Lando Norris has revealed a "scary" and unprecedented moment in his motorsport career: sneezing during a race and being forced to close his eyes. The incident occurred earlier this season during the Miami Grand Prix Sprint race.
Why it matters
Norris, a top F1 driver, described this as a first for him, highlighting the unexpected challenges even experienced professionals face. This rare event underscores the constant awareness required in Formula 1, even under safety car conditions.
The incident
- The setting: During the Miami GP Sprint race, a chaotic 100 km event where Fernando Alonso crashed, triggering a safety car.
- Norris in the lead: Norris was leading the field under the safety car, having started from pole position.
- The sneeze: While driving slowly, Norris unexpectedly sneezed.
- Momentary blindness: "You just shut your eyes," Norris explained on the Quadcast podcast. He was close to the car ahead, and the involuntary action caused immediate concern.
- Fear of collision: Norris admitted he was "scared I was going to get rear-ended" by the following car, as he had no time to react.
Outcome
Despite this startling moment, Norris, who secured his first F1 victory at Miami a year prior, still went on to win the Sprint race. This revelation offers a candid glimpse into racing's unpredictable nature, where even basic human reflexes can present a critical hazard.