Let's Do The News! (May 17, 2024)

     

                                          

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The NGCP has placed the Visayas grid on yellow alert due to short power reserves. The yellow alert is effective between 3:00PM-4:00PM and 6:00PM and 9:00PM. The peak demand is 2,568MW out of the 2,883MW available capacity.

- China called the Philippines "acting in bad faith" regarding the illegal activities of Chinese diplomatic officials.

- The suspect who shot Slovakian PM Robert Fico is charged with attempted murder. Fico remains in very serious condition after being shot.

- French police killed a man trying to burn a synagogue in Rouen.

- Your first look at the upcoming BMW M5 G90 range.

- Honda plans to launch seven EVs under its 0 Series, maintaining its goal of 100% electrification by 2040.

- Bentley is teasing the all-new Continental GT with a 771bhp electrified V8 powertrain.

- Morgan unveiled the Midsummer, a coach-built vehicle made in collaboration with Pininfarina. Only 50 will be made.

2024 Morgan Midsummer

- 2NE1 reunites for the group's 15th anniversary.

- Brazil is named the hosting nation of the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

- Nickelodeon announced a new Thuundermans spin-off series based on the Paramount+ original movie The Thundermans Return. The original cast members will return.

- The TV series Shogun was renewed for two more seasons, according to reports.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 16, 2024)

    

                                          

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- In his message during his visit to Pag-asa Island, Senate President Migz Zubiri said that the Philippines have experienced verbal challenges from the Chinese Navy. He says "THIS IS THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, IT'S NOT YOURS."

- Former PH President Rodrigo Duterte was mostly accused in the anomalous 42 billion PhP Pharmally deal.

- Transport group Manibela has protested again in front of the LTO office and the LTFRB.

- Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded in an incident after a government meeting near Bratislava. His condition is "life-threatening" after being shot multiple times.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping as the war in Ukraine raises questions about China's ties with Russia.

- US President Joe Biden and Donald Trump have agreed to participate in two televised presidential debates in June and September.

- The O-NE SUPERRACE Championship is adding a new race class in the fifth round of its 2024 season. What is it?

- Mercedes-Benz is reportedly dropping EQ naming for its future EVs and reverting to traditional naming structures similar to its non-EV models.

- Alfa Romeo unveiled the Super Sport special editions of the Giulia saloon and Stelvio crossover.

- Terminator Zero, the Netflix original anime series based on the Terminator franchise, is streaming this August 29.

- Ubisoft announced the cancellation of The Division Heartland game but announced the new Assassin's Creed Shadows game.

- A minor fire broke out on the set of aespa’s pre-recording for M Countdown. It was confirmed that there were no injuries in this fire.

- Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever debut became the most-watched WNBA game since 2001.

- The 2024 NFL schedule features 9 playoff rematches, including 2 in Week 1.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 15, 2024)

   

                                          

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Two China Coast Guard vessels were spotted near the Atin Ito Coalition convoy. Recently, the coalition dropped symbolic markers to mark the start of its civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea.

- A fire broke out at a residential area at Yangco St. Gagalangin Tondo, Manila. According to reports, the five-year-old twins have died in a blaze.

- Senator Bong Revilla has took a medical leave from the Senate.

- Two prison officers were killed in a prison van bust in France. The inmate has escaped and a huge manhunt is underway. The French police demonstrate in solidarity over the death of two colleagues in the bust.

- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cancels his state visits in the wake of the recent Russian attack at the Kharkiv region.

- The United States announced new tariffs on China goods with duties on China-made EVs imported to the US being quadrupled to 100%.

- Palestinians marked the 76th anniversary of Nakba.

- Alex Albon renewed his contract with Williams Racing.

- VinFast unveiled the VF 3, a compact SUV with a 43hp electric motor and a 210km driving range.

- ICYMI: Microsoft will stop supporting the ability to purchase new games, DLC, and other entertainment content from the Xbox 360 Store on the console and the Xbox 360 Marketplace, starting on July 29, 2024.

- Sony Interactive Entertainment named Hideaki Nishino as its new Platform Business Group CEO and Hermen Hulst as its Studio Business Group CEO.

- The new Daredevil TV series, Daredevil: Born Again, is coming to Disney+ this March 2025, according to reports. Charlie Cox will reprise the titular role.

