MIAMI | The paddocks became agitated around 2:10 p.m. when former American President Donald Trump appeared behind the scenes of the Hard Rock Stadium and behind the garages of the F1 teams.
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The 45e American president, to whom the organizers of the Miami Grand Prix had refused access to the race last week, according to the Washington Post, still showed up.
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Remember that he and his financier, Steven Witkoff, were persona non grata on the site since a partisan meeting was planned in the suite on the roof of the paddocks rented by Witkoff, a wealthy American businessman.
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Through the very exclusive Shell Bay golf club that he recently opened in Hallandale Beach, south of Fort Lauderdale, he wanted to sell tickets at $250,000 each in order to meet Trump six months before the American election .
The strategy came to the attention of the Grand Prix organizers who sent a formal notice to Witkoff warning him to abandon his project, otherwise the contract for the sequel would be terminated.
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Visit to McLaren
We knew that the American secret services had approached the organizers of the Miami GP in order to prepare for a possible visit by Trump.
From the start of the day, men in dark jackets, ties and service pins swarmed the site. Like those of the anti-terrorist brigade.
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Entering the paddock lane behind the garages, accompanied by Witkoff, Trump greeted the ton of curious people who were excited by his presence. And he rushed into the garage of the McLaren team where he spoke with the managers.
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General manager Zak Brown welcomed him and explained the workings of his team for many minutes.
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The candidate for the Republican nomination waved his fist in the air on a few occasions and even his red “Make America Great Again” cap in the pit line, in front of thousands of spectators in the stands. It didn’t take much for the crowd to get involved.
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He then headed to his suite in the paddocks.
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