Red Bull paddock has been buzzing with the prospects of a Max Verstappen-Lando Norris pairing, Norris has pulled off another talking point that could fuel further speculation. With Verstappen on a winning streak and Norris firmly planted as one of F1’s hottest young talents, the thought of these two sharing a team’s banner is tantalizing. Even more intriguing, Norris has recently revealed a victorious feat that transcended the racetrack, this time, it wasn’t on the F1 track but on a padel court in Monte Carlo. Here’s where it gets juicy: Norris teamed up with Verstappen and claimed victory, perhaps giving us a glimpse of what could be an epic team-up.

The speculation around Lando Norris possibly joining Red Bull has been gaining momentum, fueled by hints from Red Bull’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko. Marko’s comments about Norris being an ideal partner for Verstappen, in contrast to Lewis Hamilton, stirred the curiosity. Interestingly, Verstappen and Norris, both have acknowledged their discussions about the possibility of being teammates.

However, Norris remains under contract with McLaren until 2025, making any potential move a distant prospect, but open to future possibilities. Before diving deeper, it’s worth noting the sport that brought this intriguing pairing to light: padel. Though it’s not F1, the game nonetheless demands quick reflexes and a kind of on-the-fly strategy—skills that our racing heroes seem to have in abundance.

Verstappen-Norris along with George Russell and Alex Albon, flexed their competitive muscles on the padel court. The pre-Italian GP press conference took an interesting turn when Lando Norris shared his victorious exploits on the padel court. “So my 1st partner was Alex, we dominated, so we thought the teams were unfair,” Norris candidly remarked. “Then I had to go with Max because he is the newest member to the padel group, and we won again. So the common denominator was I won, and George lost, but it was a lot of fun.“With a chuckle, Norris cheekily pointed out that he was the common denominator for the wins, while George Russell was on the losing side for both games.

So could it be that winning as teammates in Padel could hint at the duo’s underlying compatibility, a point of interest given Red Bull’s search for a harmonious partner for their current superstar? However, as speculation about Norris’s future in F1 continues, this friendly encounter reminds us that these young talents are not just rivals but also friends, united by their passion. It’s worth noting that the sport they chose for their off-track battle, Padel, is itself gaining traction.

Read more: Despite Being Paid $0, Lewis Hamilton Flaunts $9,900 Accessory to Promote LeBron James’ Newest Venture

Padel’s popularity surges with F1 stars and fans

Padel is not just a side note in the paddocks, it’s a burgeoning sport that has captivated the F1 community. The game has been featured in the popular Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive,’ and a padel court popped up at the British GP, offering fans a taste of this rapidly growing sport. Norris isn’t the only driver fond of padel; others like Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz also play in their free time.

British No.1 padel player Tia Norton recently spoke about padel’s visibility and growth at the Silverstone GP: “Seeing the success of the event as well as how much Silverstone fans were enjoying the experience gives me huge belief that padel is going to explode very, very soon… if not already!” The event featured some of Britain’s top padel players, including Tia Norton, Louie Harris, Catherine Rose, Aimee Gibson, and Francis Langan, who not only showcased their skills but also engaged with fans in a series of padel-based challenges. While Padel doesn’t aim to replace tennis, the success of its presence at Silverstone highlights the sport’s potential for growth and enjoyment.

What do you think the padel court win serves as a quirky but compelling subplot, to consider the potent possibilities of a Verstappen-Norris alliance?

WATCH THIS STORY | Max Verstappen’s Chaos Continues: Disqualified for Revenge, Triggers Chaos in Sim Race