Lando Norris revealed he has a back injury as he explained why he missed out on his annual appearance at the popular golf Pro-Am event at Wentworth.
The McLaren driver, who missed out on victory in Madrid on Sunday after a badly timed safety car period and had to settle for third place, was present on-site on Wednesday at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am – an event he appears in annually.
However, in conversation with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, the reigning F1 world champion divulged that he had a sore back, a few days on from the race at the Madring. F1 next races in Azerbaijan on Saturday, 26 September.
"I'm not playing, I've got a bad back, I'm getting old.", Norris told Koepka, as he interacted with golfers and fans on the sidelines.
Norris also spoke to Spanish golfer Eugenio Chacarra, who asked: "I was talking to the crowds yesterday and they were saying: 'Lando's going to be there.' You're not playing? Your back is bad?" Norris then nodded.
The 26-year-old did comment on the news that Monaco will host a sprint race next year after the 2027 calendar was published on Wednesday.
“Interesting,” he said. “Main thing is FP1 and then qualifying on the Friday, which is a challenge – not a lot happens in the race, but the challenge is one practice session and then straight in.
“It’ll be more relying on data from this year. Tougher for us as drivers as you don’t have time to build up to things, probably risk a bit more earlier, which is normally when you see the difference between people who can get comfy and try things.
“It’s more exciting for people watching.”
Norris, who has two grand prix wins to his name this year, is currently fourth in the world championship standings, 106 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli with nine rounds remaining.
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