South African media personality and actor Nomzamo Mbatha is embracing a full-on motorsport moment in Budapest, soaking up the kind of high-profile attention that comes with being front row at the world’s biggest racing events.
Key takeaways
- Nomzamo Mbatha is currently in Budapest, Hungary, where she’s connecting with top names in motorsport.
- She arrived this week for Shell’s V-Power Games, joining more than 60 creators from across the globe.
- The event is centered on physical, mental, teamwork, and driving challenges tied to Shell’s technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari.
- Mbatha posted photos featuring Formula 1 stars Sir Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
- While sharing the moment, she joked about spending 45 minutes making bracelets despite having a “2.3 seconds” pit-stop record.
- Budapest is hosting the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, with Formula 1 celebrating the track’s 40th anniversary this weekend.
Nomzamo Mbatha joins Shell’s V-Power Games in Budapest
Mbatha touched down in Budapest this week, linking up with over 60 international content creators as part of Shell’s V-Power Games. The series is billed as an adrenaline-heavy experience that mixes on-your-feet challenges, problem-solving moments, group-based tasks, and driving components—built around Shell’s long-running technical relationship with Scuderia Ferrari.
Unsurprisingly, the actor quickly became a social media magnet. She shared snapshots on Instagram showing her alongside racing drivers Sir Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, fueling envy among fans who wished they were in the same room.
In additional posts, Mbatha appeared to switch into a more relaxed mode—concentrating as she made bead bracelets or necklaces, and then posing with toy cars for a playful moment. She described the day as a “casual Wednesday,” leaning into the contrast between everyday activities and the glamour of the motorsport world.
She also added a tongue-in-cheek caption that highlighted the irony of taking a long time to create the bracelets even when the sport’s best pit work happens in a blink. The post read: “When your pit-stop is 2.3seconds but this task is taking us 45 minutes (I kid, I kid!)” followed by a laughing emoji and the phrase “world-class focus.”
“Just a casual Wednesday in Budapest with the very best,” she wrote, wrapping the whole experience in a mix of humor and admiration.
Check out their snaps below:
Formula 1 takes over the city for the Hungarian Grand Prix
This weekend, Formula 1 has descended on Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, with the sport marking the circuit’s 40th anniversary. The milestone has added an extra layer of excitement to the already motorsport-saturated atmosphere across the city.
Mbatha’s arrival also positioned her to “fly the flag” among other international personalities, including Kenyan creator George King’ara and Moroccan Hicham Masrar.
For Mbatha, this isn’t unfamiliar territory. She’s been a recognizable presence on the F1 social circuit for years, previously showing up at Grand Prix weekends in Abu Dhabi and, more recently, Monaco. She’s also been joining the paddock glamour alongside other Mzansi stars such as Ama Qamata and Mihlali Ndamase, who’ve been soaking up the excitement this season.
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