High-calorie weekend power rankings
The TV is going to get an absolute thrashing this weekend - so are the cheeses and condiments in this six-pack of sport
Tune in, drop out of any social commitments. Here’s my sporting six-pack ranked in order of personal interest. It’s going to be tough. Look after each other… (Apologies in advance if the sport you’re really looking forward to didn’t make it).
1. Just call me a sucker for the start of an F1 season, especially when it’s time-zoned to perfection. Having lost interest by series four of Drive to Survive, I decided to dive back in and catch up. Halfway through series six now and I have a funny feeling Daniel Ricciardo is about to break his hand, prising the door open for Liam Lawson.
We’re getting way behind ourselves here though. Lawson has what some describe as the toughest job in F1, backing up the sensational Max Verstappen in equipment tailored specifically for the Dutchman’s preferences.
From Radio NZ:
Lawson will be driving in the shadow of Verstappen but he has something to prove after replacing Sergio Perez and being picked ahead of Yuki Tsunoda.
Lawson becomes Verstappen’s fifth team-mate at Red Bull since 2016 with Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Perez all getting their chance before being moved on.
With Verstappen dominating since his first title in 2021, the role of the second driver has not been so important, but with Red Bull finishing third in the constructors championship in 2024, the need for Lawson to pick up points has become a priority for the team.
It’s petrolhead heaven, with Supercars running in support of the GP, and Shane van Gisbergen’s Nascar Cup Series shifts to Las Vegas… from which a certain team has recently returned broken and battered.
Australian GP, Melbourne, Sunday 5pm, SS
2. Judging by my email inbox and text machine, The Bounce was not the only entity dismayed by the Warriors’ NRL no-show in Vegas. Even some of my wonderfully glass half-full mates found themselves drinking a bitter concoction.
If they lay down another stinker at Mt Smart tonight, the club might find that “Full House” sign they are so proud of becomes redundant.
It’s a cracking Friday night double-header actually, with an enticing East meets West clash.
Warriors v Manly, Auckland, tonight 8pm, SS2
Penrith v Easts, Sydney, tonight 10pm, SS2
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