OK, so the Professional Golfers’ Association won’t be calling seven-time F1 champion after his racing career is over.
Formula 1’s high-profile Miami Grand Prix weekend properly got under way Wednesday with a charity golf event where seven-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton teamed with NFL great Tom Brady.
The inaugural Miami Grand Prix will take place this Sunday at the Miami International Autodrome, the first in a 10-year deal as part of Formula 1’s United States expansion.
Several events are planned during the build-up and already drivers have been soaking up the U.S. atmosphere, with title leader Charles Leclerc present at the Miami Marlins game on Tuesday, with George Russell a VIP at the Miami Heat fixture earlier in the week.
😎⛳️ @IWC pic.twitter.com/rI9Wk7f2oG
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 4, 2022
As part of an event held by IWC Schaffhausen at the Miami Beach Golf Club Wednesday, Hamilton and Brady took on NFL legend Marcus Allen and entrepreneur Brandon Okpalobi.
It wasn’t the first time Hamilton and Brady had met—but it was the first time on the golf course as a pair, while for Hamilton he conceded it was his first time in three years on the fairway.
“It’s out first time in Miami as a sport and the anticipation for this event has just skyrocketed, everyone is so excited,” said Hamilton.
“I’m just useless… I’m pretty good at getting it out of the water.”
Hamilton quipped beforehand that he “picked up a little grass” during practice shots and joked that he “would like to say I was a little like Tiger (Woods) with the putting! Otherwise I’m just useless… I’m pretty good at getting it out of the water.”
Across a driving and chip challenge the teams were, as you could probably have guessed, tied. There was trash talking galore as the sporting legends exchanged barbs, and tried to bend the rules where possible by taking additional shots.
“I’ll stick to driving on the track,” joked Hamilton, as one of his shots went high, wide and not very far.
Brady is set to be one of the leading sporting legends present at the Miami Grand Prix, with Michael Jordan, the Williams sisters and LeBron James also on the attendee list.
“What they’ve done at the Hard Rock Stadium is pretty amazing, and it speaks to the growth of this state,” said Brady.
Hamilton is already eager to check out the 19-turn Miami International Autodrome.
“It’s exciting when you go out and find a new course, and find out different features of the circuit,” said Hamilton.
“It has been a dream of our sport to be in Miami. Our sport will hopefully earn its right to be here.”
Keyword: Formula 1 Champ Lewis Hamilton 'Useless' When it Comes to Driving in Miami