“Good Thing He Got It Right,” NBA Fans Relieved as F1 Veteran Recognizes Paolo Banchero Despite Mistaking Him for Patrick Mahomes Last Year

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is having the time of his life. It is safe to say that Banchero, the first overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft, has lived up to the expectations after bagging the 2023 Rookie of the Year Award. Besides, the 20-year-old turned heads in Miami as Sports Illustrated threw a party to celebrate Banchero’s ROTY award win. Interestingly, seven-time World champion Lewis Hamilton hosted the party in Miami. Turns out, Paolo Banchero’s outing in Miami has made news for a different reason as well.

During his outing at the Miami Grand Prix this time, Paolo Banchero got another chance to speak to F1 driver turned commentator Martin Brundle, with whom he had a hilarious conversation last year. NBA fans were relieved to see Brundle finally identifying Banchero correctly, unlike last year.

F1 pundit finally recognizes Paolo Banchero at Miami GP

Paolo Banchero’s appearance at last year’s Miami GP made news for a hilarious reason. Last year, Banchero was walking past the grid when Martin Brundle came from behind and called Banchero ‘Patrick.’ The two went on to have a conversation. Brundle asked how Banchero felt about the atmosphere to which Banchero gave a warm response.

Moments into the conversation, Martin Brundle realized that he has made an error. He mistook the Magic star for the NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes. “It’s not Patrick, that’s why he ignored me in the beginning,” Brundle said.

Following the hilarious incident, the F1 pundit became the butt of many jokes. The NBA community had spent quite some time throwing jibes at Brundle for his mistake. However, the Sky Sports commentator seems to have corrected his mistake this time round. Banchero and Brundle ran into each other at the same track yet again. Interestingly, Brundle rightly recognized Banchero this time.

“I’ve found Paolo Banchero. I found him last year. I just didn’t get the name right in the beginning. What a year you’ve had since you made me infamous,” Brundle told the 2023 ROTY.

“It’s been a hell of a year and I’m honoured that you know my name now man. You’re great at what you do,”?the Magic Star replied to the former racer. Sports Center has tweeted the snippets of Brundle’s and Banchero’s conversation from last year’s and this year’s Miami GP.?“During last year’s F1 Miami Grand Prix, Martin Brundle thought Paolo Banchero was Patrick Mahomes. This year, he got it right,”?SC captioned the tweet.

NBA fans feel relieved as Martin Brundle recognized Paolo Banchero

Martin Brundle had faced the music from NBA fans for mistaking Banchero for Patrick Mahomes. Now that the Sky Sports commentator has cleared his confusion, fans are letting out a sigh of relief. “Martin Brundle must have been feeling the heat last year! Good thing he got it right this time,” said a fan.

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Hoops fans enjoyed the second meeting.

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Finally, a ‘full circle’ moment.

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Things got better for Martin Brundle.

Fans reasonably liked how Banchero conducted himself.

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More love for the 2023 Rookie of the Year.

WATCH THIS STORY: ?Paolo Banchero, Chet Holgrem, Jabari Smith Jr., and other top rookie prospects for NBA Draft 2022