The Formula 1 grid is always packed with celebrities, and the Qatar race was no exception.
Presenter Simon Lazenby and 2009 world champion Jenson Button spotted Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand in attendance, and couldn’t resist asking him a few questions – with the 46-year-old former defender admitting it had been a while since his last race. He joked with former Brawn and McLaren ace Button that they hadn’t seen each other since Monaco – and said the development in technology is what draws him back to F1.
Asked who he was supporting in the desert showdown, Ferdinand said: “I’m obviously following Lewis Hamilton, being an English guy I love him. But Max Verstappen as well is a super talent. I respeect elite sportsmen and he’s one of them. This season has been crazy, because I’ve not been for so long the technology has gone through the roof.”
But he was less open when asked for a prediction for the Manchester City against Liverpool Premier League showdown – on at the same time as the grand prix. Presenter Lazenby said: “Last one, and it is football. Can we get a quick prediction on Liverpool against Manchester City, come on it kicks off very shortly” to which Ferdinand sharply replied: “I don’t care about them two teams.”
And Ferdinand even refused to comment on former club Man United’s first victory under new boss Ruben Amorim, with the Red Devils blowing away Everton 4-0 before the race, adding: “I’m here for the F1, man. I’ll talk about football another day. I’m just buzzing to be here, I love the F1 and I’d love to see it in football as well.”
He wasn’t the only former England star on the grid, with ex-Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler also making an appearance. And he didn’t shirk an answer to the question, telling Lazenby “Liverpool, obviously.”