By R. Alexander Núñez
The preview of Miami Grand Prix of the Formula 1 had an unexpected protagonist off the track. Lionel Messi attended the event as a guest and toured the paddock, where he visited different teams, interacted with drivers and He even got into the Mercedes cargenerating a strong impact on the environment hours before the start of the race.
The Argentine soccer player toured various areas of the circuit accompanied by his family. His time included visits to different teams, including Mercedes, where he had access to the car of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, staunch leader of the championship. He even sat behind the wheel of the vehicle, in a scene that was quickly replicated on broadcasts and social networks.
The day’s activity also featured other high-profile guests such as Rafael Nadal, Jon Rahm and Shaquille O’Neal, although the attention was focused mainly on the captain of the Argentine team. His presence disrupted the paddock’s routine routine, with cameras, photographers and security non-publics focusing on his every move.
The Argentine had also passed through the box Audianother of the brands present at the event.
The Argentine meeting with Franco Colapinto
The tour included a special stop at Alpine. Over there, Messi met with Franco Colapinto, Argentine representative on the grid, who will start the race from 8th place. They both shared with their families and the pilot even invited his partner to join in the moment.
During that meeting, Messi explained the reason for his visit. “I’m enjoying being with the family and living this experience for the first time and I wanted to say hello to Franco too.”“he said in statements to ESPN.
It was not the first time they met this week. Days before, they had already shared a meeting at the Inter Miami training camp, in a meeting organized by YPF in which they also participated. Rodrigo De Paul.
The Miami Grand Prix marks the fourth round on the Formula 1 calendar and the first since the race held in Suzuka, Japan, in March. The scheduled dates in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia did not take place due to the conflict in Iran.
Messi’s appearance on the circuit occurred just one day after the Inter Miami’s 3-4 defeat against Orlando City, in a match in which his team let a 3-0 lead slip away and conceded the decisive goal in added time.
Keep reading:
· After criticism, F1 announces changes for the Miami GP
· Colapinto appears in Miami and the key question grows: when will he return to F1?
· Checo Pérez announces improvement package for Cadillac’s home debut at the Miami GP
