Spain World Cup winner Aymeric Laporte attended the Madrid Grand Prix as a special guest of BWT Alpine Formula One Team, bringing his gold winners’ medal to the circuit two months after helping Spain claim the FIFA World Cup title.
Laporte, 32, who started all eight matches for Spain in a tournament-winning campaign that saw the team concede just one goal, joined Alpine at the Madrid circuit alongside his wife Sara, for whom it was a first experience at a Formula One race. Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup Final in July.
“It is always a special experience to watch Formula One live so thanks to Alpine for the invitation and hosting me and my wife, Sara,” Laporte said. “One thing I particularly love is the sound of the engine. We were stood right by the garage exit as Pierre drove out and it’s just such a cool moment.”
The Athletic Bilbao defender had played in his club’s 1-1 La Liga draw with Elche the day before travelling to Madrid for the race. He was one of several high-profile football figures present at the circuit on race day.
Alpine also welcomed Zinedine Zidane, who serves as an Alpine Cars ambassador, and team investor Trent Alexander-Arnold. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and former defender Sergio Ramos also visited the garage to meet Alpine executive Flavio Briatore, while Zidane held a meeting with Briatore ahead of the Grand Prix.
“The grid was very cool, very busy, it was like being on a football pitch with so many people I play with and against on there,” Laporte said. “I saw my mate Marc [Cucurella] who played next to me in the World Cup, which was nice. Most of the Madrid team and Spain were there.”
Laporte said he hoped to attend further races in the future, describing the overall visit as “a fantastic experience.”