The playful exchange between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen over F1 and Mario Kart continues, and Ferrari is joining in with a special steering wheel for the Chinese Grand Prix.
After his incredible launch in Australia, which allowed him to move from fourth to first position within just a few meters, Charles Leclerc referenced Mario Kart over the radio. “It’s like when you take the special boost,” said the Monegasque driver, making a clear nod to one of the most beloved power-ups in the iconic video game.
The comment immediately went viral on social media, with fans having fun editing images from the opening race of the 2026 season to resemble scenes from the famous racing game cherished by children and adults alike.
Verstappen fires back with a playful twist
The banter continued during the press conference ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, when Max Verstappen was asked how simulators help drivers improve energy management. The four-time world champion responded in his usual ironic tone: “I found a cheaper solution. I replaced the simulator with my Nintendo Switch and yes, I’m actually practicing a bit with Mario Kart. Collecting the mushrooms is going quite well. The blue shell is a bit trickier, but I’m working on it,” said the Dutch Red Bull driver.
Ferrari introduces a special steering wheel
Building on what could soon become a fun trend in the paddock, Ferrari decided to use a special steering wheel for the Chinese Grand Prix. A video posted on social media shows Charles Leclerc testing the seat ahead of the Shanghai weekend. The Monegasque is asked to perform a series of commands on the wheel, which triggers an image on the screen taken from Mario Kart showing a car … in first place.
“This is like a mushroom in Mario Kart.” 👀🍄 Now we know why… pic.twitter.com/kz0QAAJlsi
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 12, 2026
Could this be a good omen for Ferrari’s weekend? In the meantime, the paddock continues to laugh and joke about the Scuderia’s impressive launch advantage.
While the banter about mushrooms and blue shells provides some much-needed levity in the high-pressure world of the 2026 technical regulations, it highlights a very real competitive edge. Ferrari’s “mushroom” starts are the result of superior engineering in the energy deployment phase, a secret they are clearly happy to joke about while their rivals scramble for answers. As Verstappen “practices” his defense against the leaders, the psychological game between Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes is reaching a peak. In Shanghai, where the run to the first corner is notoriously tricky, being the one with the “special mushroom” might be the difference between a podium and a mid-pack scrap. One thing is certain: the fans will be watching the start with Mario Kart sound effects at the ready.
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