Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has taken a cheeky swipe at Red Bull motorsports' consultant Dr Helmut Marko over a mix-up between motorhomes and private planes.
Marko has long been the kingmaker when it comes to Red Bull's driver line-up, discovering the likes of Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel but just as swiftly axing the others including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Daniel Kvyat..
But it seems that the balance of power has now swung in the other direction, with Verstappen having no fear of reprisals from his former mentor when it comes to slapping down some recent comments Marko made to the media.
In January, Marko told Germany's Sport1 broadcaster that Verstappen "had his plane converted so that he can fly a simulator in the air in the future".
"Judging by the last few seasons it certainly doesn't distract him," Marko was reported as saying when asked if sim racing was having a positive effect on Verstappen. "It's only good, because he needs that kind of distraction."
When asked about the comments at Friday's Red Bull launch event in New York City, Verstappen laughed off the suggestion of an airborne racing sim and stated that "I think that would be a bit absurd".
Verstappen acquired a second-hand 15-year-old Falcon 900EX in 2020, which he had painted matte dark grey with orange graphics featuring the Verstappen logo.
But Verstappen suggested that Dr Marko had mixed up the private plane with the more down to earth motorhome that he uses to travel to races around Europe, and to provide accommodation at circuits.
Verstappen told the media that he had been talking to Marko last year about the new motorhome he was getting ready for 2023, which included plans for a racing simulator rig.
"I said I will install one there because I just can keep on driving when I'm back in the evening because I like it," he explained. "It's my hobby in a way. It just keeps you sharp as well."
"I think he misunderstood, and he said plane," Verstappen suggested with a smile. "So no, I'm not installing one in my plane."
While racing drivers have long used simulators to prepare for races, especially at new circuits they've never driven at before, the sport of sim-racing in its own racing has been ballooning in recent years.
The FIA even set up an E-Sports championship during the pandemic lockdown, with top drivers like Verstappen, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and George Russell having customised simulator equipement installed at their homes.
Verstappen is the first to take his e-racing hobby out on the road, but surely won't be the last. As for Marko, the 79-year-old Austrian can surely be forgiven some small amount of confusion over such new-fangled activities!
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
