Verstappen Jokes Teammate Needs a 'Bathtub' for F1 Seat

Max Verstappen was left in stitches during a Team Redline sim racing livestream after cracking a joke at the expense of his teammate, host Luke Crane. The four-time world champion humorously suggested Crane wouldn't fit in an F1 car, proposing he'd need a 'bathtub' cut in half for a seat—a comment that momentarily silenced the stream before Verstappen's own laughter broke the tension.

Why it matters:

In a sport defined by immense pressure and fierce competition, these lighthearted moments offer a rare glimpse into the personality of a driver often perceived as intensely focused. For fans, it reinforces Verstappen's genuine connection to the sim racing community and showcases a more relaxed, humorous side away from the F1 paddock, reminding everyone that even world champions need to unwind.

The details:

• The exchange began when Crane suggested Verstappen might rather not race, prompting the champion to fire back: "You won’t fit in the seat, mate!"
• Verstappen doubled down on the joke, adding, "I will cut a bathtub in half and install that in the car," before noting Crane's silence and concluding, "He didn’t like that one, did he?"
• Earlier in the stream, when asked what sport he'd pursue if not F1, Verstappen deadpanned, "Professional hot dog eating," further adding to the casual and comedic atmosphere of the evening.

What's next:

The brief respite is over for Verstappen, who is now turning his focus back to his Formula 1 duties. The Dutchman is set to be in Detroit on January 15 for the official launch of Red Bull Racing's 2025 car and the unveiling of their new partnership with Ford, marking the start of a new and highly anticipated season.