WATCH: “We’ll catch you at the checkered flag,” Astronauts from the International Space Station send a special message to F1 drivers ahead of the US GP

Formula 1 goes 'out-of-the-world' in preparation for the United States GP.

WATCH: “We’ll catch you at the checkered flag,” Astronauts from the International Space Station send a special message to F1 drivers ahead of the US GP

NASA Astronaut (via X/ NASA)

Before the Grand Prix of the United States goes lights-out, Formula 1 gets good luck wishes from the space. The message, in the form of a video, features an astronaut floating in the microgravity of the ISS. NASA’s Astronaut wishes the drivers and teams alike from 250 miles above us.

Just after a few hours of uploading, by no surprise, the video goes viral on the internet. The ISS astronauts’ message adds delicious excitement to the upcoming US Grand Prix, held at COTA in Austin. The video emphasizes the global reach of the sport and the inspiration it provides. 

YouTube video

In the video, the Astronaut praises the F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. But the drivers were not the only ones getting complimented by the astronaut. They gave a brief shout-out to the teams as well, saying,

FS Video
Every single Formula One driver is incredible at their craft. Shout out to the teams who do the math, engineer the parts, and take the technical wins. You are our heroes
An Astronaut said in a vidieo posted on X by F1

The Astronaut emphasized that an F1 race takes about as long as it takes the ISS to do one lap around Earth. And further added, “We’ll catch you at the checkered flag.” The Astronaut hyped up one of the best race weekends on the F1 calendar. The message only leaves a positive and humanitarian testament around motorsports. 

US Grand Prix hosted NASA at the Circuit of the Americas

Ahead of the Austin GP at COTA, Formula 1 hosted the guests of NASA in the paddock. This marked the first time the public saw NASA’s new Artemis crew transportation vehicle. Austin, which is in Texas, has a strong connection to space activities in its history. Houston in Texas was the hub from where the Apollo missions were launched back in the 1960s.

Fernando Alonso at Spa
Fernando Alonso (Via IMAGO)

NASA also brought a small model of the Space Launch System, or “SLS,” which is, in fact, a very big rocket. F1 also organized the cutouts of Artemis II astronauts, which the fans could take photos with, and also the NASA symbols. 

Both NASA and F1 have a big presence in Texas. Josh Seitman, Director of Commercial Partnerships at COTA, said, 

We were thrilled to have NASA at the USGP this year. NASA was known for its intelligence, honesty, and determination, as well as its commitment to education, and that's what we wanted fans to experience at COTA

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