Lando Norris wins Austrian GP as Bernie Ecclestone makes historic podium debut at 94
Austrian Grand Prix: Lando Norris Triumphs and Bernie Ecclestone Makes Historic Podium Appearance
The Austrian Grand Prix delivered a blend of triumph and nostalgia on Sunday as McLaren’s Lando Norris captured victory, and former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone made his first-ever grand prix podium appearance at the age of 94.
Ecclestone, the architect of Formula 1’s commercial success for four decades, attended the race at the Red Bull Ring to present the President’s Medal to Norris on behalf of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Sulayem was unable to attend the event, deputizing the iconic figure to represent him.
“I think it’s really nice that the president gives a personal congratulations to the winning competitor,” Ecclestone stated. “As he could not attend the race here in Austria, he asked me to present his medal for him, which I am pleased and honored to do. It was also great to be there as, though it might seem strange, this was the first time in almost 70 years in this sport that I’ve actually been on the podium.”
Ecclestone, who was known for leaving races early during his tenure, confessed this was an unusual experience for him. Having attended the very first Formula 1 championship grand prix at Silverstone in 1950, the Briton’s podium appearance marked a symbolic blend of the sport’s storied history and its current era.
Lando Norris Adds Humility to His Historic Victory
Lando Norris, who celebrated his second career win, added a touch of humility to the historic moment. The 23-year-old jumped off the top step of the podium to stand level with Ecclestone, a nod to the Briton’s diminutive stature and larger-than-life presence in the sport’s history.
The victory also marked yet another milestone in F1, as Norris became the winner of the sport’s 1,136th championship grand prix. The President’s Medal, a new tradition introduced at the end of the 2022 season, further enriched the occasion with its detailed nod to race history.
A Race to Remember: The Past Meets the Present
Sunday’s race in Austria will be remembered not just for McLaren’s triumph but for the poignant moment when one of F1’s founding fathers shared the spotlight with one of its brightest young stars—a bridge between the past, present, and future of the sport.
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