The 2023 Las Vegas GP is set to be a spectacular event, marking the first of ten annual appearances in the city. Being hosted by a plethora of venues, one such venue boasts none other than Mark Wahlberg, in collaboration with the McLaren Formula 1 team. Mark Wahlberg’s involvement goes beyond mere hosting. He’s taking a hands-on approach, leading the Vista F1 x McLaren race experience at Drai’s Las Vegas Rooftop Terrace.

But that wasn’t likely enough McLaren experience for Wahlberg, so he hijacked Lando Norris‘ McLaren!

What happened to Lando Norris’ car before the Las Vegas GP?

In an Instagram video shared by Wahlberg himself, he gave a detailed description of why he did what he did. Here’s a quick rundown: In the video, Wahlberg is standing and leaning over the McLaren car and his daughter is the ad hoc pilot. It’s then he says to his daughter, “We’re gonna steal this car!”

Followed by a playful “Lando You Want Your Car Back? Come say Hi! to Gracy!” Seems like Lando Norris will have to throw in some extra ransom to get the car back! Noticeably, Wahlberg also was part of a light-hearted interview with McLaren CEO Zak Brown, at the Netflix Cup 2023.

Read More: Lando Norris Joins Forces With Max Verstappen to Give Verdict on Las Vegas GP’s “Clown Show”

Speaking of Las Vegas GP and Lando Norris, even if he gets his car back, the news is, it’s gonna be “a tough one [race]!”

Las Vegas GP: Lando Norris’ uncertain bet on McLaren’s winning streak

Despite riding a wave of remarkable success, with podium finishes in Singapore, Japan, Austin, Sao Paulo, and Qatar, the Las Vegas Strip Circuit presents a unique challenge to Norris and his team. However, the Las Vegas circuit, with its similarities to Baku and Monza, presents a different challenge.

Norris noted, “There’s the long straights, and low downforce is not where our priority has been this season with development.” This acknowledgment highlights the circuit’s variance from McLaren’s strengths and the team’s developmental focus.

In a light-hearted moment during the Wednesday evening press conference, Norris joked about his predictive skills, “I don’t like this question anymore, I’m always wrong whatever I say!” However, his humor didn’t mask the serious consideration he gave to the upcoming race. He conceded, “Maybe not as confident as where we have been the last few weekends but no idea at the same time.”

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As the Las Vegas night lights up with the roar of engines, Norris’s approach to the race remains grounded in realism mixed with optimism. It’s a narrative of a driver and a team facing an unfamiliar challenge, ready to gamble against the odds in the city famous for its high-stakes environment.