Shaquille O’Neal’s Unexpected Career Move Leaves F1 Driver Confused

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Shaquille O’Neal’s Unexpected Career Move Leaves F1 Driver Confused

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Abdul Bari Khan | Last updated May 4, 2026 8:56 AM ET

The Formula One Miami Grand Prix had the glamour as usual, with plenty of celebrities in attendance. But for NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, the race involved another duty, one that even left winner Kimi Antonelli confused.

The 54-year-old Hall of Famer is currently committed to his role as an NBA analyst for Inside the NBA. But despite the hectic playoff schedule, Shaq found time to attend the Miami Grand Prix, only to entertain the crowd.

Dubbed “Hard Rock International Lights Up Miami Grand Prix,” the concert featured several musicians such as DJ Zedd, Nelly, Marshmello, and none other than DJ Diesel, aka Shaq. The NBA legend performed on Saturday after the qualifying round.

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Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who secured pole position earlier that day, was answering media questions far from the concert when he got distracted. When a reporter asked him a question, he responded, “No, I got distracted by the DJ. He looked like Shaquille O’Neal for a second.”

Charles Leclerc, who was sitting next to him, immediately shut down Antonelli’s claim by responding, “No he’s not.” The Mercedes driver then agreed that he was mistaken. However, it was indeed the NBA legend performing. Shaq even responded in the comments section, writing, “That’s DJ Diesel not me big dawg.”

With an estimated net worth of $500 million, the hustle never stops for Shaq. He is well known for involving himself in various ventures. While being a DJ is perhaps his most unexpected pursuit, the four-time NBA champion continues to thrive in every field he steps into.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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