Red Bull Racing takes over San Francisco's Marina Blvd. for Formula 1 showcase
Red Bull Racing was burning out along San Francisco Marina Boulevard Saturday, shutting the street down for its Formula 1 showcase.
"I'm seeing this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to see it like right near my hometown," said Annie Strickler, who made the trip from Orinda. "It's just really great that they're expanding and trying to expand their audience as well and get people from the Bay Area, because we love sports and we love F1."
Formula 1 fans from across the Bay Area packed in to take in the moment.
"I'm a pretty big F1 fan, so I've kind of just wanted any sort of chance to be able to come and see, like, the cars and the people," said Orinda resident Noah Sasson. "I think Red Bull's a really interesting team in F1, because I feel like they kind of resemble something a little against the grain, because some of the teams are really generational. They're old and Red Bull is the newer team."
MORE: Tyler Reddick wins NASCAR Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing
The event was revving up excitement among newer Formula 1 fans.
"I have been, like, a fan and watched the races, but definitely not, like, as huge of a fan. So I thought that this opportunity to see something for free, especially so close to me, is just like a really amazing thing," said Anna Kucheyev.
Red Bull also unleashed some its other high-end performance vehicles.
"I've owned a lot of Mustangs, so I do like muscle cars, so I'm here for that and here for my puppy to be able to get some exposure and see some people," said Petaluma resident Elizabeth Oats, who was at the event with a group of friends.
"I hope everyone has good day and go, F1," said Crystal Wright.
Donnarumma Makes Crucial Saves in City’s 2-1 Wins
In the 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, Donnarumma denied a deflected Alexis Mac Allister strike late in the game, a save many consider the best of the season.
Later, in the 2-1 win against Newcastle, he made a low save on Harvey Barnes’ volley and punched away a corner, preserving the lead and securing three points for Guardiola’s side.
Two players did what was required off the bench for Manchester City at the Etihad
There were plenty of positives to come out of last night’s 2-1 win over Newcastle for Manchester City. Nico O’Reilly’s rise continued as he scored a vital brace to help his team pick up an important win. Erling Haaland gave everything to the cause as he worked himself into the floor to do whatever his team required at the Etihad. Rodri continued his resurgence which could be massive at the back end of this season. There were two other positives to come out of last night’s win for Manchester City. Those were the performances off the bench of Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Cherki for vastly different reasons.
Abdukodir Khusanov played a crucial role for Manchester City against Newcastle in the second half.
Throughout the first half of last night’s match, Newcastle’s pace on the break was a constant threat to Manchester City. Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon were a constant threat when they were released in behind Manchester City’s high defensive line. Ruben Dias entered halftime on a yellow card as he and Marc Guéhi were tested by Gordon and Elanga. Abdukodir Khusanov replaced Ruben Dias at the interval, and he put in another impressive display under pressure.
Abdukodir Khusanov helped contain the threat and pace of Newcastle. Khusanov’s recovery pace is a strong asset of his play, as is his ability to read the play and snuff out danger. We saw this across the second half. Also, as Newcastle had more possession in the second half, City sat deeper and kept Eddie Howe’s team out. Khusanov, alongside his teammates, played a key role in City’s defensive resolution and eventual victory last night.
Rayan Cherki appeared unfazed by the pressure of the occasion last night.
Omar Marmoushwas replaced by Rayan Cherki just before the hour mark last night. It did seem that Pep Guardiola had hoped that by bringing on the French internationalhe could provide a match-sealing moment and help Pep Guardiola’s side gain control of last night’s match. Cherki almost set up a goal for Antoine Semenyo, and he did help City maintain possession when he got on the ball. But there was one aspect of Cherki’s performance that stood out.
Rayan Cherki seemed unfazed by the situation of last night’s match. Manchester City had to win to get within two points of Arsenal and heap pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side that looks to be struggling. It was a tense and nervous night at the Etihad last night. But you didn’t sense that Cherki was fazed by this. There was a sense of calm in the French international, and he did bring that onto the pitch. That was impressive and speaks volumes about Cherki’s poise to handle a big moment.
Final thoughts.
The performances off the bench from Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Cherki did catch the eye for Manchester City against Newcastle last night, albeit for vastly different reasons. Pep Guardiola’s side will need contributions from everyone to achieve their goals this season. Cherki and Khusanov showed last night that the occasion and pressure that lies ahead may not faze them, which could be massive in the run home.
Ryan Garcia puts on best performance of career to become WBC Champ
Ryan Garcia fought the most complete fight of his career in a fight that he dominated from the opening bell to the final bell while easily defeating Mario Barrios.
With the unanimous decision victory over Barrios on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Garcia became the new WBC welterweight champion to win the first major world title of his career. With a right hand over the top, Garcia dropped Barrios 24 seconds into the fight and would go on to steam roll Barrios the rest of the fight to win unanimously on the judges’ scorecards by the scores of 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109.
Garcia’s biggest win of his career comes on the heels of a lot of drama as he lost a decision to Rolando "Rolly" Romero last May in his bid for the WBA "regular" welterweight title.
After earning the biggest win of his career until tonight in April 2024 when he defeated Devin Haney by majority decision after knocking Haney down multiple times. The big win was short lived due to Garcia testing positive for a banned substance which forced the result to be overturned to a no-contest.
Now that he’s an official champion, Garcia is back in driver seat when it comes to feature fight negotiations and has multiple big-time options in the 147-pound division. Although those on DAZN would like many to believe a fight between Garcia and 140-pound kingpin Shakur Stevenson is next the fight the public wants to see is Garcia vs. Haney 2.
With Haney being the reigning and defending WBO welterweight champion, a fight with Garcia would be a welterweight unification fight that would be must see television. If the version of Garcia that showed up Saturday night against Barrios shows up in the rematch with Haney the man they call “The Dream” will be in for another long night.