The Miami Grand Prix saw a parade of sports legends, from Lionel Messi to Serena Williams, mingling with the F1 elite. Their presence added a touch of glamour to a thrilling race weekend.
The Miami Grand Prix wasn't just about fast cars and strategic pit stops. The event drew a constellation of sports stars, adding an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings. From the football pitch to the tennis court, icons from various sports found their way to the Miami International Autodrome.
Lionel Messi, a legend with seven Ballon d'Ors and a World Cup to his name, received a warm welcome at the Autodrome. He brought along his family, making a pit stop at the Mercedes garage where his children collected autographs from Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Messi even tried Antonelli's cockpit for size, perhaps a lucky charm, as Antonelli clinched his third consecutive win. The Argentine also visited the Alpine garage, where he met fellow countryman Franco Colapinto, inspiring Colapinto to a career-best seventh-place finish.
Rafael Nadal, a titan of tennis with 22 Grand Slam titles, spent a bustling weekend in Miami. He visited the Ferrari garage and later joined a brand event with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. On race day, Nadal caught up with compatriots like Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso. His weekend highlight was waving the chequered flag as Antonelli crossed the finish line, a task Nadal handled with ease thanks to his formidable forearm strength.
Serena Williams, a trailblazer with 23 Grand Slam titles, graced the paddock, showcasing Ferrari's fashion line. Her visit was marked by a reunion with old friend Lewis Hamilton. Williams fondly recalled their shared past, dominating sports in England over a decade ago — a bond clearly as strong as ever.
Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier, enjoyed the Miami weekend, sporting a leather jacket gifted by F1 partners Barilla. She met with Kimi Antonelli, who tried on her Olympic gold medal. Shiffrin was among the first to congratulate him on his victory, sharing her excitement online.
Golfing greats John Rahm and Ian Poulter were also in attendance. Poulter participated in McLaren's golf line launch, while Rahm joined fellow Spaniard Nadal touring the paddock, celebrating a thriving Spanish sports contingent.
Sprinter Noah Lyles and hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, both Olympians, embraced the speed of F1. Lyles brought his energy to the grid, while McLaughlin-Levrone, attending her first Grand Prix, was a guest of TAG Heuer.
Messi wasn't alone; his Inter Miami teammates, including Luis Suarez, were fixtures in the paddock. Suarez shared football tips with Charles Leclerc and enjoyed the race from the Audi garage. The Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat also joined the festivities, engaging in motorsport fun and enjoying hot laps with Oscar Piastri.
The paddock buzzed with athletes from various fields, including tennis star Juan Martin Del Potro, gymnast Sunisa Lee, swimmer Leon Marchand, snowboarder Shaun White, and Shaquille O'Neal, adding to the star-studded atmosphere.
The Miami Grand Prix was as much a celebration of speed as it was a gathering of sports royalty, making it a memorable weekend in the F1 calendar.