In the build-up to the Italian Grand Prix, F1 treasured an ardent fangirl of the sport, who was then on the verge of winning her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. Well, she has done it! Emma Raducanu managed to win her first US Open by defeating 73rd-seeded Leylah Annie Fernandez.
The 18-year-old showed strong resilience to defeat the eventual runner-up, winning two straight sets; 6-4 and 6-3. And congratulatory messages have been pouring in from the entire F1 community in the wake of her victory. This is because Raducanu is being crowned as the first British Woman Grand Slam winner in 44 years.
Twitter reacts to Raducanu’s victory
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This isn’t much of a shock, considering she has been a British sensation ever since she revealed her love for Formula 1. Recently, the Briton ended up being a part of the latest Pirelli hot lap around Silverstone, where she revealed that despite choosing Tennis as her career path, she still enjoys watching motorsport.
She also affirmed that she used to compete in karting and motocross when she was young before setting up a career path in Tennis.
This…: https://t.co/lC00YnVt4q
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) September 11, 2021
Amidst such growing love for F1, drivers and the teams have opted to celebrate Raducanu’s Grand Slam victory as their own. Several teams and drivers, including McLaren and George Russell, took to social media to congratulate the 18-year-old on achieving the impeccable feat.
Wow, what an incredible performance!
Congratulations @EmmaRaducanu, you’re a star. 👏 https://t.co/V14S364Rxd
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) September 12, 2021
! #USOpen #f1 https://t.co/obss4WInNn
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) September 12, 2021
One of us. ❤️👏 @EmmaRaducanu pic.twitter.com/bp99PqJKN3
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 12, 2021
😍🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾😍
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) September 11, 2021
Incredible stuff from @EmmaRaducanu. Absolute megastar #USOpen
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) September 11, 2021
Piers Morgan in the mud. You love to see it 💉💉 #USOpen https://t.co/mgPq2TyMQZ
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) September 11, 2021
The McLaren F1 team is also celebrating Emma Raducanu result pic.twitter.com/SFrdwBxiSD
— Diego Barbiani (@Diego_Barbiani) September 12, 2021
Emma Raducanu is one of us 💪 pic.twitter.com/jknT06mDKN
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) September 11, 2021
Could this shape up to be the perfect Sunday for the F1 fangirl?
Yes, she is now a Grand Slam winner, but her day could possibly get even better on Sunday. How you might ask?
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Well, her favorite F1 driver, Daniel Ricciardo will be starting the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix from the front row alongside Max Verstappen. This will be the Australian’s first front row start since his pole at the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix.
Hence, Ricciardo will be yearning to see the chequered flag in the same position. Of course, he is just one spot away from race victory, but, considering his former Red Bull teammate’s incredible race pace, McLaren might be a no match to the Dutchman.
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Overall, amidst bright prospects ahead at Monza, can Ricciardo finally end his dry run with McLaren by securing his first podium of the 2021 F1 season? Well, we’ll know soon enough.
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