-True Faith vocalist Medwin Marfil is now married to his male partner Mark Angeles.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 14, 2024)

  

                                          

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Former senator Bam Aquino is named as the chairperson of Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino. According to the KNP Facebook post, Bam Aquino is their bet for the 2025 midterm elections.

- Vloggers and social media pages involved in PH President Bongbong Marcos "deep fake" videos are getting complained by the KBP to the PNP-ACG.

- The series of red and yellow alerts at the Luzon and Visayas grids was revealed. The PH Department of Energy and the ERC are facing punishment because there is no regular monitoring of power plants.

- Michael Cohen, the former lawyer of Donald Trump, testifies in the fifth week of the "hush money" criminal trial.

- The migrant-smuggler known as Scorpion was arrested in Iraq after an investigation. Scorpion smuggled thousands of migrants across the English Channel.

- Villagers close to Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia are moved away from their homes as Ukraine's military fights to contain recent Russian incursions.

- Fighting continues in parts of Gaza with clashes reported around Rafah.

- A group of international politicians, named in the trial of the imprisoned democracy activist Jimmy Lai offer to testify as witnesses.

- A high court in Germany upholds a ruling that the intelligence services can investigate the far-right AfD party as a 'suspected extremist' organization.

- ENHYPEN announced its summer comeback with a new album coming this mid-July.

- Ailee revealed to be dating Single's Inferno contestant, Choi Si Hun, according to reports.

- The WNBA has started implementing its regular-season chartering program for the beginning of the 2024 campaign, with the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx flying private for their opening-day games at Connecticut and Seattle, respectively.

- Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder announced her retirement after 24 years guiding the Hawkeyes and 40 seasons overall, including national championship game appearances the past two seasons, making her the winningest women's basketball coach in Big Ten history.

- Miss Teen USA 2023 1st runner-up Stephanie Skinner turned down the Miss Teen USA 2023 title moments after UmaSofia Srivastava resigned from her post. Srivastava resigned from her throne as Miss Teen USA 2023 because her beliefs were no longer in line with the desired path of the Miss Teen USA Organization.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 13, 2024)

 

                                          

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- China is sending a large force against the "Atin Ito Coalition"'s planned civilian mission in Scarborough Shoal. The coalition is unfazed by the heavy Chinese presence in Bajo de Masinloc ahead of the second civilian mission this week.

- The Department of Foreign Affairs is investigating any report of illegal activity by diplomatic officials concerning the alleged audio recording held by the Chinese embassy.

- The PNP Logistics Data Information and Management System is temporarily shut down following the report of a data breach. According to the PNP, the cyber response team of the police has not found any data breach yet.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly replacing his long-standing ally Sergei Shoigu as defense minister.

- Three men are charged with assisting Hong Kong intel service and foreign interference, says London's Met Police.

- Israel honors Memorial Day with silence in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attack that prompted Israel to go to war against Gaza and Hamas.

- Subaru and Toyota are jointly developing four BEV models and strengthening their HEV product lineup. The next-generation e-BOXER powertrain will be installed in the Crosstrek soon.

- Porsche will unveil the 992.2 911 range this May 28th. The updated version will introduce the first-ever hybrid variant.

- Mazda confirms that the next-generation CX-5 will have a Mazda-made hybrid powertrain and the company will launch its dedicated EV platform by 2027.

- The Malaysian leg of the AXCR 2024 season was called off due to security threats and the event will proceed in Thailand.

- The Crayon Shin-Chan and Wonderful Precure anime series will get crossover episodes this weekend. The Wonderful Precure characters will make a guest appearance on this Saturday's Crayon Shin-Chan episode and the exact opposite this Sunday where Shin-Chan makes a guest appearance in a Wonderful Precure episode.

- Girl group NewJeans will make their guest appearance in an upcoming episode of the KBS reality series 2 Days & 1 Night.

TTFN.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Goodyear 400

"Are you not entertained?" That is the question the adverts promoting the Goodyear 400 of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series in Darlington say as this next race will be an entertaining spectacle for NASCAR fans everywhere.

As the green flag waved, the action in Darlington was on. As Kyle Larson dominated Stage 1, Stage 2 saw John Hunter Nemechek spinning at turn 4 on Lap 121, a Lap 129 restart disaster, and a spin by Zane Smith in Lap 163. With Stage 2 belonging to Tyler Reddick, the final stage saw Kyle Busch clipping the wall, and spin by Kyle Larson.

