110 races and 16 podiums later Lando Norris entered his name for the first time in the group of Formula 1 Grand Prix winners. The Briton took advantage of a stroke of luck in form of Safety Car at the right time to defeat Max Verstappen. A long-awaited moment for the McLaren leader… which was celebrated by many of his grid mates, including Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.
Of course, the party at McLaren was total after the victory (with dedication included to the late Gil de Ferran)… and it is no wonder since The British team had not won a Grand Prix since Monza 2021 (the previous victory, of Oscar Piastri in 2023, it occurred in a sprint race) where Ricciardo won… over a Lando Norris who was forced to respect team orders in his wake.
Trump, the most controversial VIP of the Miami GP
McLaren was the center of attention after the race… but also before. In a Grand Prix characterized by stellar presence of VIPs (from Kendall Jenner to Ed Sheeran going by Mark Anthony, Patrick Mahomes, Zinedine Zidane and a long etcetera)… among which one stood out above all the others. Nothing less than the former US President Donald Trump.
The magnate, now immersed in the electoral race (the 47th American president will be elected in November), he entered the race as British team guestskippered by his compatriot Zak Brown. Without a doubt, the paddock of a Formula 1 Grand Prix in a key state like Florida (prone to the businessman) is not ‘excessive’, even in the pre-campaign.
His presence generated controversy…to the point that the British team itself had to publicly clarify the reason why it invited the candidate Republican, specifying that this fact was not a support to the political option it represents: “McLaren is a apolitical organizationbut we recognize and we respect the office of President of the United States“they explained in a statement.
“So when they asked us to visit our garage on race day, we agreed. together with the president of the FIA and the CEOs of Liberty Media and Formula 1. We are honored that McLaren Racing was chosen as F1 representativewhich gave us the opportunity to show the world-class engineering that we bring to motorsport,” concludes the letter from the Woking brand.
Trump, Norris’s “lucky charm”
Be that as it may… the truth is that Donald Trump’s presence in the papaya garage brought him luck to the hosts. The president, who was applauded with the shout of USA, USA! by the main tribune in the prolegomena, also He came down to the podium to greet the winner, Lando Norris.
“I didn’t see him in the garage before the race because I was busy getting ready, but he came to see me afterwards to congratulate me. He told me it was my lucky charm because it was my first win, so I don’t know if he’ll come to more races now.” , Norris joked after the race about the matter.
He came to see me to congratulate me. He told me that it was my lucky charm because it was my first victory, so I don’t know if he will come to more races now.
Lando Norris, McLaren driver
“Donald is a person to be respected in many ways, and I guess it was an honor for him to come up to me and take a moment out of his life to acknowledge what I’ve done. It was a great moment,” he added.
He wanted to ‘be’ in the 500 Miles
Trump is in full campaign to return to the presidency of the United States (he was the 45th president and aspires to become the 47th) and seems to have set the focus on motorsport…although not at all major motor events it has been so well received.
His presence at the Miami Grand Prix was personal, but Trump also had plans to be protagonist in the other great event of the summer engine: the Indianapolis 500.
As RACER revealed, his candidacy planned sponsor one of the cars who will take part in the 108th edition of the legendary test, but the organization did not give approval to this action to avoid political controversies. “IndyCar does not approve sponsorships associated with elected officials, candidates for political office or political action committees,” the championship management specified to the American publication.
