Max Verstappen and the FIA: a love-hate story that continues even during Formula 1’s off weekends.
The three-time Formula 1 world champion is passionate about Sim Racing, virtual racing in which he often stays up late to play. Due to this “hobby,” the Dutchman had even faced criticism this year for overindulging in it.
His latest stunt, fortunately, he took in good humor after an initial shock. The Red Bull driver participated in an online simulation event dedicated to mental health. The Race for Mental Health, organized by Jimmy Broadbent, is a 23-hour endurance race that featured various single-seaters.
Among them was Max Verstappen, who raced with the Team Redline. Being a charity event streamed online, viewers could actively participate, both by donating and by handing out penalties to the drivers.
Inevitably, Max Verstappen became the favorite target of one fan, who took the opportunity to prank him by pretending to be an FIA commissioner.
The first message he received read: “Stop-and-go penalty for car number 1.” The Red Bull driver took it in stride and raised his voice a bit too much, prompting the prankster to tease him further: “Max, you used offensive and inappropriate language during the broadcast, so here’s another stop-and-go for car number 1. Now it’s time for community service: we are watching.”
Max Verstappen quickly responded: “Why am I being targeted?” The driver then tried to contest the penalty, claiming the car number was wrong, so the sanction was not applicable. Additionally, he said, “So anyone who did this can go f*** themselves!”
Max Verstappen’s team got involved in the spirit of the event, decorating his car livery with images of Lando Norris running wide, faces of George Russell, and FIA penalty notices for the penalties the Dutchman had received during the 2024 Formula 1 season.
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