How McLaren's Lando Norris Raced the F1 Miami Grand Prix with a Basketball on His Head

Formula 1 drivers like to get creative where they can with helmet designs and several used Miami to introduce one-off schemes.

Several opted for the neon effect or relaxed vibe associated with Miami but Lando Norris went with something a little different. Out went his usual fluorescent lid and in its place came a helmet that resembled a basketball.

“Yeah, it's probably the best one,” said Norris. “So, I just wanted to do something, I guess very different. I mean, it's not like elegant and wow but it's just simple and different to what a lot of people go for. So it's cool. The guys did a great job of actually making it look like a basketball. It’s not so simple. And, you know, it's textured like the basketball as well.”

There was also a quip made at the expense of friend George Russell. “It maybe would have suited George more, considering they like bouncing a bit more!” However, it didn’t bring Norris much luck, as he crashed out after clipping the ailing AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly. No slam dunk for Lando this weekend.

Speaking of hoops, AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly had a pre-event dinner with NBA legend Michael Jordan that lasted three hours, having been introduced by a mutual associate. Gasly gave Jordan a signed helmet while Jordan signed a pair of his iconic trainers, which Gasly quipped “is going in my safe at home!”

Gasly described the dinner as “the most inspiring I’ve had, as since a kid I was inspired by him, his mentality, and the success he had. Everyone says you should never meet your idol as you’ll only be disappointed and to me it was the complete opposite. I didn’t know he is a massive F1 fan—he almost knows the sport better than I do!”