Jacob Brown
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton made a pitstop on 5th Avenue in New York City to promote a new partnership between Whatsapp and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, treating New Yorkers to a thrilling F1 experience in front of the iconic Empire State Building.
Unprecedented Event on Manhattan’s Famous Street:
Hamilton delighted spectators by performing donuts midday on 5th Avenue, marking the first time an F1 car has graced the streets of Manhattan, according to organizers.
Reflecting on the experience, Hamilton expressed his disbelief, stating, “It was surreal. I never thought I would one day drive an F1 car down 5th Avenue.”
WhatsApp’s Contribution:
WhatsApp, as part of the partnership, introduced a new race car emoji in their app platform, resembling the black and teal open-wheel car used by Mercedes in real life. A life-sized replica of the emoji race car was also featured at the event.
Anticipation for Miami Grand Prix:
The event served as a precursor to the upcoming 2024 Miami Grand Prix scheduled for May 3-5, highlighting the growing presence of both WhatsApp and F1 in the United States.
