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Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has opened up on his love for Formula One after hosting former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner at a game this week.
Steiner is in Miami promoting next month’s Grand Prix, and enjoyed a night courtside at the Heat, watching Embiid’s 76ers win 109-105 on the road.
The high-profile pair met shared some time after the game, with Embiid a fervent fan of the sport, alongside his day job in the NBA.
Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport, Embiid said: ‘I’m very pᴀssionate about F1. Growing up in Cameroon , I lived for soccer and F1.
‘I haven’t been to Miami because it’s during playoffs but my friends say it’s the best race in the US. It’s great to meet Guenther and I want to find ways to get more involved in the sport.’
Miami Dolphins CEO and F1 Miami Managing Partner Tom Garfinkel, NBA star Joel Embiid and Miami GP ambᴀssador Guenther Steiner (left-right) pose after the game
Garfinkel and Steiner had courtside seats at the Heat’s game, watching Embiid and Co win
Steiner, meanwhile, also spoke to Mail Sport about his own history with basketball – revealing that it’s the second time he’s been to a game in the space of a week.
‘I follow NBA a little bit, but I’m not a big fan,’ he said just hours before heading to Kaseya Center. ‘I went to two games now in a week… last week I was in Charlotte because my daughter wanted to go to a Hornets game.
‘So I’m going to a second one now, and I’m really looking forward to it. Some of the Dolphins players will be there as well, Tom Garfinkel [Dolphins CEO] with me. It will be a great evening out.’
Before his night at the NBA, Steiner had a busy day of media in his new role as ambᴀssador of the Miami Grand Prix.
Steiner chatted to Embiid about the NBA player’s love for Formula 1 after the game had ended
Former Haas boss Steiner smiles as he sits courtside, wearing his black Miami GP sweater
The former Haas boss is set to be the face of the race next month, and gave his thoughts on why Miami has become such a popular destination on the F1 calendar.
‘In F1, people don’t like change, they don’t want new things,’ he says. ‘They’re skeptical, and you have to prove yourself… Miami has done that. They proved that it’s a different approach.
‘It’s not only about the car race, it’s about the entertainment factor. It’s the perfect place. Miami is a party town, food, fashion, it’s got everything. It was doubted, it was a new concept, having a race behind the stadium.
‘The first year is always difficult, because you have to learn so much. But all the things which were not right were fixed for the second year and they keep on doing it. Miami GP is now just part of F1, nobody doubts it anymore – we’re going to Miami. It seems like it has been here for 10 years.’
