Normally, F1 drivers take non-racing athletes and celebrities for hot laps around circuits to give them a taste of the speed—and often, a scare. Lando Norris hinted at this while taking rally driver Oliver Solberg for a hot lap around Silverstone recently.
NBA star Jimmy Butler and other notable personalities like Fast and Furious actress Michelle Rodriguez know how it feels to be in the passenger seat next to Norris. Recalling the same, the McLaren driver took a sly dig at them ahead of his ride with Solberg.
“I think this is the first time my passenger actually has an idea of how to drive,” said Norris. “Probably more of an idea“.
Lando Norris racing Oliver Solberg at Silverstone!@Quadrant via YouTube: pic.twitter.com/QWoR6LvB8B
— McLaren Updates (@McLarenUpdates_) September 26, 2024
Solberg competes in rallying, a discipline that involves significant risks due to the rough terrain. As such, driving fast on a normal circuit likely wouldn’t scare him much—at least, that’s what Norris thought.
Initially, Solberg appeared relaxed in the passenger seat, but as the lap progressed, his nerves began to show. At one point, he even said, “Bloody hell,” when Norris made a fast sharp turn.
However, to be fair, his reactions were relatively subdued compared to others who have taken those hot laps, including Butler.
“You’re going too fast“: Butler
AT the 2019 Canadian GP, Butler made a guest appearance in the paddock. The NBA star then took a hot lap with Norris, whom he is a big fan of.
During the hot lap , the Miami Heat star yelled to express his panic. He told Norris, “You are going too fast! Oh hell naw… oh you driving, driving“.
Never forget… pic.twitter.com/oSVbkNXFar
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 4, 2024
Butler is a huge fan of Norris and also attended the Miami GP this year to support the British driver. The NBA star wore a McLaren t-shirt to the paddock and had Norris write on it. Coincidently, it turned out to be the weekend Norris would win his first-ever F1 race.
When asked what he likes about Norris, Butler replied, “That’s who I aspire to be. He’s great, he’s young. He’s a little bit attractive, and so I think it’s good to be him right now“.
