Lando Norris is an unmistakable presence both on and off the track. With a magnetic personality and a colossal following on social media, Norris is anything but an average F1 driver. During the recent episode of ‘Grill the Grid 2023,’ drivers were tasked with identifying fellow racers from their baby photos. What could have been a casual game took a sharp turn when a baby photo encased in a helmet appeared on the screen. When it comes to throwing shade, Norris knows how to land a punch without even real effort. The 23-year-old British racing sensation recently took aim not at a fellow driver, but at social media giant Facebook, leaving Mark Zuckerberg in an unanticipated line of fire.
The helmeted baby photo didn’t just leave Norris stumped; it had the entire grid scratching their heads. From George Russell‘s bewildered, “Oh my word, who is that?” to Carlos Sainz‘s confounded “Hey, you cannot see anything,” the drivers’ collective confusion was palpable. The guesses floated around from Max Verstappen to Pierre Gasly until Esteban Ocon finally put an end to the mystery by correctly identifying Kevin Magnussen. This collective episode of bewilderment set the stage for what would be Norris’s merciless quip. Like they say faster cars, give you faster burns, Lando Norris roasted Mark Zuckerberg and forgot an F1 rival even exists.
“who the hell uses facebook? must be old..” lando 😭 pic.twitter.com/khtOcgKtji
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) August 30, 2023
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It was Norris’s unfiltered reaction to the photograph that left the internet buzzing. Upon seeing the baby picture, which was shared on Facebook, Norris exclaimed, “Who the hell uses Facebook? Must be old.” This jibe left many wondering if it was a sly dig at Mark Zuckerberg’s aging social media platform. The cherry on the cake was his follow-up quip upon learning the baby was Kevin Magnussen: “I forgot he was a driver… sad times.” These unfiltered reactions offer a glimpse into the personality that has made Norris a beloved figure, while also throwing shade at Facebook’s dwindling relevance among younger users.
Read more: Sailing Amid Hot Waters, Zak Brown Exposes Lando Norris’ Deepest Insecurities
While the task at hand was a lighthearted quiz, Norris managed to use the platform to dish out some savage moments, in a manner only he can. Whether it was intentional or purely spur-of-the-moment, Norris has a way of making headlines that extends beyond his performance on the racetrack. And this time, it’s Mark Zuckerberg who finds himself unwittingly caught in the crossfire of Norris’s unfiltered wit. And Norris had found himself amid the feud between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.
Lando Norris is in the middle of a tech showdown
Lando Norris unwittingly landed in the middle of a tussle between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Musk’s recent changes to Twitter have been met with mixed reactions, notably the introduction of Twitter Blue and the daily post restrictions. Countering this, Zuckerberg launched a new social media platform called Threads, aiming to challenge Twitter’s supremacy.
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Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg: Who's on top in the social media game?
Our Sr. Director of Content Marketing, Chad Gilbert, breaks down the numbers to see who’s REALLY winning with users!
Check out the latest stats on X (Twitter) vs. Threads!#SocialMedia #twitter #threads pic.twitter.com/GHxceh1RQK
— NP Digital (@NPDigital) August 23, 2023
In a move that adds fuel to the fire, Norris recently joined Threads, posting a simple “👋” emoji. Zuckerberg himself welcomed the F1 star with a tweet saying, “Let’s do this. Welcome to Threads. 🔥” The social media endorsements don’t stop at Twitter and Threads; other tech titans are also showing interest in Norris and F1. Google is a major sponsor for McLaren, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos was spotted at a McLaren pit wall during the Miami GP.
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Lando Norris might have thrown some shade at Facebook, but he’s certainly not shying away from aligning himself with other social media platforms.
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