Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc shared a humorous moment during a game of padel, where Leclerc narrowly avoided hitting the wall. The game took place at Pink Padel, located at the Al Riffa Club in Bahrain. Verstappen, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, and Daniel Ricciardo were also spotted playing padel at the same location. This friendly match served as a break for the drivers before the upcoming 2024 Formula 1 season.
Leclerc and Verstappen teamed up against their opponents, with Alonso also present at the meetup. However, the duo struggled to keep up with their rivals on the padel court. Leclerc’s eagerness caused him to sprint towards the wall, almost crashing into it while attempting a shot. In contrast, Verstappen decided to concede the point, bending down in defeat.
Despite this playful game, Verstappen’s dominance in the previous season, winning 19 out of 22 races, has made him the favorite for the first race of the 2024 season. His performance during testing in Bahrain further solidified his position as a front-runner. Even his competitors, like Alonso, have acknowledged Verstappen’s potential victory in the season opener.
The RB20, engineered by Aero-genius, proved to be a remarkable car, even when Verstappen drove it in hybrid mode during testing. Verstappen himself taunted his opponents about his strong performance in the qualifying session of the Bahrain GP. However, it remains to be seen how the rival teams will respond to Verstappen’s dominance throughout the season.
Regardless, the 2024 season promises exciting racing action for Formula 1 fans. The anticipated changes to the grid add to the anticipation surrounding this season.