Over the years, Lewis Hamilton has tasted success like no other driver in F1. That is the reason why his stature transcends sporting and cultural boundaries. The Briton has made friends with the biggest sportspersons and A-list celebrities alike and is often seen hanging out with them. Ahead of the Miami GP, he shared a table with a young NBA star who was there for the inaugural edition of the race last year. That time, however, a renowned F1 presenter mistook him for Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.

Ever since joining the racing calendar last year, the Miami GP has become one of the biggest star-studded events in F1. From pop stars to the greatest athletes, the paddocks at the Miami circuit have seen them all. Just recently, Vin Diesel paid a visit to the McLaren garage with his The Fast And The Furious co-star Michelle Rodriguez. Later, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill performed the F1 reflex drill with Alpine driver Pierre Gasly.

Lewis Hamilton hangs out with 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year

Being a part of the sporting elite, Hamilton has access to the most sought-after events. This time around, though, he was the host at Sports Illustrated’s celebration of NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero in Miami.

The duo, going by the photos surfacing on Twitter, seemed to have a great time. SI’s own F1 writer and editor Lydia Mee, through a Twitter post, talked about how amazing the event was. A couple of other photos doing the round of the internet too suggested that Hamilton and the Orlando Magic player enjoyed each other’s company.

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Last year when Banchero was on the track before the start of the Miami GP, F1’s voice, Martin Brundle mistook him for Patrick Mahomes. Paolo recalled the hilarious moment in an interview.

When 6’10” Paolo Banchero was mistaken for 6’3″ Patrick Mahomes

As is the tradition in F1, special pass holders get to walk on the track before the main race starts. Mostly, only celebrities and top-rung athletes get that privilege and it makes for some great interview opportunities for F1 media. Most of the time, Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle conducts those interviews flawlessly. But Brundle had a slip-up when we were in Miami last time around.

Recalling the incident during an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio later last year, Paolo said, “Well, I didn’t know he thought I was Patrick Mahomes.”

“At the end of the interview he was like, ‘I think I got the wrong guy,’ and I was just like, ‘Alright.’ I kept going, and then like 20 seconds later, my phone started going crazy, and everyone was like, ‘He thought you was Patrick Mahomes.'”

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Later today, we’ll have the qualifying, and tomorrow the main race. Can’t wait for the action to start.