Max Verstappen, known for his competitive spirit and humour, couldn’t resist taking playful jabs at fellow driver Lando Norris and the FIA. It happened during an online endurance charity event, "The Race for Mental Health," hosted by popular streamer Jimmy Broadbent.
Verstappen, driving with Team Redline, joined the 23-hour simulation race to help raise funds for mental health support, a cause that is close to the F1 champion's heart. In true racing fashion, the event took a hilarious turn as Verstappen and others became targets of light-hearted trolling.
Verstappen’s virtual car livery was designed by fans and quickly gained attention. Decorated with humorous graphics, it included a cheeky nod to Norris’s recent struggles at the Brazilian Grand Prix. On the car’s bonnet, fans added an image of Norris running wide at Interlagos, accompanied by the phrase "Think Different," a playful reference to Norris’s costly race error.
Here is the video:
The livery for Team Redline (Max's team) in the 23HR Race for mental health 💀😭 pic.twitter.com/jValOLpu5G
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) November 9, 2024
The car's side panel featured the FIA logo and a sardonic “Max Verstappen +10 seconds” – poking fun at Verstappen’s frequent battles with race officials over penalties. Another design included a reference to George Russell alongside a comical image of Toy Story’s Woody.
Fans mock Max Verstappen
However, Verstappen wasn’t the only one dishing out jokes; he soon found himself on the receiving end. Viewers had the chance to donate to the charity for a laugh at Verstappen’s expense, including the option to give penalties in the style of FIA stewards. One fan, under the guise of the FIA, donated £100 and imposed a ‘stop-and-go’ penalty on Verstappen’s car.
In good spirits, Verstappen played along, quipping, “Why am I being singled out?” His witty responses escalated when another fan commented on his use of coarse language, referring to a real incident ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix where Verstappen had been reprimanded for using the f-word in a press conference. With mock seriousness, Verstappen replied to the message warning of "community service" penalties: “Whoever did that can p**s off!” showing his readiness to roll with the jokes.