First Lady Melania Trump has spoken about her childhood love of cars as she joined President Donald Trump at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington DC. Speaking to Fox Sports reporter Jamie Little, Trump said her father, Viktor Knavs, introduced her to motor racing when she was young.

“When I was growing up, my father introduced me to the races and to the race cars,” she said. “He introduced me to the design of cars and the mechanics and also the speed — and I loved every minute of it.”

The first couple travelled to the race in the presidential motorcade before taking several honorary laps around the track. President Trump also waved the green flag to start the IndyCar race.

The event is being hosted by IndyCar as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Trump aide Natalie Harp was also seen at the event speaking with the president’s son, Eric Trump. Trump and Harp rarely appear at the same event.

Harp’s presence comes amid scrutiny of her close relationship with the president. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff made an innuendo about their working relationship at a rally in Georgia last week.

Harp, a former One America News personality, has been reported to have sought to remain close to Trump and has written affectionate handwritten notes to him. She has also previously been described as the “human printer” for carrying a portable printer to produce copies of articles and social media posts flattering the president.

Harp, a cancer survivor, has credited a Trump administration initiative known as the Right to Try Act with helping to save her life.

Melania and Trump appeared together at the race after the first lady made another public appearance with her husband earlier in the week.

At a White House Rose Garden event, Melania opened with the words: “I heard you missed me. Here I am.”

It was her first public appearance with the president in more than a month. The couple had previously been seen together on 19 July at the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey.

During the Rose Garden event, Melania announced a partnership involving IndyCar and Fox Sports to expand scholarship opportunities for young people leaving the foster care system. The initiative includes funding for programmes at Indiana University and Purdue University. “Fostering the Future graduates will build new companies, launch new industries, and redefine what is possible for all Americans,” she said. “Fostering the Future is more than an educational initiative; it is generational investment in America’s talents pipeline.”

International motorsport officials also welcomed Sunday’s race.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the event as a celebration of American history and racing. “The Freedom 250 INDYCAR race pairs 250 years of American achievement with a sport that embodies speed, ingenuity and the freedom of the open road,” he said. “This is a landmark event, and it is an honour for the FIA to be a part of it. Congratulations to President Trump, the US Government, INDYCAR, our Member Club ACCUS, and all involved on making this vision a reality.”