Author: quyen1

NASCAR team owner Michael Jordan celebrated his 23XI Racing’s win at Talladega Superspeedway with his driver’s son, Beau, as Tyler Reddick stole the show in the most dramatic of ways at this year’s race.

Footage on X shows Jordan carrying Reddick’s four-year-old son after his team’s surprise win on Sunday, with reporters swarming around the six-time NBA champion to capture his reaction.

The 61-year-old Jordan, who first got involved in racing back in 2020, can be heard telling Beau that his father did a ‘great job’ before asking the preschooler: ‘You going to celebrate?’

‘Yeah!’ replied Beau, as hugs and high-fives among 23XI Racing team members went around.

Reddick ran away with the victory in Alabama, when front-runner Michael McDowell, swerved up and down the track trying to block Brad Keselowski before wounding up crashing with the finish line in sight.

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Michael Jordan celebrated 23XI Racing’s Talladega win with his winning driver’s son, Sunday

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Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Jordan Brand Toyota, crosses the finish line to win the race

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Reddick, his wife, Alexa De Leon, and their four-year-old son, Beau, posing in victory lane

Michael Jordan celebrates his team’s Talladega win with driver’s son

It was a typical Talladega finish – and set off a raucous celebration on pit road with Jordan.

‘This is like an NBA playoff game,’ the Basketball Hall of Famer said in Victory Lane. ‘I’m so ecstatic.’

McDowell, the pole-sitter, was in position to give Ford its much-needed first victory of the year, but his topsy-turvy efforts to block Keselowski – another Ford driver – wound up costing them both.

McDowell spun out, Keselowski had to check up and Reddick sped by to win by 0.166 seconds.

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Jordan, 64, said the dramatic finish to Sunday’s race in Alabama was ‘like an NBA playoff game’

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Reddick celebrates with his car on the track after winning the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500

A pile of cars behind them was taken out, as well. Corey LaJoie’s No. 7 machine slid across the finish line on its side, pinned against the wall in front the massive grandstands.

Reddick climbed out of his No. 45 car and scurried up the fence like Spider-Man.

‘That was crazy, fans,’ he screamed. ‘Chaos. Typical Talladega.’

Keselowski settled for second, failing again to pick up his first win since 2021 at this 2.66-mile trioval in east Alabama.

‘We went to make a move and Michael covered it,’ Keselowski said. ‘We went the other way and had nowhere to go when Michael came back down. It’s just the way this stuff goes.’

Credits: Imago

From the very get-go of the 2024 Chinese GP, Max Verstappen took complete control, taking home his fourth victory of the season. Behind him, however, drivers were scrambling for the positions. The outing got even more frantic after two back-to-back safety cars hindered what the teams had planned, per Verstappen.

The first safety car came out moments after Valtteri Bottas’ retirement on lap 20. All the remaining cars were bunched up close and the safety car was just about to go in on lap 26. A couple of laps later, Kevin Magnussen’s shunt with Yuki Tsunoda saw it come out once again.

Per Motorsport Week, Verstappen said:

“Because of the two Safety Cars, it made it a little bit less fun because you would have seen probably more different strategies between the cars.” 

Verstappen felt that the tire strategies became very predictable after the two SCs. Almost all the drivers fitted in hard tires, except for Fernando Alonso, who ended the race on mediums. Drivers would have had more time and opportunities to engage in wheel-to-wheel battles had the strategies differed because teams would not have lost out on so much time.

Verstappen, however, had a seamless outing. His race-win never looked to be in doubt and he extended his lead at the top of the standings to 25 points.

Max Verstappen’s dominant Chinese GP

Verstappen’s weekend started on a questionable note when he qualified in P4 for the sprint race. But when the lights went out on Saturday, it was evident that his sprint qualifying performance was a small hiccup. In a race that lasted just 19 laps, Verstappen won with a 13-second margin.

In the Grand Prix, Verstappen did not show an ounce of weakness. He started from P1 and dominated the entire outing. The 26-year-old even performed a daring power slide on the last sector during his final lap, showing how confident was of winning.

Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez meanwhile, couldn’t get the better of McLaren’s Lando Norris. The Mexican mustered a P3 finish, behind the Brit to complete another double podium for Red Bull.

Credits: IMAGO / AAP

Daniel Ricciardo was having a fairly decent race in China before a collision with Lance Stroll under the safety car destroyed any hope he had of securing a points finish. Ricciardo was unhappy and didn’t hold back while bashing Stroll after the race. His compatriot Oscar Piastri too, jumped to Ricciardo’s corner and called Stroll out.

Piastri was another victim in the incident involving Stroll and Ricciardo. Stroll hit the back of Ricciardo’s car which led to the Aussie losing control of his and hitting Piastri. The latter, however, didn’t blame Ricciardo. Instead, he feels that the Aston Martin driver was largely at fault. Stroll tried to justify his mistake by stating that the car ahead of him (Ricciardo) braked too hard, but Piastri was having none of it.

“Yes, but everyone else didn’t crash into each other,” said Piastri to Motorsport Total. “You always have to expect it in this type of curve.”

Piastri finished the race in P8 compared to his teammate Lando Norris’ P2 whereas Ricciardo was forced to retire his car. Stroll too, didn’t have a good finish to his race as a 10-second penalty limited him to P16 on the grid. However, Stroll’s teammate Fernando Alonso seemed to be the reason behind Ricciardo “slamming” on the brakes.

Right before the race restarted and the safety car went in, Alonso locked up going into the hairpin. The cars behind him took evasive actions to avoid overtaking the Spaniard and braked. Russell, Piastri, and Ricciardo slowed down quickly enough to avoid contact but Stroll couldn’t.

How Daniel Ricciardo’s feud with Lance Stroll kicked off

After the Chinese GP, Stroll insisted that he wasn’t at fault and termed the incident as “really stupid”. He emphasized that the car ahead of him braked very hard, which is why there wasn’t anything he could do.

Ricciardo didn’t agree and was furious with the Canadian driver after the race. The latter called him an “idiot” on the team radio, and Ricciardo wasn’t too kind while responding to it after the chequered flag was waved.

“I’m doing my best not to say what I want to say. But f**k that guy. And I’m being nice still,” revealed the man from Land Down Under.

Responding to claims that Stroll blamed him, Ricciardo revealed that the Aston Martin driver was not focused on him, but was eyeing the corner instead. That is why he couldn’t react quickly enough and slow down, which would have avoided the unfortunate shunt.

Credits: Imago

Lewis Hamilton’s Chinese GP weekend, which started on a good note with his P2 in the sprint turned out to be a nightmare. He qualified in P18 and struggled to get past the weaker cars on the grid during the race. After the outing, the seven-time world champion admitted to making mistakes that he will never repeat in the future.

Hamilton already won six races at the Shanghai International Circuit previously, so this wasn’t unfamiliar territory for him. His struggles in qualifying were even more baffling because of his good performances in the sprint just a day before. Hamilton, however, had an explanation for the same.

The 39-year-old chose the wrong set-up for his car which ruined his weekend. “I made the wrong decision with the setup. I’m not going to do that again. It’s probably the worst setup I’ve ever had,” said the British driver to Viaplay as per GP Blog.

“I really thought it was the right decision when I made the decision, and it was the worst. The worst. The next race will be better,” he added. Hamilton wants to avoid starting races from a position where he has to overtake more than half the grid to reach the top.

This wasn’t the first time Hamilton complained of a wrong set-up. Per him, he has been trying to tune his car differently before almost every race, making the W15 extremely unpredictable. The Aston Martin and McLaren cars were comprehensively faster and there was little Lewis Hamilton could do to prevent their overtakes.

Where does Mercedes stand?

Mercedes is clearly at a disadvantage when pitted against Ferrari and McLaren. The latter two had a poor start to the 2023 season, but have been on the ascendency every since, bringing the gap closer to Red Bull.

The Ferrari and McLaren drivers are competing for the podium places on a near regular basis. Mercedes on the other hand, is far behind the two aforementioned teams. Before thinking of catching Red Bull, they have to try and play catch-up to Ferrari and McLaren. Even Aston Martin for that matter, seem to have the upper hand over the Brackley-based outfit for now.

