One of the biggest events on the Formula 1 calendar is the British GP. The Silverstone circuit has a rich history as it hosted the first-ever world championship F1 race in 1950. This year, even before we went racing, the spotlight was on the Mclaren duo, Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris.
The race in the United Kingdom is the home GP for Norris, and he receives a loud ovation from home fans. However, this time around, a blow from his teammate set him back before he even stepped into his race car. On Thursday, Sky Sports hosted a space-hopper race between the drivers to provide the British fans with their first taste of on-track action.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In this event, the Aussie got a better start and took the lead. Nevertheless, the Briton responded by picking up the pace and making a move to get ahead. This is when ‘Honey Badger’ sprung into action and stopped Norris in his tracks by tossing the space hopper towards him; it hit the Brit in his face. As soon as the incident happened, Daniel Ricciardo rushed to check up on the youngster.
“He’s okay” pic.twitter.com/Y3JTaCrY2S
— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) June 30, 2022
Later, the 33-year-old posted on his Twitter ‘He’s ok’, referring to his McLaren partner. The 22-year-old replied to it with a sarcastic image on his social, also captioned ‘He’s ok’. In a recent interview with JOE, the Australian opined on the scary series of events on British soil.
The interviewer asked, “Have you ever got in trouble for your antics?”
“As soon as it left my hand I went into instant regret mood” – Dan pic.twitter.com/eDip9tJ0Lk
— ayna ☀️ waiting for Daniel slap ass again (@formulayna) July 20, 2022
Ricciardo replied, “I don’t think so, at least not in F1. But, I will say, will say the space hopper. Is that what it’s called? Space hopper? It literally took me back to being at school and you know at school, as soon as you do something, you know is wrong and it’s like, you instantly have like ‘Oh no’, the instant regret, why did I just do that? And it was kind of the same feeling.”
“So it took me back to, say I was doing something silly at school, which you know is going to get back to the teacher or the principal. It was the same. As soon as it left my hands, I was like, ‘Oh no’, like he is literally going to fly backwards and injure himself and I have done it in front of his home crowd. And the British fans I have are now absolutely going to hate me and Lando is going to be hurt and not be able to race.”
READ MORE: Why Sergio Perez’s Latest F1 Reckoning Could Unnerve Resurgent Ferrari
“All these things quickly ran over, my head, so as soon as it left my hand, I went into instant regret mode, and oh my gosh. Luckily, someone was watching and saying, Lando would not be hurt and everything will be okay.”
F1 Twitter reacted to the Daniel Ricciardo – Lando Norris space hopper tale
The Australian racing driver admitted it was an accident and there was no bad blood between the McLaren pairing. Even Lewis Hamilton got involved by asking ‘Is he actually?’ as a reply to the ‘He’s Ok’ tweet by Ricciardo. Here is how the rest of the F1 Twitter reacted to this hilarious moment.
Is he actually?
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) June 30, 2022
In case you missed it, @LandoNorris and @danielricciardo gave us the greatest space hopper race in history 🤣
You're going to want to stay for that slo-mo replay 😭 pic.twitter.com/xnnIAcYTfG
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 1, 2022
Nothing will top this moment for #F1 in 2022 🤣
Lando Norris taking a space hopper to the face from Daniel Ricciardo 😂😂😂#BritishGP pic.twitter.com/SoAU8Ss03k
— Crash F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) July 1, 2022
Lando Norris being taken out by Daniel Ricciardo by a space hopper has been one of the best videos I’ve seen in my life
— Claire Merrifield (@ClaireMerri) July 1, 2022
Daniel Ricciardo may not be beating Lando Norris on the track, but he absolutely SMOKED Norris with a space hopper today. pic.twitter.com/g6vnCrBMng
— Pop Culture Rehab Podcast (@PCRpod) July 1, 2022
I’m just thinking about the accident report – hit in the face by a colleague with a giant space hopper!
— TraceyS (@TraceyJR1375) July 1, 2022
Me: *telling mum about the space hopper thing with Daniel and lando*
Mum: *they shouldn't be doing that before a race! They could twist a ankle or get seriously injury "
Me: your such a mum 🤣@danielricciardo @LandoNorris— Eden (@thetranslizard) July 1, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Good job it wasn't a space hopper from the 80's @LandoNorris , those things were solid! It would have taken your head off 🤣🤣
— Simon Williams 🏴🏴 (@simonwill82) July 1, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Lando Norris took the hit on the chin, but that did not let him hold back from racing. He finished P6 in the race even though he suffered an early shunt during the weekend. Is this your favorite moment of the 2022 season so far?
Watch This Story: Red Bull and McLaren Quarrel Over 2022 F1 Cars