While it’s not uncommon to spot celebrities around the paddock during a Formula 1 event, some individuals stand out so much that they overshadow both the sport and celebrity culture. As the Singapore Grand Prix approaches this weekend, it seems that several F1 drivers are in the company of internet meme legend, Hide the Pain Harold.
Known officially as András István Arató, Harold is a retired Hungarian electrical engineer and former stock photo model whose expression suggests a perpetual discomfort. In the early 2010s, Harold’s stock images, often depicting him seated with a laptop and a coffee cup, shot to fame and became iconic as a meme, embodying the essence of “subtle despair” for a whole generation.
Interestingly, “subtle despair” also perfectly captures the feelings of Lando Norris fans these days. The McLaren F1 driver currently holds second place in the World Driver’s Championship but is trailing the reigning champion, Max Verstappen, by a significant 59 points.
On the surface, Lando’s position looks decent. However, a problematic history of falling short, rising competition from teammate Oscar Piastri who seems disinterested in Lando’s championship run, and confusing strategies from McLaren all contribute to uncertainty regarding his success despite the impressive car he drives week after week.
That being said, I’m offering a dozen internet brownies for the best F1-related Harold meme shared in the comments. Here’s a starting meme from me:
If you have a tip or question for the author, you can contact him at: chris.tsui@thedrive.com
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