Former US President Donald Trump’s appearance at the Miami Grand Prix stirred up controversy on social media, with opinions sharply divided. Max Verstappen, however, found a silver lining, noting that Trump’s presence diverted attention away from him, allowing him some peace.
Trump’s visit included a tour of the McLaren garage, where he dubbed Lando Norris his “lucky charm” before Norris went on to win the Grand Prix, outpacing Verstappen.
Despite Trump’s ongoing legal battles and his bid for reelection, McLaren defended their decision to host him, emphasizing their non-political stance and stating that they accepted the visit as a courtesy to the office of the President of the United States. Verstappen, for his part, seemed unfazed by the political implications, focusing instead on the relief of not being the center of attention due to Trump’s presence.
Norris, meanwhile, expressed his honor at meeting Trump, although he was busy preparing for the race and did not interact with him until after his victory.
He acknowledged the significance of Trump taking the time to congratulate him and even joked about Trump being his “lucky charm.” Despite the mixed reactions on social media, Norris viewed Trump’s acknowledgment of his achievement as a moment worthy of respect and gratitude.
The episode underscores the intersection of sports and politics, with Trump’s appearance at the Grand Prix drawing both praise and criticism. While some viewed it as an honor and a sign of respect for the sport and its athletes, others questioned the appropriateness of involving a controversial political figure in a non-political event.
Nonetheless, for Verstappen and Norris, Trump’s visit added a memorable layer to their race experience, regardless of the broader implications it may have had.