Wolff, however, has good news for his team. He confirmed that the Silver Arrows will be bringing an upgrade to the upcoming race in Miami. How much those upgrades will help Lewis Hamilton and Co., remains to be seen.

Credits: IMAGO NurPhoto

Lewis Hamilton’s woes this season continue after another disappointing race at the Chinese GP. A disastrous qualifying session saw him start the race in P18, making things difficult for him but also giving him the chance to make big overtakes. One particular overtake on Nico Hulkenberg caught the attention of many, but Hamilton doesn’t think there was anything special about it.

Hamilton pulled off a splendid move on Hulkenberg as he used the additional pace of his W15 to sweep past the German in a high-speed corner. It was a risky move and any mistake from Hamilton could have resulted in a race ending crash for both parties.

“I’ve done it a million times there, so it wasn’t particularly…I appreciate saying it was creative, but I mean it was pretty straightforward. I mean it was textbook to be honest,” explained Hamilton.

Hamilton’s move on Hulkenberg helped him move to P9, where he finished the Chinese GP. For Hamilton to score points from all the way down in P18, making risky moves like he did on Sunday was vital.

Lewis Hamilton couldn’t play it safe in China

Throughout the Chinese GP race, Hamilton kept complaining about the W15, calling out its pace. He didn’t like the usage of the soft tires, and also expressed his annoyance when he was struggling to overtake the Alpine of Esteban Ocon.

Struggling for pace, the seven-time world champion had no choice but to make audacious moves. They got him up to P8 at one point but after Fernando Alonso pitted for fresher tires towards the end of the race, Hamilton came down a position.

While Hamilton did not have the best of races in Shanghai, he finished second in the Driver of the Day fan pole. The Briton will now hope to have a better race weekend in Miami after arguably his worst start to an F1 season. Hamilton is currently ninth in the standings after five races and has only managed 19 points, seven of which he scored after finishing second during the Chinese GP sprint.

Credits: IMAGO / PanoramiC

Ever since its inception back in 1950, Formula 1 has been an ever-evolving sport. Not only have the cars changed over time but the rules and regulations of the sport have also kept up with changing times. Keeping the tradition alive, the F1 authorities might soon be changing the regulations once again, revamping the points system that is currently in use.

F1 journalist Vincenzo Landino reports on Twitter (now X), that F1 could be discussing a new points system as soon as next year. In an attempt to increase competition in the middle of the pack, points could soon be awarded all the way down to P12. The difference lies from the P8 position in the proposed new system. The driver finishing eighth will get five points, instead of the current four, and one less point each for all drivers from P9 to P12.

Should the new system come into effect, the teams battling in the middle of the field will stand to benefit the most. With more points positions to play for, the smaller teams will have more opportunities to push for a better finish.

Notably, the latest version of the points system has been in place since 2010. An additional point for the fastest lap of the race was added to the system in 2019. Before this system, F1 followed a system where drivers ranking from P1 to P8 were the ones that earned points. Back then, the winner of the race got only 10 points with eight for second place and six for third.

Formula 1 revamped its regulations only a short while ago

While the points system of F1 has remained stable for the last five years, the same hasn’t been the case with the other regulations. The primary aim of the changes has been to bring the competition closer.

But as things stand, it has done nothing but give the advantage to one team and one driver. F1 brought the ground-effect cars into operation at the start of 2022, unaware of the advantage Max Verstappen would gain from it.

The Dutchman has been a dominant force in F1 since 2022, creating one record after another. He created the record for most points in a single season in the same year, earning 454 points alongside winning 15 races apart from two podium finishes.

The next year, he bettered his record by scoring a mammoth 575 points by winning 19 races. Eventually, though, the records ended up costing Verstappen a lot of money. The 26-year-old ended up paying over a million dollars to renew his super license for 2024.

Credits: IMAGO / PanoramiC

Racing in his home Grand Prix for the first time ever, Zhou Guanyu couldn’t really perform as well as he would have liked. However, the Chinese driver was still in for a surprise from the F1 and his home crowd.

