In a surprising revelation, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has thrown her support behind Formula 1 and named seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as her favorite driver. Speaking with Howard Stern on Sirius XM, Harris opened up about her passion for the sport, distancing herself from any political motivations and emphasizing that her enthusiasm is genuine.
Harris isn’t the only prominent American politician showing an interest in F1 this year. Former President Donald Trump made waves when he appeared as a guest for McLaren at the Miami Grand Prix. The visit stirred controversy, as many fans criticized McLaren for hosting the polarizing figure. Nevertheless, the team embraced Trump, who showed support for Lando Norris during a historic weekend when Norris clinched his maiden F1 victory.
In contrast, Harris, who is actively campaigning as a presidential candidate, expressed her admiration for the sport without any political agenda. “It’s so good – we love it, our whole family does,” she told Stern. When pressed on whether her interest was simply a campaign tactic, she quickly dismissed the notion, adding, “Oh, god no! I haven’t been able to watch it a lot recently, because I am campaigning.”
Harris highlighted the time zone challenges when trying to catch races live, particularly as F1’s global calendar features events in various countries at different times of the day. However, it’s clear she’s as hooked as any other F1 fan, attributing the surge of U.S. interest in the sport to Netflix’s popular series ‘Drive to Survive,’ which has captivated millions of viewers since its debut in 2019.
When asked directly who her favorite driver is, Harris enthusiastically responded, “Lewis Hamilton, of course.” She further hinted at her knowledge of the sport’s current affairs, mentioning that “He’s leaving Mercedes,” signaling her awareness of ongoing F1 developments. Encouraging Stern to watch, she added, “You should see it, you might get hooked, it’s good stuff.”
Harris’s endorsement adds to Hamilton’s already immense popularity, as the British driver has amassed a global fanbase not just for his on-track success but also for his advocacy on social and environmental issues.
As F1 fever sweeps through the U.S. with record viewership, the sport heads to Austin next week for the United States Grand Prix. Lando Norris continues his pursuit of championship leader Max Verstappen, with six rounds remaining in the 2024 season.
