When Formula 1’s PR team decides that a enemies-to-lovers is the perfect recipe to boost engagement, they suggest a harmless PR stunt: Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will fake a soft, flirty friendship online. Neither of them expected the feelings to get real — and when they do, it’s not just the cameras watching anymore.

"Okay, hear me out," the young PR manager says, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she clicks to the next slide. "Rivalry is out. Bromance is in. But we go further this time—"

Max Verstappen, seated across the table in a hoodie and cap, blinks. "Further?"

Charles Leclerc leans back, already suspicious. "Define further."

The screen flashes with a slideshow: Twitter threads, old interviews where they complimented each other, clips of tense post-race handshakes. A paused video of Max and Charles bumping shoulders in the cool-down room, looking like it could be mistaken for a charged moment.

"You're both top drivers, polar opposites in style. Fire and ice. History. Tension. Fans love it," the PR rep continues, gesturing like she’s painting a masterpiece. "So we give them what they want: subtle flirtation, teasing online interactions, maybe a collab or two—”