To ensure Zhou gets the acclaim of his home crowd, the race organizers reserved a special parking spot for him on the grid. As Zhou parked his car in front of the grandstand, he was met with a huge cheer. Overcome with emotions, the Sauber driver was nearly down on his knees as he fought back tears.

Starting his first-ever home race in P10, Zhou’s car didn’t have the pace to allow him to fight for a better finish. In a race that saw the Safety Car come along twice, the 24-year-old could only manage a P14 finish, meaning his team would leave the weekend empty-handed.

However, that doesn’t mean that Sauber doesn’t have any positives to take away from China. Zhou was able to put his car in Q3 both for the Sprint Qualifying as well as the Grand Prix Qualifying sessions. The results would give a massive boost to Sauber, who experienced much-improved one-lap pace in Shanghai.

Fans react to the surprise planned for Zhou Guanyu

It was a special moment to see Zhou Guanyu be surprised by the race authorities at his home race. Netizens loved the gesture and flooded social media platform X with their reaction to the gesture.

One fan confessed to growing fond of Zhou following the Chinese GP.

Meanwhile, another detailed how Zhou’s reaction had them overcome with emotion.

One user claimed to be incredibly proud of the Chinese superstar.

Several others chimed in to react to the special gesture.

Zhou is the first-ever Chinese driver in F1 but has never had the chance to race in his home country. With Shanghai being his hometown, the urge to race at home was even higher for him. Eventually, on 21st April 2024, the 24-year-old was able to realize his childhood dream of driving in front of his home crowd.

Credits: Imago |
L: Sebastian Vettel R: Ayrton Senna

Many Formula 1 legends leave an impact on the next generation of drivers. For Sebastian Vettel, that was Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian was a class apart and left a lasting impact on Vettel despite his limited racing years. The German’s father was a fan of the Brazilian and the admiration carried forward. The four-time champion even admitted his first memory of Formula 1 was Senna’s first home race win in 1991 when he was 3 years old. Now, Sebastian Vettel has launched limited-edition merchandise to honor his F1 hero.

It all began, as mentioned earlier, thanks to this father. Vettel’s father was a huge fan and instilled the same appreciation from a young age with merchandise like the Senna doll and a small Senna toy car.

However, Vettel only witnessed his idol during a practice session in Hockenheim but never met him as the McLaren legend’s fatal accident happened when he was 7. His admiration grew after he heard stories of a compassionate Senna helping the less privileged in his country.

30 years later, the German is continuing the efforts with a collaboration with the Senna Foundation. He has launched a limited edition t-shirt and balaclava. Retailing at $74 and $73 respectively, the two items are available to purchase on Vettel’s website. Both merchandise read “Senna #Forever” across them painted in his famous red, green, and blue colors.

It’s all to celebrate the legend who lost his life after a fatal accident during the 1994 San Marino GP. The three-time world champion crashed into a concrete barrier from the race’s lead which eventually led to his demise. So, despite an untimely end, the Brazilian legend lives #Forever in the hearts and minds of many.

About Vettel’s endeavor, it is not a one-off as the German has many other activities going on after he retired from F1.

Sebastian Vettel a champion of diversity and sustainability

Sebastian Vettel was one of the few drivers in the circus using his platform for the greater good. Even after his retirement, the German has kept up the effort on various fronts. He made it evident during the 2023 Japanese GP as he installed bee hotels on the Suzuka circuit. Using his influence, he used the entire grid’s support to spread the message for the environment.

Not just bees, the German is also a champion of diversity. He hosted a karting race with 8 young women in Jeddah back in 2021 and is an advocate for women in motorsport. The former Red Bull champion also sported a helmet with rainbow colors supporting the LGBTQIA+ community for equal rights. These are a few areas where Vettel is trying to make a difference.

However, as time passes, we might see him back in the limelight. With the second year on the sidelines after retiring at the end of 2022, Vettel has been seldom linked with a return. Mercedes was an option but those suggestions have subsided. A return with a German team on the grid is always an option. However, so far, it’s all speculation about his return.