 

Screengrab from NASCAR

As Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick got involved in post-race quarreling, Brad Keselowski won the Goodyear 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The next race is at North Wilkesboro for the NASCAR All-Star Race this May 19.

2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship - Motul Course de Monterey powered by Hyundai N

 The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship continues in WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Motul Course de Monterey powered by Hyundai N. The world's best GTP, GTD PRO, and GTD class cars are racing on this legendary East Coast racetrack, navigating the most demanding corners, including the infamous Corkscrew. This is a challenging work.

Screengrab from IMSA

The Porsche 963, fresh from its recent success in a WEC race in Spa, became a lucky machine for that race weekend as the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 of Mathieu Jaminet and Nick Tandy emerged victorious at Laguna Seca. Its #7 counterpart finished 3rd, behind the #31 Whelen Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-LMDh. In the GTD PRO, the #77 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), famous for its Rexy livery, is the winner, while the GTD class belongs to the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.

The next IMSA event is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix this May 31 to June 1st.

ABB FIA Formula E S10 - Berlin ePrix

Formula E's 10th-anniversary celebration continues in the Berlin Tempelhof for the Berlin ePrix. Because this track gained a new layout for this season, drivers are striving to accommodate themselves in this new version while doing what they do best; battle for the championship.

Screengrab from Formula E

The first part saw the Jaguar driver Nick Cassidy nail his second win of the season while beating the likes of two-time world champion Jean-Eric Vergne and Nissan driver Oliver Rowland. In the final part, meanwhile, Antonio Felix Da Costa is back in victory lane as he defeats Cassidy and Rowland at the finish line.

After Berlin, Cassidy leads with 140 points, 16 points ahead of Wehrlein, and Rowland is in 3rd with 118 points.

The next event of Formula E's 10th-anniversary celebration goes back to where it all began; China. This time, Formula E invades the streets of Shanghai for the Shanghai ePrix this May 25-26.

WRC 2024: Vodafone Rally de Portugal

The 2024 World Rally Championship continues with the Vodafone Rally de Portugal as drivers are going all-out to beat the scorcher of a gravel fest, especially a heated rivalry between Kalle Rovanpera and Sebastien Ogier, who just recently received the Legion of Honour medal from French President Emmanuel Macron last week.

Having proved that Dani Sordo is not out of the game following his Shakedown performance, Thierry Neuville claims early advantage while Takamotor Katsuta tops mid-way, Elfyin Evan's co-driver relying on a cellphone for call notes, and Kalle Rovanpera leads after Friday stages. As disaster hit the leading Toyota drivers, it became an opportunity for Sebastien Ogier to storm his way to the lead.

Screengrab from WRC

After a dramatic weekend in Portugal, Sebastien Ogier became the first to achieve six Vodafone Rally de Portugal victories after winning at the rate of 3:41:32.3, 7.9 seconds ahead of Hyundai driver Ott Tanak. Thierry Neuville completes the podium with a third-place finish.

The next event is the Rally Italia Sardegna this May 30th.

NTT IndyCar Series 2024 - Sonsio Grand Prix

May is the biggest month of the year for IndyCar racing. That's because it's the month of the Indy 500. Before that, the drivers get warmed up on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the Indy 500 is held, for the Sonsio Grand Prix.

The 85-lap road course action in IMS begins with the chaos that sent five cars going off-course followed by heavy contact between Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson. A lap later, Romain Grosjean went off-track during his attack on Santino Ferucci. Lap 20 saw Will Power performing a decent attack on Alex Palou for P10.

Halfway through the race, Alexander Rossi is leading with Fittipaldi and McLaughlin hunting him down. As numerous drivers pitted themselves on Lap 63, Lap 65 saw a caution triggered when Luca Ghiotto spun. With the race having 17 laps to go, Alex Palou tried to fend Will Power and Christian Lundgaard off while in the lead but a lap later saw Josef Newgarden and Jack Harvey colliding while Rasmussen went off track.

Screengrab from IndyCar

The Sonsio Grand Prix in IMS Road Course ends with Alex Palou nailing his 10th career victory after beating the likes of Will Power and Christian Lundgaard.

Post-race, Palou leads with 152 points, 12 points ahead of Will Power, while Scott Dixon is in 3rd with 127 points.

