PETALING JAYA: National sepak takraw player Farhan Adam has cleared up the confusion over a viral photo of him playing sepak takraw with Formula 1 star Max Verstappen.
The photo, recently shared by Red Bull Racing, had led many to believe Farhan and his teammates had met Verstappen during his visit to Malaysia this week.
But Farhan revealed that the photo was actually taken 10 years ago, in 2016.
The timing of the post had sparked the confusion as Formula 1 fever is building in Malaysia ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this weekend.
Farhan had also just returned from the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where he helped Malaysia end a 36-year wait for the men’s team gold.
"I don’t really remember all the details, but it was an old photo.
"We (Afiffudin Razali, Syahir Rosdi and Khairul Zaman) taught them how to play sepak takraw at a hall in Puchong.
"Although they were a little awkward at it, they were very friendly," said Farhan.
Daniel Ricciardo was also there with Verstappen during the session.
Farhan said he also never expected that, 10 years later, Verstappen would have gone on to become a four-time world champion.
Ricciardo, meanwhile, is no longer on the Formula 1 grid, having last raced for Visa Cash App RB in 2024.
Farhan, who grew up admiring Michael Schumacher, was happy to see the old photo resurface as it brought back memories of that session and added to the buzz ahead of this weekend’s race.
