Kamala Harris explains ‘love’ for F1 and reveals her favourite driver
The US presidential candidate hit back when asked if her fandom of Formula One was a ‘campaign thing’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kamala Harris has revealed she is a fan of Lewis Hamilton and was sharp in her rebuttal that her passion for Formula One was a “campaign thing.”
The Democratic candidate for US president is now less than a month away from election day as she looks to beat Donald Trump in the race for the White House.
F1 has surged in popularity in the United States in recent years, with Netflix’s Drive to Survive a factor in an increase in interest stateside. The US also now has three races a season, in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas.
And speaking to broadcaster Howard Stern on radio channel Sirius XM this week, Harris said of F1: "It’s so good - we love it, our whole family does."
However, when asked if her fandom for F1 was a “campaign thing”, the US vice-president was firm in responding: "Oh, god no! I haven’t been able to watch it a lot recently because I am campaigning. Also, depending on where they are driving, the time of day."
When asked who her favourite driver was, Harris replied: "Lewis Hamilton, of course." British driver Hamilton is a seven-time F1 world champion, who is joining Ferrari from Mercedes next year, something Harris had knowledge of.
When Stern then admitted he doesn’t “even know who that is”, Harris replied: “He’s leaving Mercedes. You should see it [F1], you might get hooked, it’s good stuff.”
Harris’ opponent Trump was present at the Miami Grand Prix in May and was hosted by McLaren CEO Zak Brown before the race. Trump also congratulated the winner, McLaren’s Lando Norris, after the race.
The next race in the 2024 F1 season is in the US, with the Circuit of the Americas in Austin hosting the United States Grand Prix on 18-20 October.
The US did lose their only driver in August, however, when Logan Sargeant was axed at Williams in favour of Argentine driver Franco Colapinto.
Meanwhile, Trump has declined the opportunity for another TV debate with Harris before the 5 November election.
Trump insists “there will be no rematch” on Fox News and the Republican candidate has also turned down an invitation from CNN in recent months.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments