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F1 fan, 85, gets VIP treatment after viral Tiktok video

F1 fan, 85, gets VIP treatment after viral Tiktok video

BBC News12-07-2025
An 85-year-old F1 fan was thrilled to receive a unique VIP experience after going viral on TikTok.In the clip, viewed more than four million times, David Wallduck was visibly emotional as his daughter Lucy surprised him with tickets to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.Following the moment, he received messages of support from every F1 team and an invitation to visit the Alpine paddock.Mr Wallduck, from Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, said: "Getting to go in the Alpine pit lane and paddock was a great experience - watching close up the wheel changes and seeing the cars and drivers getting ready to race."
As a huge fan of racer Lando Norris, Mr Wallduck was also delighted to watch the McLaren driver's first home victory at the British Grand Prix.The 85-year-old has never missed following a single F1 competition since it started when he was 10 in 1950.Despite that, this trip was his first time watching the sport in the flesh.His daughter told presenter Babs Michel on BBC Radio Northampton: "It really was an amazing weekend, and it was just everybody who made it such an unforgettable experience for dad."He doesn't know if he'll ever get to go to the F1 again, and he's just lived the best day there yesterday."
Mr Wallduck expressed disbelief when he was told the video of him learning about the surprise went viral. He asked: "Why would people want to watch me?"His daughter recalled that while at Silverstone, "quite a few people" recognised him and asked for selfies."It's just such a lovely community, the F1 community," she said.
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BBC Farmwatch: The 91-year-old with a passion for Suffolk Punches

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