What are best friends meant for if not for trash-talking? A cut-throat sport like Formula 1 — where every driver aims to beat all 19 others on the grid—would be the last place where people would expect friendships to blossom. But every now and then, F1 seems to surprise everyone. In 2019, the surprise came in the form of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz’s partnership at McLaren. Well, the partnership wasn’t the surprising part. It was their bromance. In the past five years, they’ve gone from teammates to best friends, and as Lando Norris turned 24 on his birthday, Carlos Sainz found the perfect way to wish his muppet friend.

Coming back to the best friend and trash-talking point. Carlos Sainz found a way to wish his best friend but also make Norris wary of his threat, as Netflix’s golf and F1 crossover will take center stage on Tuesday. When the sun sets on November 13 and Norris’ birthday is over, the Brit will go up against Sainz and Justin Thomas in The Netflix Cup.

Lando Norris got a birthday wish and a dig from Carlos Sainz

The Netflix Cup is Netflix’s first-ever live sports event. Following F1’s Drive To Survive’s success, the streaming platform produced a similar show for golf called Full Swing that came out this year. Needless to say, that’s been pretty successful as well. To get the best of both worlds, Netflix decided to bring them together, and now, we have The Netflix Cup. It’ll feature F1 drivers Norris, Sainz, Pierre Gasly, and Alexander Albon. From the PGA Tour, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Max Homa will join the club. 

With the Las Vegas GP next weekend, the golfers are coming down to Vegas. The four pairs of Norris-Fowler, Sainz-Thomas, Gasly-Morikawa, and Albon-Homa will face off in an eight-hole game at the Wynn Golf Club. The top two teams will then compete for the title. But how did Norris get a spot in the event? He has Carlos Sainz to thank. A few years ago, golf was “the most boring thing ever” for Norris. Through Sainz’s influence, it’s now the 24-year-old’s favorite sport after F1. “I’m fully addicted. I can’t describe how addicted I am to golf.” 

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Just because it’s now one of his favorite sports doesn’t mean he’s any good at it. Well, saying ‘any good’ is a little harsh because Norris has gotten better over the years. It’s just that Sainz has been playing a lot longer than he has, and naturally, has an advantage over the Brit. The Spaniard used precisely this piece of knowledge to wish Norris a 24th birthday. On his Instagram story, Sainz posted a picture of them on the green, writing, “Happy b-day to a decent golfer and a better driver! Mr. @landonorris 🎂🎂”

Despite Golf ‘Addiction’, Lando Norris Predicted to Fail Against “Lifelong Golfer” Carlos Sainz in ‘The Netflix Cup’

Sainz sure would’ve had a laugh while writing this birthday message for Norris. He’d hope to have the last laugh even on Tuesday in Vegas. Considering he’s the best golfer of the F1-pack, the odds are in his favor. While Norris may not have the on-green talent to rival Sainz, he sure does have the pick-up line skills to rival the Ferrari driver.

Golfers versus F1 drivers: An F1 and golf pick-up line contest

It looks like Netflix is just as excited about The Netflix Cup as the rest of the world. The streaming service figured the best way to get everyone pumped up for the event would be to make the participants come up with cringe-worthy pick-up lines. In an Instagram post by Netflix captioned, “It’s a match made on the green ⛳️,” the PGA golfers gave their best attempts at F1 pick-up lines. In a very Love Island-esque montage, Morikawa said, “I just want someone who knows when to step on the gas, and when to hit the brakes.” Thomas followed. “I think I’ll be a great partner because I’m not afraid of rough patches.” Homa said, “I’m looking for that hole-in-one kind of love,” and Fowler added, “I’m looking for someone who can take the wheel.”

As they looked for their perfect matches beyond the greens, the F1 drivers gave their best golf-inspired pickup lines. Gasly said, “Forget my DRS. The only thing activated right now is my heart.” Albon followed, “If taking it fast is your speed, I got you covered.” But it was Norris and Sainz’s attempts that took the cake. The Brit said, “I’m ruthless on the track, but I’m romantic on the green,” while the Spaniard employed wordplay to incorporate his nickname ‘Chili.’ He said, “If you like things a little spicy, you know I could be your ‘chili’ pepper.”

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What did you make of Carlos Sainz’s birthday wish for Lando Norris and their attempts at pick-up lines? How do you think they’ll do at The Netflix Cup?