The next race is the biggest IndyCar race of all, the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. It's happening this May 26th, 2024. Don't miss it!

FIA WEC S12 - TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps

The 12th season of the FIA World Endurance Championship continues with the most grueling take on Spa Day, the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. From intense clashes to horrifying crashes, this endurance race brought an extremely new meaning to Spa Day.

Screengrab from WEC

For the first time ever since the beginning of the Hypercar era of WEC, a privateer Hypercar-class team took the checkered flag as the #12 Hertz Team JOTA 963 brought down the #6 Porsche Penske 963 and the #50 Ferrari AF Corse 499P to win the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. In the LMGT3 class, meanwhile, the #91 Manthey EMA 911 GT3R is the winner, beating the likes of the #92 Manthey PureRXCing 911 GT3R and the #60 Iron Lynx Huracan LMGT3 Evo2.

After Spa, Porsche leads the Hypercar class with 38 points, 15 points ahead of Toyota Gazoo Racing. In the LMGT3 class, meanwhile, the #91 Manthey PureRXCing leads with 38 points.

The next event is the greatest endurance race of all, the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's happening this June 12th. Don't miss it!

Let's Do The News! (May 10, 2024)

                                          

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The National Security Council supports the call to investigate the Chinese Embassy of Manila for its possible violation of Philippine law.

- The Bureau of Correction Director General Gregorio Catapang ordered all operating prisons and penal farms to stop the conduct of "strip searches" on those visiting the PDLs.

- The self-styled "eunuch maker" who mutilated paying customers and streamed it online was jailed for a minimum of 22 years.

- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu expressed defiance over the US threat to stop weapons shipments. The US has already paused shipments of munitions over fears of civilian casualties in Rafah.

- Israel heads to the Eurovision finals despite protests,

- Apple faces backlash over damages on musical instruments and books in an iPad commercial.

- The Yu-Gi-Oh! card games set two Guinness World Records.

- The horror game franchise Poppy Playtime is getting a movie adaptation.

- Former NBA player Glen 'Big Baby' Davis is sentenced to 40 months in prison over fraud scheme.

- A new Lord of the Rings movie is coming this 2026 and it will be directed by Andy Serkis.

- Marvel's Fantastic Four movie casts Ralph Ineson as the villain Galactus as well as John Malkovich.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 9, 2024)

                                         

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Philippines and Canada are elevating their bilateral relations amidst the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

- An airplane carrying 61 OFWs from Israel has arrived at NAIA. According to the Department of Migrant Workers, this is the biggest delegation of repatriated Filipinos from Israel.

- US President Joe Biden warned Israel that it will stop shipping weapons to them if it invades Rafah.

- Dover Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke has defected to the Labour Party and attacked the UK government's "broken promises".

- Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi announced his resignation at the next election. Mr. Zahawi was sacked as Tory Party chairman in January last year after an inquiry found he had failed to disclose that HMRC was investigating his tax affairs.

- The Lexus LM 500h minivan received a 6-seater Version L variant.

Lexus LM 500h 6-seater

- The third-generation Honda Freed was unveiled. Set to go on sale this June, it comes with two versions; Air and Crosstar. Both will be powered by the e:HEV hybrid powertrain and have an optional 4WD.

2025 Honda Freed

- Nintendo announced its ending integration for X (formerly Twitter) and social media integrations from within the Nintendo Switch friend suggestion feature effective June 10th, 2024. It also plans to end Facebook integration at a later date.

- Bandai Namco announced the May 16 release of the Gakuen IDOLM@STER app game.

- Starship Entertainment ensures safety measures for IVE member Jang Won Young amid security issues.

- Netflix's original survival game series Zombieverse's second season casts Taeyeon, Yook Sungjae, Kwon Eun Bi, Jo Se Ho, and others.

- Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 8, 2024)

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The PH Department of Justice is preparing a briefer to President Bongbong Marcos on the possible arrest of his predecessor, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and the possible return of the Philippines to the ICC, according to Asec. Mco Clavano.

- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas released the statement regarding the rallyists who rushed to their office earlier because of the alleged "treasure" for the "Filipino people". "IT DOES NOT DISTRIBUTE MONEY DIRECTLY TO THE CITY" the BSP's statement reads.

- The camp of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has surrendered its firearms to the PNP. According to PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil, Quiboloy surrendered five firearms.

