MASTERS SPECIAL: When Method 1 meets golf

Tomorrow marks the start of one of the crucial well-known golf tournaments on the planet – the 2026 Masters at Augusta National. A discipline of 92 of the world’s greatest golfers will tackle the legendary course, together with a mix of previous champions, current main winners, and all the highest 50 ranked gamers on the planet. It’s an unique occasion brimming with custom and grandeur, and little doubt loads of the celebs of F1 will probably be watching intently.

That’s as a result of golf is without doubt one of the paddock’s hottest sports activities, and lots of of F1’s stars get pleasure from a spherical or two of their downtime. But that’s not the one crossover between racing and golf – from bilateral investments and social media collaborations to driver competitions and F1 workforce golf membership ranges, there’s lots linking the 2 sports activities. Let’s unpack all of the crossovers that carry F1 and golf collectively…

Paddock pastime

In some ways, golf is the right sport for F1 drivers off-track. The slower and comparatively calming nature of the game permits for them to modify off from the extreme, adrenaline-fuelled race weekends – while concurrently offering a possibility to work on psychological power and focus.

The programs are lush and verdant – a pleasant distinction to the asphalt of the race monitor – and there’s an abundance of areas everywhere in the world to play, suiting the approach to life of the ever-travelling drivers.

So, it’s no surprise a lot of the grid enjoys a spherical occasionally – Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez are all recognized to play between races. Some are extra expert than others – with Sainz ranking himself as one of the best within the paddock – however we have to see a driver competitors quickly to essentially settle the scores!

And talking of the Masters – there’s even a driver who has performed on the unique Augusta National golf course.

Fresh off the again of his maiden F1 victory at Miami in 2024, Norris performed a few rounds on the iconic venue, due to McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s connections within the US. Despite missing plenty of sleep after some prolonged celebrations within the Sunshine State, Norris insists it’s his favorite {golfing} reminiscence – a real ‘pinch me’ second for the 2025 World Champion.

Netflix Cup

Netflix produces two comparable docuseries for F1 and golf, with Drive To Survive debuting in 2019 and Full Swing following in 2023 – so it made excellent sense for the streaming service to provide the last word mash-up of the 2 sports activities.

The Netflix Cup featured Albon, Sainz, Gasly and Norris pairing up with a number of the greatest golfers on the planet for a one-off match earlier than the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023.

Americans Justin Thomas, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler and Tony Finau took half within the eight-hole matchplay occasion, which featured a further problem – racing in golf buggies to the inexperienced.

After a good competitors, it was the pair of Sainz and Thomas who have been victorious – though maybe they celebrated a bit too exhausting as Sainz broke the trophy!

Mega McIlroy funding

Last yr, Rory McIlroy clinched the legendary profession Grand Slam after getting the higher of Justin Rose in a playoff to win his first Masters title. The Northern Irishman dropped to his knees after sinking the successful putt in one of the crucial emotional sporting moments of 2025. He’ll be preventing exhausting to defend his title in 2026 – however do you know McIlroy can also be affiliated with an F1 workforce?

Back in 2023, McIlroy grew to become the newest celeb to spend money on Alpine, becoming a member of NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, and Wrexham homeowners and actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. McIlroy was impressed with the Enstone workforce’s imaginative and prescient and was eager to spend money on a sport he had beloved since he was a baby.

Since then, the Northern Irishman has attended a lot of races round his busy competitors schedule, even bringing the Ryder Cup to the Alpine storage at Austin in 2023.

There is clearly mutual appreciation between stars of the game, as Hamilton, Sainz and Norris have additionally all invested in McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ TGL golf league.

Golfers are F1 followers too!

It’s not simply McIlroy who enjoys racing motion on the weekends – loads of professional golfers have been noticed across the paddock over time.

Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter has all the time been a petroleum head – he’s attended races at Silverstone, Las Vegas, and Austin over the previous couple of years, however has been coming to race weekends for effectively over a decade. The Briton even took half in a number of digital Grands Prix again throughout lockdown, stunning the drivers with stable tempo and pure ability.

Elsewhere, two-time main winner Greg Norman additionally enjoys motorsport, partly on account of his shut friendship with 1992 F1 World Champion Nigel Mansell. The Australian attended the season opener in Albert Park this yr whereas 2013 US Open winner Justin Rose was a visitor of McLaren on the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix.

Of course, one other golfer that repeatedly spends time within the paddock – who is a big F1 fan for apparent causes – is Alex Albon’s fiancee, Lily Muni He.

The LPGA golfer met Albon again in 2019 and the pair introduced their engagement earlier this yr – Muni He has performed rounds with a number of of the drivers, nevertheless it doesn’t appear to be a good battle!

Carlando collaborations

As two of the grid’s most distinguished golfers, Sainz and Norris have skilled some distinctive alternatives to play golf in some fascinating locations, with notable athletes.

Ahead of the 2021 United States Grand Prix, Sainz performed a spherical with Poulter, who helped the Spaniard with some ideas and tips on the course. The Williams man additionally pulled as much as Miami Beach golf membership to play with YouTube golfer Grant Horvat.

Meanwhile, Norris took on compatriot Justin Rose in a few golf challenges with Golf Life, whereas additionally taking part within the 2025 BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth together with his buddy and main winner Matt Fitzpatrick. Norris clearly takes his golf significantly, saying that he was extra nervous for that competitors than any of his Grands Prix…

Red Bull and McLaren golf equipment

F1 and golf tools share some fascinating similarities; each use state-of-the-art supplies and expertise to attempt for environment friendly and optimised sporting efficiency. Therefore, it’s maybe no shock that some groups have began producing their very own golf golf equipment, with Red Bull collaborating with TaylorMade and McLaren launching their golf line in April.

Paddock video games

Media day on Thursday at every Grand Prix is a good alternative for the groups and drivers to have some enjoyable earlier than the depth of the weekend actually ramps up.

And usually the paddock is stuffed with actions for workforce members and paddock company to problem themselves throughout quieter moments on monitor. Golf-themed video games ceaselessly function, and naturally, they’re normally tremendous widespread amongst the drivers who’re eager to point out off their abilities.

Australia, Singapore, Great Britain, Baku and Las Vegas have all beforehand arrange placing video games – though Albert Park would possibly have to rethink placing Sainz and Albon with golf golf equipment on stage collectively…