I’m your lucky charm, Trump tells Lando
Donald Trump told Somerset’s Lando Norris that he was his “lucky charm” following his maiden Formula One victory, at the Miami Grand Prix.
At his 110th attempt, Lando captured the Formula One win that had so far proved elusive until Sunday’s race at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
The 24-year-old rearranged his travel plans to stay in Miami an extra night and celebrate becoming the 21st British driver to enter the F1 winner’s circle.
Lando’s triumph came three-and-a-half hours after former United States president Trump was given a guided tour of the car which would carry him to glory by McLaren’s chief executive Zak Brown.
“I didn’t see him (Trump) in the garage ahead of the race because I was busy preparing, but he came and saw me after to congratulate me,” said Norris.
“He said he was my lucky charm because it was my first win so I don’t know if he’s going to come to more races now. “Donald is someone you have to have respect for in many ways, and I guess it was an honour for him to come up to me and to take the time out of his life to acknowledge what I’ve done. It was a cool moment.” Lando, who grew up near Glastonbury and attended Millfield School, had started to earn the
reputation as F1’s nearly man prior to his victory in the Sunshine State.
A fan heckled Norris in Australia in March after the McLaren man became the first driver in the sport’s history to stand on the podium as many as 14 times without taking to the top step.
“When are you going to win a race Lando?” yelled the punter. Norris replied with the middle finger and the unsavoury exchange was splattered all over social media.
Lando said after his Miami success: “I never lost the faith. I never lost the belief that I could go out there and do it. I go on Instagram and I like all the comments of people abusing me. I love it. More than anything, it makes me smile – especially (the meme) ‘Lando No-wins’.
“So to prove those people wrong and to prove to people that didn’t think I could go out and do it, and then go out and do it, has put an even bigger smile on my face. I thank all of them.
“I said at the beginning of the year we could win a race and lot of people doubted that,” added Lando, who will be back in action at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola on Sunday, May 19. and races.
Does Alfie have plans for the future? Mum Lisa said: “Alfie is no different from any other eight-yearold.
“With his favourite F1 driver being another local, Lando Norris, he has big plans and wants to conquer the world of F1 and maybe get mum and dad a new motorhome.”
So it looks like this young lad from Holcombe is one to watch in the racing field. Watch out too for sister Ava in her racing gear.
❝ With his favourite F1 driver being another local, Lando Norris, he has big plans and wants to conquer the world of F1 and maybe get mum and dad a new motorhome. Alfie’s mum Lisa