Lando Norris & Novak Djokovic Share Identical Emotion as Carlos Sainz Stuns at All Stars Ryder Cup 2023

Formula 1 is different from other sports. It’s an individual battle, but it’s just as much about the team game. Every once in a while, though, other sports do what F1 does, too. In tennis, it’s the Laver Cup. The best of Europe versus the best of the World. In golf, it’s the Ryder Cup. The best of Europe versus the best of the United States, who face off once every two years. Just as Novak Djokovic wound up his Davis Cup duties and Lando Norris capped off the Singapore-Japan doubleheader with two podiums, they headed to Rome for the 44th Ryder Cup. But who would’ve guessed they’d be on the same side?

The Ryder Cup has been a star-studded ordeal so far. One non-golfer set himself apart from the rest, though, who shone brighter than anyone else (maybe apart from Djokovic). And that was Carlos Sainz. 

Are Lando Norris and Novak Djokovic’s post-retirement plans sorted?

It’s no secret how big a fan Lando Norris is of golf, and it’s all thanks to Sainz. When the Spaniard took a rookie Norris under his wing at McLaren in 2019, he was more than just a teammate. Sainz was the one responsible for Norris transitioning from “Golf is the most boring sport ever” to “I love golf.” Even though Norris is still a novice, he’s getting there. And well, Djokovic. He needs no introduction. Whatever he puts his mind to, he excels at. That’s precisely what he did when he faced off against Sainz in the All-Star match on 28th September.

The Smooth Operator versus the Djoker. It was Sainz and paralympic golfer Tommaso Perrino versus Djokovic and Kip Popert. In a thrilling match-up, Djokovic—in typical Djokovic fashion—did what he does best. Get the better of his opponents. He and Popert bested Sainz and Perrino 3-1. But it wasn’t before Sainz showed some of his class. He hit a beautiful shot from the rough that landed just shy of the hole. The cheers that followed were thoroughly deserved. F1 journalist Peter Windsor talked about Carlos on a YouTube livestream. He said, “Carlos, who loves golf, played really well. Good to see him generally being very cool and representing the sport very well. Very dignified, humble in everything he said, and just very nice.”

Coming back to Norris and Djokovic and their retirement plans. It’s evident they’re both far from retirement. Norris, 23, is just hitting his stride. Djokovic, 36, has been hitting his stride for over 10 years and isn’t slowing down. One thing that is clear is their love for golf. On his livestream, Windsor said, “When they said to Novak, ‘Do you enjoy golf,’ he said, ‘Yeah, who doesn’t. Who doesn’t love golf?” Norris echoed his comments a day later, saying, “I love golf. If I could play every day, I would. It’s probably the sport I’m into the most outside of Formula 1.”

Read More: Rafael Nadal Loyalist Carlos Sainz Set to Challenge His Arch Rival Novak Djokovic at Ryder Cup 2023

Seeing Novak and Lando give golf a shot after their respective careers would be exciting. The transition, though, will be challenging, and Sainz explained exactly why.

Hitting a golf shot is more nerve-wracking than driving for Carlos Sainz

Just like Novak Djokovic is in the form of his life (when is that statement not true), Carlos Sainz is too. Off the back of his second career win, he’s been pumping on all cylinders for the past month. He’s proved just how good a driver he is and what a fantastic driving IQ he has. As he (temporarily) hung up his racing gloves to put on a golf glove this weekend—and went up against a 24-time Grand Slam champion—he proved his “driving” prowess as well. Compared to the adrenaline-filled situations inside his F1 car, this should’ve been a breather for him. Well, it wasn’t.

In an interview with Sky Sports, he said, “In Formula 1, I feel in control because I know I have the talent and the ability to do whatever I want with the car. Unfortunately, in golf, I don’t have that same control over the club, and my nerves can get the better of me, just as they can in an F1 car. I won’t deny it, I get nervous, especially with so many people watching. I certainly don’t want to hit anyone out there, so I’ll be aiming for a controlled shot.” He didn’t hit anyone, but he certainly became an instant hit. 

Do you think the golf scene will see Novak Djokovic, Lando Norris, and Carlos Sainz participate competitively in the future?

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