PICK OF THE SPORT: Formula 1 gets underway this weekend — for the first time on a Saturday — in a season opener you can’t miss, writes Dylan Bettencourt.
The start of any sporting season always comes with excitement as fans hope it might be better than the last.
But Formula 1 fans will be forgiven for thinking there will be no difference this season and that Red Bull along with three-time world champion Max Verstappen will run away with it once again.
Hope is a magical feeling that allows people to dream — and in Bahrain on Saturday, there will be plenty of hopes and dreams.
The start of the 2024 season will be historic in one way — for the first time in the modern era, the main race will take place on a Saturday.
Because Ramadan is set to begin on Sunday, 10 March, Formula 1 decided for logistical reasons to move the Bahrain race a day earlier and the Jeddah race a day earlier as well, to 9 March.
Watching the main race on Saturday at 5pm may not be that strange, given that sprint races in the last few years have taken place on a Saturday.
The feeling that something is missing may come on Sunday when there is no racing action to watch.
Early rumours in the paddock are that Red Bull will dominate once again but the battle may be between Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren throughout the season.
The first race of the Formula 1 season will be live on DStv channel 215.
➤ The Premier League is drawing closer to the finish line and what better way to end the weekend than with a Manchester Derby?
Manchester City plays host to their neighbours Manchester United at 5.30pm on Sunday.
Liverpool find themselves at the top of the table but only by one point and City will be hoping they will have an opportunity to reclaim that top spot by the time they take to the field.
Liverpool are in action on Saturday at 5pm against Nottingham Forest where the Reds will look to secure their spot at the summit for the time being at least.
Two London derbies will be taking place at the same time, with Tottenham taking on Crystal Palace and Chelsea facing Brentford, also at 5pm on Saturday.
Arsenal fans will have to wait until Monday to see their team in action against Sheffield United at 10pm.
➤ There have been some mammoth clashes between the Bulls and the Stormers — remembered by some as Northern Transvaal and Western Province — but this weekend’s battle ranks with the best of them. And this time it’s personal.
The smart money appears to be on the Stormers and they could be right. Damian Willemse, Manie Libbok and Deon Fourie are back from their mandatory sabbatical and Frans Malherbe is back from injury.
Jake White, however, has said that he is keeping his eye on winning the United Rugby Championship (URC). Riding high on the tables, the Bulls might feel they could give up this game — but that’s unlikely. Both teams will want to win.
The URC match between the Lions and the Sharks at Emirates Airline Park is somewhat overshadowed by the match in Pretoria, but it may produce great rugby. Will the Sharks finally produce the promise their star-studded lineup promises?
Lions versus Sharks at Emirates Airline Park, Saturday 3pm
Bulls versus Stormers at Loftus Versveld, Saturday 5pm
Both matches will be live on DStv channel 211
➤ The Blitzboks jump into the Los Angeles Sevens tournament at the deep end, facing Ireland and the seemingly unstoppable Argentinians on the first day.
These are both matches they could win — or lose. To be honest, the Blitzboks have been disappointing but the mood in the camp is said to be positive. But we’ve heard that before, haven’t we?
Saturday:
Blitzboks versus Ireland 5.38am
Blitzboks versus Argentina 8.36pm
Sunday:
Blitzboks versus Spain 12.48am
Matches will be live on DStv 201
Pictured above: The Red Bull racing car in action around the Bahrain circuit.
Image source: X
