F1 News
Golf mania continues in F1: ‘I’ve won a free lesson with McIlroy’
While drivers still have to complete two races in the current triple header schedule, preparations are high for a different sport in the paddock, namely, golf. Four drivers, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris will complete alongside PGA Tour players at the Netflix Cup in Las Vegas. Gasly and Albon gave an insight on how their preparation is going in Mexico.
Gasly earns lesson with Rory McIlroy
"I did manage to get a free golf lesson from Rory. Well, we did a putt challenge and somehow managed to beat him," Pierre Gasly explained how we won free lesson with famous golfer Rory McIlroy.
"Okay, I had a hole which was pretty much double the size that he had. That was the bet on the line. I told him, okay, if I beat you, I want a free golf class from Rory, and that's going to happen. I'm not sure we'll be able to do it before Vegas, but we've got this big tournament coming up with Alex [Albon]," Gasly continued.
"I think we are in the worst seats at the minute compared to Lando and Carlos. So we might get some practice together next week. We'll see. That's definitely going to be a pretty cool experience to be on the golf course with these pro golfers, and just having Rory [McIlroy] and [Anthony] Joshua last weekend in America was definitely an honour for us and great to have this guy's support," the Frenchman also commented on McIlroy’s investment in Alpine.
Albon’s training
"I think I have a full-time coach, which is my girlfriend [Lilly Muni], but I don't listen to her because she's my girlfriend. So it's going to be tricky. I think we're trying to find some time," Albon commented on his situation leading up to the Netflix Cup.
"I don't know how Pierre's doing, but obviously, a triple header and then we've got a week off, but that week off is normally spent travelling and doing simulator work. I'm going to struggle to get the practice in. We're going to embarrass ourselves quite badly on international television. It's a lot of pressure. It’s on my mind more than the races coming up, which is a problem," Albon concluded.
Netflix Cup
Another American trend is happening in F1, inspired by NFL players who have already tested their skills in golf on TV. Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris will participate in the Netflix Cup on 14 November, alongside PGA Tour golfers Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas.