Josef Newgarden was disqualified and had his victory in the first race of the IndyCar season in St. Petersburg taken away. This decision granted Pato O’Ward his first win in the series since 2022. Newgarden had won the race from pole position, with his teammate Scott McLaughlin finishing third. However, both drivers were disqualified because they used push-to-pass on restarts, which goes against IndyCar rules. The push-to-pass software in the Penske cars had not been changed since the hybrid test in Sebring, leading to this issue.
Will Power, another driver in the race, was also penalized with a deduction of 10 points. However, he was not disqualified because he did not use push-to-pass on a restart. Power effectively only loses two points due to the net gain of position he received as a result of his teammates’ disqualification. The revised result of the race in St. Petersburg is as follows: 1. O’Ward, 2. Power, 3. Herta, 4. Palou, 5. Rosenqvist. In terms of championship points, Dixon is currently in first place with 79 points, followed by Herta (-23), Palou (-12), O’Ward (-15), and Power (-20).
Prior to these penalties, Newgarden was leading the championship standings after a win and a fourth-place finish in the first two races. However, as a result of the disqualification, he now drops to 11th place in the championship, 45 points behind the leader. McLaughlin, on the other hand, is currently in 29th place with only five points due to a gearbox issue that forced him to retire from the Long Beach race.
The President of Team Penske and strategist for Josef Newgarden, Tim Cindric, acknowledged the error and accepted the penalties imposed by IndyCar. He explained that the push-to-pass software was not removed as it should have been after the hybrid tests on the Team Penske IndyCars. This led to the activation of push-to-pass on restarts during the St. Petersburg Grand Prix race, which was against the rules. Cindric expressed the team’s acceptance of the penalties and their commitment to ensuring compliance in the future.
The penalties were not issued immediately after the race in St. Petersburg. It took over a month for IndyCar to discover the infraction, which occurred during the warm-up session in Long Beach. An extensive review of the race data in St. Petersburg revealed that Team Penske manipulated the overtaking system, allowing certain cars to use push-to-pass on starts and restarts. According to the IndyCar rule book, the use of overtaking is not allowed until the car reaches the alternative finish line during championship races. Cars #2 and #3 gained a competitive advantage by using push-to-pass on restarts, while car #12 did not. As a result, all three teams were fined $25,000 and will forfeit all prize money associated with the St. Petersburg race.
IndyCar President Jay Frye announced that a new inspection protocol will be implemented to prevent such violations in the future. Frye emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the IndyCar Series championship. The violation went unnoticed in St. Petersburg, but was discovered during the warm-up session in Long Beach. Immediate actions were taken to ensure compliance for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The new technical inspection procedures will be in effect starting from the race at Barber Motorsports Park.
Although Team Penske has the option to appeal the penalty, it is unlikely to do so based on Cindric’s statement accepting the penalties. O’Ward, who had a collision with his teammate Alexander Rossi in Long Beach, resulting in a drive-through penalty and a 16th place finish, has now been propelled to fourth place in the standings, 15 points behind the leader. This revised result not only ends O’Ward’s winless streak, but also marks a significant achievement for his McLaren team, as none of their drivers won a race last season.
© 2024
Portugal wins the 2024 Euro Cup
The Portuguese national football team made history by winning the 2024 Euro Cup. With an impeccable campaign, the team led by Fernando Santos showed their superiority and lifted the most coveted trophy in European football.
From the start of the tournament, Portugal displayed engaging and efficient football. With a solid defense and a powerful attack, the team did not give their opponents any chances and secured convincing victories. Special mention to the star Cristiano Ronaldo, who once again showed his brilliance and leadership on the field.
In the final, Portugal faced the strong French national team. In an exciting and balanced game, both teams sought to score at every moment. However, it was Portugal who came out on top, winning 2-1 and securing the unprecedented title.
The victory in the 2024 Euro Cup represents a milestone in Portuguese football history. Not only is it the first time the national team has won this title, but it also reinforces Portugal’s position as a powerhouse in the sport.
The Portuguese fans celebrated intensely, filling the streets of Lisbon with joy and festivity. The country came to a standstill to celebrate the historic achievement of the national team, bringing pride and happiness to all Portuguese people.
Now, the eyes turn to the future. With the title of the Eurocup, Portugal consolidates itself as one of the favorites for the upcoming competitions and promises to continue shining on the field. The team has talent, determination, and determination to achieve even more victories and make history in world football.
The Eurocup of 2024 will be remembered in the memory of the Portuguese as a moment of glory and overcoming. The Portuguese national team once again proved its greatness and left an indelible mark on the sport. Congratulations, Portugal!
