Safety in Formula One has come so far. The engineers and teams that have worked to improve driver and car safety throughout the course of this series deserve more recognition. After all, it is an engineering contest. It is such a relief to see that Oliver Bearman was able to exit his car after that terrifying crash.
There’s bound to be a storm brewing in the Mercedes home very soon. Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed his second win in a row, after his teammate George Russell looked to be the favorite to dominate the championship. I wonder how the team will manage. Although, I remember a time the silver arrows battled, and it ended in retirement, so we shall see.
Antonelli’s performance was lovely. After losing a few positions off the line, he worked his way back up and dunked 14 seconds on Oscar Piastri’s head. Antonelli is now the youngest championship leader ever. Drink it in: We’re witnessing something special.
I had a sneaking suspicion that when the papaya team finally figured out how to use the Mercedes engine, it could come roaring out — and I was right. Piastri (in what is his first Grand Prix of the season) finished in second. I still feel as though Ferrari has the edge aerodynamically, but the gap is significantly smaller than it originally looked.
I would like to know how Lewis Hamilton, who benefited massively from the safety car and was sitting in third, suddenly had no power.
Moving on swiftly, if you’ve ever wondered what the back of Pierre Gasly’s Alpine looks like, I know just the person to ask: Max Verstappen. Life comes at you fast. Three seasons ago, he won all but three races across the whole season, and now he’s scrapping for points with an Alpine that started last year off as the worst car. The only team in sports having a fall-off worse than Red Bull is Leicester City.
We’ve come to the end of the road, and I have a few things to say:
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye. I hate to go and leave this pretty sight.
Friends, F1 fans, countrymen, lend me your ears. After a fantastic year of writing these recaps, it is time to say goodbye. I am graduating soon, and as excited as I am, I will miss writing these for The Huntington News.
I have no idea how many people read these, but I hope those of you who do have enjoyed them. I know I have. Huge shout-out to my roommate, Keilly, who prompted me to apply for the newspaper. I felt a part of the community, and it has been wonderful to create something I’m proud of. I hope everyone reading this can create something and fully explore the things they enjoy.
A heartfelt thanks to the sports editors, Elli, Siera and Cassandra, and senior reporter Frances, for all your edits and suggestions, but mostly for your encouragement. I hope I can continue this in some way, somehow. But for now, I am Olufolake Okunsanya, crossing the line in P1 and taking the chequered flag.
AloJapan.com