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

Danny Fullbrook

BBC News, Hertfordshire

Lucy Wallduck An older man wearing a black cap, blue headphones, and a black shirt stands in a motorsport pit area. Behind him, team members in pink and black uniforms work near monitors, with spectators visible through the open garage.Lucy Wallduck

David Wallduck was thrilled to get up close to the action at Silverstone

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.”

Lucy Wallduck And older man and young woman wearing VIP passes stand in front of a Formula 1 garage labelled. Team members are visible inside working on equipment and cars.Lucy Wallduck

Lucy Wallduck surprised her father with tickets to see the Grand Prix in a video that was shared on TikTok

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.”

Lucy Wallduck A man stands in front of a Formula 1. He is wearing a navy shirt with pink and white accents and holding a jacket. Team members are visible inside the garage, and the ground appears wet.Lucy Wallduck

Mr Wallduck has been an F1 fan since he was 10, but had never watched it in real life

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.


Continue Reading