Shaquille O’Neal, perhaps better known by his nickname Shaq, is a genuine fan of Formula 1. He’s been attending Grand Prix races since the early 2000s and his enthusiasm for the premier open-wheel series hasn’t waned over the years, with the seven-foot-one former NBA player playing a semi-important role in the recent U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.
After Sunday’s exciting race had concluded with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen the winner, Shaq was seen riding in the back of a heavily customized Cadillac Eldorado convertible on his way to the podium ceremony. In his hands was the U.S. Grand Prix winner’s trophy, which he would later deliver to Verstappen before the Dutchman, along with podium sitters Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez, began celebrating with a customary champagne shower.
The Cadillac that Shaq was seen in was outfitted with a huge set of bull horns framing the windshield and also featured a limousine-style rear seating layout with a wraparound bench seat, cupholders and a footrest.
This massive American drop-top was the perfect chariot for Shaq to hitch a ride in, as it’s long enough to accommodate the former star center’s massive frame and celebrates the race’s Austin roots with its cowboy-inspired exterior. We tried to find more information on this custom Cadillac, who built it and what it was originally constructed for, but our search unfortunately came up dry.
Shaq’s appearance at the U.S. Grand Prix was a major talking point on Twitter and elsewhere online after the race, with many users marveling at his size relative to the slender and comparably short Formula 1 drivers. Shaq was one of several American celebrities that attended the race, with Ben Stiller, Serena Williams and George Lucas also spotted on the grounds at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday.
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It is an acknowledgement of the area. UT, "Hook em horns", Texas Longhorns. Heck UT still keeps a real bull for games. It is a big deal. Big deal.
The only '69 Cadillac in that conveyance that Shaq rode in, was some exterior sheetmetal. It was obvious this "thing" was cobbled together on some sort of truck frame. Maybe the fans and we viewers were supposed to be impressed with it, but I thought it was embarrasing for Shaq.
Not a truck frame. That is a 69 Coupe Deville frame, motor and drivetrain. The art car design built on top of the Cadillac is steel, wood and leather.
That is not an eldorado. Its a 1969-1970 DeVille or Fleetwood. Judging by the length, I would guess its a 4 door Fleetwood 75 with the roof cut off and Shaq is sitting in what would have been the trunk.
Correct that's a 69 Deville, but a 2 door Coupe. And yes Shaq is sitting where the trunk used to be.
I thought it was the Texas book depository all over again from my small cell phone screen till I enlarged it. 🤦🏻
What a beauty, took about 4 hrs to build right. Come on Shaq, even you wouldn't own that.
At least Shaq had headroom and leg room.
Thumbs up for Shaq. Thumbs down for Serena and Megan Thee Stallion. No class except low class. Money makes no difference.
Sorry, Shaq.
Your "Cadillac" is the result of money in excess of brains.
With all the technology of F-1 and this is the best they got.. It make a great basket ball player look stupid.. Sorry but they should have used a EV like F-1 is headed for.