Credits: IMAGO / Eibner and IMAGO / NurPhoto

Lewis Hamilton traveling around the F1 paddock on a scooter has become a common sight, and the trend has caught on with other drivers and even team bosses joining in on the act. At the Chinese GP paddock, however, it was 62-year-old Carlos Sainz Sr. who decided to emulate Hamilton, all thanks to Adam Norris.

Adam is Lando Norris’ father and has a good relationship with Sainz Sr. because of the latter’s son’s McLaren stint. Carlos Sainz Jr. and Lando were teammates at McLaren in 2019 and 2020, developing what many consider to be the best friendship on the F1 grid.

Videos circulating on social media show Sainz Sr. trying to drive Adam Norris’ scooter. The McLaren driver’s father is a serial entrepreneur and currently runs Pure Electric, an e-scooter brand.

The Spanish rallying legend had a wide smile on his face as he tried out something new at the Shanghai International Circuit, riding the e-scooter. Lando and Carlos Jr. were last teammates four years ago, but the wholesome moment involving their respective fathers suggests that they have all stayed in touch.

Sainz Jr. is currently driving for Ferrari, and his start to the season has been terrific. However, the Madrid-born driver has to look for another team to represent from 2025 onwards, as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will replace him at the Maranello-based outfit. One person who can help him is his father, Sainz Sr.

How Carlos Sainz’s father can help him

Carlos Sainz’s father is a legend in the world of motorsport. He has connections with several teams in F1, including Audi who will join the grid in 2026. The German company has been reportedly interested in signing Sainz for months now, and a move could be on the cards.

There are complications to a move to Red Bull or Mercedes for Sainz, even though both reportedly have some interest in signing the Spaniard. According to Red Bull boss Helmut Marko, Audi offered Sainz a 3-year deal, which the Milton-Keynes-based outfit won’t be able to match.

If that is the case, Sainz’s move to Audi (who take over Sauber) could be announced in the coming months. However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner insists that his colleague doesn’t know anything about Audi offering Sainz any deal.

David Beckham, the esteemed multi-millionaire and globally recognized sporting icon, has once again captured the public’s attention with his peculiar culinary preferences.

Despite his unfathomable wealth and access to the most lavish gastronomic delights worldwide, Beckham’s recent indulgence in a seemingly ordinary dish has sparked intrigue and admiration.

It’s a testament to his grounded nature and unassuming tastes that he opted for pie and mash, a quintessentially British comfort food, during a private jet journey from the UK to America.

According to reports from The Sun, Beckham’s affinity for this humble dish led him to place a remarkable order from Tony’s Pie and Mash Shop in Waltham Abbey, Essex.

The cost of serving this modest fare onboard the jet skyrocketed from its usual £4.45 to an astounding £1,000, a testament to Beckham’s commitment to his culinary cravings.

David Hulme, the proprietor of On Air Dining, shed light on the extraordinary logistics involved in fulfilling Beckham’s request.

He explained that the intricate process of sourcing, transporting, and clearing security for the pie and mash incurred substantial expenses, contributing to its exorbitant price tag.

Despite the incredulity surrounding the reported cost, Beckham’s close associate revealed instances of him requesting pie and mash during private flights from London, albeit at presumably lower prices.

However, discrepancies in pricing were attributed to the discretion of the plane company rather than Beckham’s personal choices.

A representative for Beckham swiftly dismissed the rumors, labeling them as “complete rubbish,” yet the charming anecdote endures as a whimsical testament to Beckham’s culinary quirks.

At the age of 40, Beckham’s unabashed love for pie and mash continues to resonate with fans, as evidenced by his social media posts celebrating this simple pleasure.

In a world inundated with opulence and extravagance, Beckham’s unapologetic embrace of humble fare serves as a refreshing reminder of his authenticity and connection to his roots.

His nostalgic musings about pie and mash, often accompanied by fond memories of his grandfather, evoke a sense of warmth and familiarity that transcends his celebrity status.

Beckham’s love for pie and mash speaks volumes about his humility and grounded character, endearing him to fans worldwide.

It solidifies his position as not just a sports legend but also a relatable figure who cherishes the simple joys that life has to offer.