Race and classic pictures

F1 rivals battle for Padel supremacy

After surviving pre-season testing in the scorching Bahrain sun and ahead of this week’s opening race at Sakhir, F1's finest, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, and Daniel Ricciardo, decided to settle their differences ahead of time... on the padel court.

Turns out, swapping high-speed corners for lobs and volleys doesn't guarantee success. The quartet’s skills out on the track didn’t translate perfectly to the court.

We're talking questionable backhands, dubious footwork, and enough grunting to rival a weightlifting competition.

One thing's for sure, though: amidst the competitive spirit and playful trash talk, these four fierce racketeers proved that even in the cutthroat world of F1, there's always room for a laugh - and a whole lot of improvement on the padel court.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.