FEATURE STORY

Lando Norris set the fastest overall time in the opening pre-season session at Barcelona for McLaren.

FRESH TRACKS

FORMULA 1, THE WORLD’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS MOTOR RACING COMPETITION, IS MAKING ITS MARK ON MIAMI.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FORMULA 1 HISTORY, THE RENOWNED racing event will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens this May, representing the inaugural race of a 10-year deal. The brand-new circuit will span 5.41km, 19 corners, three high-speed straights, with potential for three DRS (drag reduction system) zones with an estimated top speed of 320km/h — ultimately presenting a fresh track for drivers in the U.S. For For Stefano Domenicali, the president & CEO of Formula 1, the U.S. is a burgeoning market for the iconic race. “We are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the U.S., which will be further supported by this exciting second race. We [are] working closely with the team from Hard Rock Stadium and the FIA to not only ensure that the circuit delivers sensational racing but also leaves a positive and lasting contribution for the people in the local community.”

The Miami Grand Prix is undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year, bringing the most talented drivers and racing teams to the Magic City.

The Next Generation of Racing

Haute Living sat down with Lando Norris, a top-ranked racer and the youngest ever British Formula 1 driver for the McLaren team, to discuss his strategy as he heads into his fourth full season of Formula 1 with McLaren.

Haute Living: You have become a pillar in Formula 1 racing at a remarkably young age. What is your strategy to keep rising this season?

Lando Norris: [It’s the] simple things: Keep working hard. Over the years, you learn what motivates you and what keeps you fighting even more to bring you to that next step — and I am learning that still. I am still understanding what gets me into the perfect zone every weekend and every race. I [am] also spending a lot of time with the McLaren team; whether it is on the simulator or just having meetings to review my [performance] from last year to see what I did well in, where I need to improve, and what my strengths and weaknesses are to make improvements on those things going into this next season.

HL: It’s been quite an exciting time for the U.S. with the Miami Grand Prix race this spring. How has it felt to have a greater presence in the U.S.?

LN: It’s been awesome. Austin, so far, has been the only American race; and for me, it’s one I look forward to every season. I’m sure Miami will be very different [as] the circuit is more of a street circuit and brand new. I think Netflix has also really helped American people get into Formula 1. Already last year, Austin was the most attended F1 race ever in history, and I think that comes down to Netflix and the new audience watching, coming in, and being engaged. It’s cool to see the effect and growth Netflix has had on the U.S. and for people to enjoy a new sport.

HL: What is one key lesson you have learned that you will continue carrying with you into this season?

LN: The one thing for me is to always enjoy it; the more I enjoy [the sport], the harder I work, and the harder I work, the better I [perform]. It’s a cycle — the more I enjoy things, the more I will want to do well in them. Secondly, it’s all about the sacrifices you gave to make along the way — they’re all worth it at the end of the day. You will pay the price if you don’t make the sacrifice, and you will see the rewards if you do.

WINNING

SCORE! CHECK OUT THE ATHLETEOWNED WINE LABELS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR PAIRS

BY LAURA SCHREFFLER

THE ATHLETE: Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick is a glass ceiling breaker, best known as the most famous female race car driver of all time. In 2008, she became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series event with her victory in the Indy Japan 300. Transitioning to stock cars, she went on to break records competing in NASCAR’s top series.

THE WINES: Somnium and Danica Rosé THE STORY

After a fated trip to Napa Valley’s Quintessa, a determined Patrick made it her mission to open her own winery, and purchased a vineyard on Howell Mountain in 2009. The development of her label, Somnium, began with a Cabernet Sauvignon in 2011. Following the brand’s success, she added a new wine label, Danica Rosé, an approachable French rosé produced in the traditional Provençal style.

THE ATHLETE: Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade has been named one of the NBA’s 75 best players of all time for a reason: his love of and dedication to the game of basketball. He spent the majority of his 16-year career playing for the Miami Heat, winning three NBA championships;he was also a 13time NBA All-Star, an eight-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a three-time member of the All-Defensive Team.

THE WINE: D Wade Cellars THE STORY

Dwyane’s love of wine was fueled by the food and wine he enjoyed with his teammates Chris Bosh and Lebron James while playing for the Heat. During a 2014 harvest trip to Napa Valley, he decided to partner with friend Jayson Pahlmeyer on a label, and D Wade Cellars was born. The brand currently makes a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Chenin Blanc, and a rosé.

THE ATHLETE: Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson is a former NFL defensive back who played 18 seasons with the then-Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers, winning his Super Bowl ring with the latter. He is the only primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. He was also the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, 1998 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the 2015 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award recipient, and a 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.

THE WINE: Intercept Wines

THE STORY

After falling in love with Napa Valley during training camps with the Oakland Raiders, Woodson launched his own label, Twenty Four, with Robert Mondavi winemaker Rick Ruiz. After retiring, he joined forces with family-owned O’Neill Vintners & Distillers and winemaker Amanda Gorter out of Paso Robles, California, to create a Pinot Noir, red blend, the limited edition Hall of Fame Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Chardonnay. The brand launched regionally in 2019 and nationally in 2020. THE ATHLETE: Greg Norman Australian golfer Greg Norman, otherwise known as the “Great White Shark”, has won more than 90 tournaments worldwide, including two Open Championships, and is a 2001 inductee of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Norman now transcends the game of golf, with over a dozen companies around the world bearing his name and his iconic shark logo, and has designed 100 golf courses across six continents.

THE WINE: Greg Norman Estates THE STORY

Norman founded his Greg Norman Estates in 1996 as an internationally recognized collection of 10 varietals from Australia, New Zealand, and California — including Napa Valley, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara — with fourteen 90+ point scores to its record. Today, Norman runs the brand with his daughter, Morgan-Leigh Norman, who serves as proprietor and brand ambassador.

THE ATHLETE: Drew Bledsoe

Former American pro footballer Drew Bledsoe played 14 seasons in the NFL (1993–2001) as a starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, which earned him a place in the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2011;he also played for the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys.

THE WINE: Doubleback Wines THE STORY

Upon retiring from the NFL in 2007, Bledsoe “doubled back” to his hometown of Walla Walla, Washington, to realize a long-held dream of establishing an estate-focused winery with the goal of crafting a rich and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. The result? Doubleback. True to his systematic success, the very first vintage immediately earned rave reviews.