Nienke's blog

Story #1: F1 Shook Up Tradition by Adding Sprint Races

Last seasons, the sprint was introduced to Formula 1 with the goal to add excitement to a race weekend. But the Formula 1 drivers had mixed feelings about this new format.

A sprint is one-third of the distance of the Grand Prix of that Sunday, with no pitstops. On most weekends, the qualification that determines the Grand Prix starting positions happens on Saturday. However, sprints are run on Saturdays, so on those weekends the traditional qualifying happens on Friday. On sprint weekends, qualifying determines the starting positions of the drivers for the sprint race, and the results of the sprint determines the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Not all Formula 1 drivers feel the same about the sprint weekends. Some of them like the diversity in the racing schedule. Others, however, say that they are less willing to take risks during a sprint because they don’t want to damage the car before the actual race. In their opinion that is not what a race should be about.

(interview: what is *interviewed person’s* view on these sprint races)

Story #2: At the Capitol, the Question of Who Won the Midterms Lingers Days Afterward

There is an air of suspense hanging over the Capitol combined with an air of uncertainty. Members of both parties were poring over the ongoing counts in search of clues to the final outcome.

The Congress was in a state of suspended animation after the polls closed in a consequential and highly anticipated midterm election. Nobody is sure which party is going to be in charge of the House and Senate.

Traditionally, the outcome of the votes are pretty clear and the winners all rush to the Capitol to talk publicly about their victories and plans for the future. This year, congressional leaders have maintained a low profile until they can be sure of the outcome.

(interview)

Story #3: Ukraine Peace Talks Remain Distant Even as Moscow Signals a Retreat

American and European leaders say that they cannot push Ukraine and Russia into negotiations. They say serious peace talks between the two countries are very unlikely in the near future.

Both Russian and Ukrainian officials have made separate recent public comments about potential peace negotiations. Their last known direct talks fell apart more than six months ago. Even though both countries are talking about it, U.S. officials say they don’t believe these talks will begin soon.

They also concede that it is difficult to imagine that terms of a settlement will be found that Ukraine and Russia would accept.

(interview)

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/us/politics/midterms-congress-capitol.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/09/us/politics/ukraine-russia-peace-talks.html

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