- Two Ukrainian officials were arrested over a Russian plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky.

- Stormy Daniels, the porn star at the center of Donald Trump's "hush money" case, has testified during the ongoing criminal trial.

- John Swinney was elected as Scotland's new first minister in the vote in the Scottish Parliament.

- The US revealed that it paused shipments of bombs to Israeli forces over concerns it was going ahead with the major Rafah offensive. Israeli attacked targets in Rafah moments after Hamas announced that they're accepting the ceasefire deal but PM Netanyahu says the agreement Hamas accepted is "far from enough".

- The Bentley Mulliner Batur Convertible was unveiled and it's powered by the same 730bhp W12 engine as its hardtop equivalent. All 16 units are sold out.

2025 Bentley Mulliner Batur Convertible

- The Rolls-Royce Cullinan was updated with Series II for the 2025 model year.

2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

- The facelifted BMW M4 received the CS variant.

- The seventh-generation Volkswagen California camper van was unveiled.

2025 Volkswagen California

- The KGM Torres was updated for the 2025 model year, featuring a new interior layout inspired by its all-electric EVX equivalent. It also adds a new Bi-Fuel variant powered by a 165PS LPG engine with 8.9km/L of fuel economy and the two-seater Torres Van variant with 1,843 liters of boot space.

2025 KGM Torres

- Shell denies reports that it's selling its Malaysian operations to Aramco, saying Malaysia is an important country and remains committed to the mobility business in the said ASEAN country.

- Nintendo will unveil the replacement for the Nintendo Switch this early 2025.

- Microsoft shuts down Arkane Studios, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Studios.

- SM Entertainment announced comeback plans for the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2024.

- NewJeans member Hyein is unable to attend upcoming PR activities due to injury.

- Kansas City Chiefs player Rashee Rice is a suspect in an alleged assault that injured a male in a nightclub in Dallas earlier this week, according to the police.

- Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert wins the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time.

- Effective today, Star City is open every Wednesday to Friday from 2:00PM to 10:00PM and Weekends from 1:00PM to 10:00 PM.

- Comedian Boobay was hit with a silent seizure during a live show at Aparri.

- Here is the list of winners of the 2024 Baeksang Arts Awards.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 7, 2024)

                                       

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- According to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the ICC has spoken to approximately 50 police officials in the Philippines. Some of them have cooperated so that they will not be issued with a "blue notice" or restriction from their international travel. He also said that the Senate hearing on "PDEA Leaks" by Senator Bato Dela Rosa is part of the "ouster plot" against President Bongbong Marcos.

- A fire broke out at parts of San Andres, Manila. 

- The COMELEC is targeting to start printing ballots for the 2025 midterm elections earlier than scheduled.

- In the fourth week of the "hush money" trial on Donald Trump, the New York juror warned Trump of potential jail time as Trump once again violated a gag order.

- Israel strikes targets in eastern Rafah, moments after Hamas announced that they will accept the ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the deal Hamas accepted is not enough.

- John Swinney is elected unopposed as the SNP leader and is set to become Scotland's next first minister.

- Personal information of UK armed forces has been accessed in a cyberattack, according to reports. The hack targeted a payroll system used by the Ministry of Defence, which includes names and bank details of both current and some past armed forces members.

- Kia will unveil the EV3 all-electric crossover this May 23rd.

- Shell is reportedly leaving its Malaysian operations by selling it to Saudi Aramco.

- The second season of the BLUELOCK TV anime will air this October.

- SM Entertainment launches its new contemporary R&B label KRUCIALIZE.

- Seok Rakwon has officially left ATBO.

- Thai actor Max Nattapol Dilknawarit will star in a movie alongside Xian Lim titled Kuman Thong.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 6, 2024)

                                      

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Six members of the New People's Army surrendered at Northern Sama.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos ordered the development of a master list of government-owned lands.

- Transport groups PISTON and MANIBELA again carried out protest actions against PUV modernization.

- The Department of National Defense and the NSC rejected the "deal" and the "new model" in the West Philippine Sea as the public was advised to beware of China's manipulation. A political analyst says that the "new model" of the Ayungin agreement was just made up by China.

- Israel shut down the Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel as one of its offices got raided. Al Jazeera condemned the confiscation of broadcast equipment.

- Israel closes an aid crossing into Gaza after three soldiers were killed in a Hamas rocket attack.

- Duke Johnson announced his retirement after playing eight seasons in the NFL.

- Actor Bernard Hill passed away at the age of 79. Hill starred in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, and Boys from the Blackstuff.

TTFN.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - AdventHealth 400

As Miami got stuffed with the F1 race, it was time to head 1530 miles to Kansas City for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series with the AdventHealth 400 in Kansas Speedway.

After a lengthy delay, the green flag was waved and the action in Kansas was on. As Denny Hamlin won Stage 1, Chris Buescher won Stage 2, and the final stage saw Jimmie Johnson crash into the outside wall on Lap 176, triggering a chain reaction that caught Corey LaJoie, Austin Hill, and three others, followed by Harrison Burton spinning on the backstretch on Lap 192, and spin by Kyle Busch on Lap 261.

Screengrab from NASCAR

In the final lap, Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher clashed for the win and it ended on a dead heat at a rate of 0.001 seconds, the closest in NASCAR history. After the closest look at the closest NASCAR photo finish, it's official. Kyle Larson wins the AdventHealth400 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The next race is at Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400 this May 12.

F1 2024: Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix

The F1 '24 season continues in the streets of Miami, Florida for the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix and this race delivered the biggest upset of the season.

As the lights went off, the action in Miami was underway. Max Verstappen, who won the F1 Sprint race, leads and he was nearly hit by Sergio Perez. As Oscar Piastri made four overtakes on Lap 4 to reach P2, Lap 6 saw Lewis Hamilton slip through  Nico Hulkenberg for P7, only to be regained by the latter. 

As the action heats up, Lap 21 saw trouble for Verstappen as he unintentionally cut corners and therefore pitted for new tires, a chance for Oscar Piastri to jump through the lead. As Piastri leads in Lap 28, he drops to P3 and Lando Norris jumps to P1, meanwhile, the first caution was triggered when Hulkenberg sent homegrown hero Logan Sargent out of the race.

Image: Formula 1

Lando Norris got what he deserved; his first-ever F1 career win. He beat Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc to claim his maiden victory, becoming the 21st British winner on McLaren's 110th F1 start.

After Miami, Verstappen leads with 136 points while Sergio Perez is in 2nd with 103 points, and Charles Leclerc is in 3rd with 98 points.

The next race is the MSC Cruises Gran Premio del Made in Italy E Dell'Emilia-Romagna on May 19th, 2024.

F1 Academy 2024 - Miami

The 2024 F1 Academy season continues in Miami and this two-part race set before the F1 '24's Miami Grand Prix delivered some pre-race big news.

Effective throughout the 2024 season, American Express was named the sponsor of the F1 Academy. With that, the famous credit card brand joins the F1 Academy grid with Jessica Edgar as its driver. Also, a Netflix docuseries highlighting the 2024 season of F1 Academy is coming next year.

Courtney Crone was named the Wildcard entry sponsoring QVC for the Miami race weekend, 

Screengrab from F1 Academy

Abbi Pulling, the Rodin Motorsport driver representing Alpine, swept the entire F1 Academy Miami weekend. The first part saw former W Series driver Chloe Chambers, representing Haas and Campos Racing, taste her first F1 Academy podium by placing 3rd. In contrast, Mercedes/PREMA driver Doriane Pin finished 2nd, and the second part saw Bianca Bustamante, the Filipina driver representing McLaren and ART Grand Prix finish 2nd ahead of Pin.

The next event will be in Barcelona on June 21-23, 2024.

Autobacs Super GT 2024 Series Round 2

It's May the 4th, which is known as Star Wars Day and also the penultimate day of this year's Golden Week, and the Autobacs Super GT 2024 Series with its second round in Fuji Speedway as the cars are wrapping up Golden Week with a golden opportunity of Super GT action.

Screengrab from Super GT

A 1-2 finish for the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 GT500 cars with the #3 Niterra Motul Z the winner and the #23 MOTUL AUTECH Z the second placer while the #17 Astemo CIVIC TYPE R-GT finished 3rd, the first podium finish for the new CIVIC TYPE R-GT racer. In the GT300 class, meanwhile, the #88 JLOC Lamborghini GT3 is the winner, while the #56 Realize Nissan Mechanic Challenge GT-R finished 2nd and the #52 Green Brave GR Supra GT finished 3rd.

The next round will be in Suzuka Circuit this June 2nd.