Max Verstappen and Tua Tagovailoa swap jerseys as they tie in for the Miami Grand Prix – with F1 stars showing what they can do on the football pitch
- The world champion received an autograph from the signal caller of the Miami Dolphins
- Others, including Valtteri Bottas, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, performed exercises
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Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has only been to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium once before to take part. This time he was shown around by someone who has been in the stadium complex for the past three years.
The reigning drivers’ world champion met Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as part of the run-up to the second-ever Miami Grand Prix on Sunday.
World No. 1 Verstappen and Miami’s No. 1 Tagovailoa swapped ‘jerseys’ as Tua signed a jersey for the Dutchman.
This event marks the first of three United States Grands Prix – ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas in October and the first Las Vegas Grand Prix to be held under the spotlight in November.
Verstappen wasn’t alone in receiving the star NFL treatment at the stadium at the center of the 3.36-mile circuit.
Pictured: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa signs a shirt for one of his fans
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen & the Miami QB ‘swap jerseys’ Thursday
This year F1 moved the paddock to the Hard Rock Stadium field to accommodate non-racing facilities
This season, Formula 1 moved the paddock to the 64,000-seat stadium, covering the turf with non-pit side team facilities and allowing for various NFL-style activities.
Other Miami Dolphins players, such as linebacker Jalen Phillips and running back Raheem Mostert, were on hand to talk to the drivers.
Tagovailoa gave passing lessons to both Alfa Romeo drivers: Zhou Guanyu of China and Valtteri Bottas of Finland.
Both Alpha Tauri drivers were also seen on the field, with footage of teammates Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda throwing the pigskin.
Ferrari’s driver pairing Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were also put to the test – with Leclerc practicing a shuttle drill and Sainz weaving between tackling dummies.
Others who have seen the football include Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Williams drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant.
This marks a homecoming for Sargeant – the Fort Lauderdale-born and bred American who is in his first season in Formula 1 and racing in his hometown for the first time.
Meanwhile, away from the field, Lewis Hamilton was seen in the garage next to New York rapper A$AP Rocky.
Tagovailoa (R) also gave passing lessons to Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas (L) and Zhou Guanyu
Alpha Tauri teammates Nyck de Vries (L) and Yuki Tsunoda (R) also threw a soccer ball around
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (L) tested his agility as Carlos Sainz (R) ran through tackle dummies
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll (L) and Williams’ Alex Albon (R) also threw pigskin
Hometown hero Logan Sargeant is racing in his native South Florida for the first time
In the garage, Lewis Hamilton (R) showed rapper A$AP Rocky (L) the Mercedes setup
Verstappen will look to beat his teammate Sergio Perez – who closed the gap between the top two places with last Sunday’s victory in Azerbaijan.
Perez was able to hold his own on a circuit where Red Bull has had a number of famous incidents between their top drivers in recent seasons.
With the win, Perez narrowed the gap to eight points behind his teammate going into this race weekend.
Verstappen triumphed last season beating both Ferraris, while Perez finished P4 and more than two seconds behind Sainz, who finished in third place.