The Miami Grand Prix sent Donald Trump a cease-and-desist letter to squash a fundraising event, but the former president’s presence remained a talking point at the end of the Formula 1 race.
Last month, prominent Trump fundraiser Steven Witkoff attempted to sells tickets to his Paddock Club suite for $250,000, promoting it as an event for the GOP nominee and his 2024 campaign. Race officials quickly ended the attempt, citing it as a violation of the Miami Grand Prix suite licensing agreement.
Even though he was unable to swindle the race into a fundraising event, Trump still appeared in Miami for Sunday’s Grand Prix and was invited into McLaren’s garage where he spoke with CEO Zak Brown. Trump’s visit coincided with McLaren winning their first Grand Prix since 2021, and the first F1 victory of Lando Norris’s career. And while calling Norris’s approach to the finish line, announcer David Croft cited Trump’s appearance on the Sky Sports broadcast, which was also carried by the ESPN on ABC.
“20 drivers from the United Kingdom have won a Formula 1 Grand Prix,” Croft said. “Number 21 is going to be Lando Norris for McLaren. McLaren seemed to welcome the former President of the United States into their garage before the race. A race that was meant to be about Max Verstappen. But here at the checkered flag, Norris TRUMPS Verstappen and wins the Miami Grand Prix and wins a Grand Prix for the first time in his career. Lando has landed!”
Trump was unable to profit off the race for his campaign, but he still received the attention he sought. In addition to having his name referenced in the closing seconds of the race, the GOP nominee relished the win by touting himself as a “lucky charm” for Norris thanks to his visit with the McLaren team prior to Sunday’s Grand Prix.
If you go back to watch F1’s race highlights from the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, you will not hear Croft’s mention of Trump. This, however, has nothing to do with his fundraising attempt or the cease-and-desist letter. Croft’s Trump references were not scrubbed. F1, rather, uses F1 TV for their highlight packages, not the Sky Sports commentary team.
