the SS leadership must resign. https://t.co/0vYGrj6yuH
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 14, 2024
It’s crazy they didn’t see him in advance from this vantage point?!? https://t.co/4XyuOMYfVT
— Craig Chamberlin (@CraigChamberlin) July 14, 2024
https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1812257391150502372?t=oGfLntavblJs2fBO4V5JXQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1812257391150502372?t=oGfLntavblJs2fBO4V5JXQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/50cent/status/1812281668759109860?t=9znqS3__kyEUWhXiYGjrFw&s=19
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Zeekr 001 Electrifies with a Power Boost: Zhou Guanyu and Kimi Räikkönen Lead the Charge
Experience the silent power of the Zeekr 001 electric vehicle, with upgraded performance, visual enhancements, and support from racing icons. Embrace the future of sustainable driving.
Imagine a world where the roar of an engine is replaced by the silent surge of electricity, propelling vehicles forward with the press of a pedal. This vision is becoming a reality with the introduction of the updated Zeekr 001 electric vehicle (EV), which has recently been certified for sale in China. With its blend of power, innovation, and the endorsement of racing legends, the Zeekr 001 is setting a new benchmark in the EV market.
The Power Within: A Leap in Performance
The latest iteration of the Zeekr 001 brings to the table a new 95 kWh LFP battery pack and an enhanced entry-level powertrain that boasts 415 hp, a significant leap from the previous 272 hp. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant now commands an impressive 778 hp, marking a 234 hp increase. This power upgrade is not just about numbers; it represents a leap towards efficiency, sustainability, and the sheer joy of driving an electric powerhouse. The Zeekr 001’s ability to balance performance with environmental responsibility highlights the evolving landscape of the automotive industry
While the performance upgrades are substantial, the Zeekr 001 also sports minor visual enhancements that signify its evolution. New front and rear bumpers and fresh color options give the vehicle a contemporary edge, appealing to a broader audience. Yet, it’s the optional LiDAR that points to the future, hinting at advanced driving assistance systems and a commitment to safety. These updates, coupled with the anticipated improvements in charging capabilities and multimedia systems, underscore Zeekr’s dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction.
Champions Behind the Wheel
The announcement of Zhou Guanyu as the ambassador and Chief Driving Officer, alongside Kimi Räikkönen’s continued role as Chief Performance Advisor, adds a layer of credibility and excitement to the Zeekr 001. Guanyu, celebrated as the first Chinese Formula 1 driver, brings a unique perspective and expertise to the brand, bridging the gap between racing technology and everyday driving. Räikkönen, with his storied career and championship pedigree, ensures that performance remains at the heart of Zeekr’s philosophy. Their involvement speaks volumes about the brand’s aspirations and commitment to excellence.
Since its launch in October 2021, the Zeekr 001 has found its way into the driveways of 152,064 customers, a testament to its appeal and the growing appetite for electric vehicles. With the refreshed model set to introduce on February 27, anticipation is building for what could be a pivotal moment in Zeekr’s journey and the broader EV landscape. The Zeekr 001, with its blend of power, innovation, and star power, is not just a vehicle; it’s a harbinger of an electrified future, promising a driving experience that’s as exhilarating as it is sustainable.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ended Up on the Wrong Side of the Law, charged with making trouble with two policemen
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ended Up on the Wrong Side of the Law, charged with making trouble with two policemen
NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr. and 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney were recently on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and talked about the Netflix special NASCAR: Full Speed among other things. During their conversation, Dale Jr. opened up about his traffic violations and revealed the interesting encounters that he had with 4 different police officers.
He took a trip down memory lane to remember how he got his first speeding ticket and quipped that he had received not one, but four tickets between the ages of 16 and 18. He told Clarkson, “I had a few issues in the first two years of having my license, from 16 to 18. I got four tickets, and the funny thing about it is, is that it was four different officers who told me they all gave my dad his first ticket, so I don’t know how that is possible.”
Dale Jr.’s father Dale Earnhardt was one of the biggest names in stock car racing since its advent in the 20th century. While it is natural for anyone to be known as having interacted with the legend, Dale Jr. can’t quite put a finger on how four different officers could have given him his first ticket. However, he did have a more important lesson to take away from the tickets he got
“I learned my lesson,” he affirmed. “I haven’t had any problems since then.” Dale Jr. is one of the executive producers of Full Speed. The docuseries has been very well received by drivers and fans since its premiere last month.
READ: “He Actually Hated Me” – Dale Jr Defends His Late Father’s Legacy as He Publicly Trashes Geoff Bodine’s Shocking Accusation
The instantaneous impact that Full Speed has been having on NASCAR
During the last race weekend, several drivers voiced their support for the Netflix docuseries and said that it was helping the sport generate new fans. One of the series main characters, Denny Hamlin said, “I thought it was a very good introduction for new fans. Because they also were kind of teaching you some 101 stuff, like, here’s how this works.”
Xfinity Series racer and Live Fast Motorsports co-owner B.J. McLeod compared it to the Hollywood hit Days of Thunder and mentioned that it had the best potential since the movie to attract new fans. He said, “It’s something that people should see, and I think that it was an unbelievable opportunity for NASCAR to have that on Netflix.”
The docuseries chronicled the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoff run and featured others including Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Ross Chastain, and Dale Jr., himself.
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