Max Verstappen's 'Crazy' Golf Cart Overtake Goes Viral, Terrifying Kelly Piquet

Max Verstappen's 'Crazy' Golf Cart Overtake Goes Viral, Terrifying Kelly Piquet

Why it matters:

Even during the F1 summer break, Max Verstappen continues to make headlines, this time with a lighthearted but dramatic off-track incident that captivated fans globally. It offers a glimpse into his competitive spirit outside the cockpit, even as he faces a challenging season.

The big picture:

A viral video captured the reigning three-time world champion playfully veering off-path in a golf cart to overtake another vehicle, eliciting a scream from his girlfriend Kelly Piquet. Formula E driver Antonio Felix da Costa filmed and shared the moment, which quickly spread across social media.

Details:

• Verstappen, with Piquet and her daughter as passengers, unexpectedly swerved right, bypassing another golf cart on the grass with a sudden 'overtake'.
• Piquet's surprised shriek was met with laughter from others present, highlighting the playful nature of the stunt.
• This comes as Verstappen enjoys a break before the Formula 1 season resumes next weekend at Zandvoort, his home Grand Prix.

Zoom out:

Verstappen's current F1 season has been challenging, with him currently 97 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, making his title chances slim.

What's next:

• Despite the recent struggles, Verstappen confirmed his commitment to Red Bull at the Hungarian GP.
• He also stated he plans to work on his communication style over race radio, aiming to be more motivating rather than expressing frustration. "If I'm angry about something and the team hears that, it also does something to them, because then they think: 'Oh, Max is angry, we can't approach him.' Or they get a little nervous," Verstappen told The Athletic. "I want to try to be motivating and supportive, which is not always easy when you've dominated as a team and then fall back a bit."