Lando Norris after qualifying in P3 for the Hungarian GP

Norris' 2025 Miami GP nearly ended in Safety Car crash bizarre mishap

16:50, 23 Aug

byNorberto Mujica

Lando Norris has admitted that he experienced one of the most unusual and “scary” moments of his Formula 1 career earlier this season.

The situation? Sneezing during the Miami Grand Prix Sprint race while leading under the safety car.

The McLaren driver, who went on to win the Sprint and finish second in Sunday’s main race behind teammate Oscar Piastri, confessed on the Quadcast podcast that the unexpected sneeze forced him to shut his eyes and fear a collision.

Asked if he had ever sneezed in his helmet before, Norris replied: “I did, actually. The other week.”

Pressed on whether it was frightening, the Briton explained: “Yeah. I mean, because you shut your eyes… I think it was under the safety car.

"I think it was Miami, it was under safety car. Fernando’s [Alonso] car was in the wall.

"We were under safety car, under double yellows. So you’re going super slow, and you’re really close to the guy in front," added the Brit for realistic context.

Norris forced to shut his eyes whilst driving

Norris recalled the split second of panic as the sneeze hit.

“And you know when you just feel it coming?

"I’m like, ‘Oh my God,’ there’s a car just behind me.

"And I didn’t even have the reaction to hit the brakes, because your eyes just shut.

I was scared I was going to get rear-ended.

"But yeah, I think it was honestly one of the first times that’s ever happened to me.”

The moment, fortunately for Norris, passed without incident, and the Brit went on to secure maximum points in the Sprint, a highlight of his 2025 campaign so far.