In the midst of the high-stakes 11th European Tour darts event in Prague, two of the sport’s biggest stars, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler, found a moment to set aside their competitive edge and indulge in a shared passion: Formula One. The reigning World Championship finalists, known for their fierce rivalry on the oche, turned their attention to the thrilling Italian Grand Prix, cheering for their respective countrymen—Max Verstappen for Van Gerwen and Lando Norris for Littler. “Max for Michael, Lando for Luke. Let’s see who wins,” Van Gerwen posted on Instagram, capturing a lighthearted moment as the duo watched the race together. In the end, it was Van Gerwen who had the last laugh, with Verstappen storming to victory while Norris trailed in second, adding a playful twist to their darts rivalry.
The Prague event, held at the Kralovka Arena, was a battleground for darts’ elite, but the Formula One action provided a welcome respite. Van Gerwen, the three-time world champion from the Netherlands, and Littler, the 18-year-old British prodigy who claimed the 2025 PDC World Championship, were not facing off directly on the dartboard that day. Instead, their camaraderie shone through as they rooted for Verstappen and Norris, whose first names share the same initial as their darts counterparts. This wasn’t the first time Littler and Norris crossed paths—earlier this year, Norris gave Littler a driving lesson, followed by a friendly darts match that “The Nuke” predictably won. The connection added a layer of fun to their Formula One rivalry, with Van Gerwen and Littler joking about who would come out on top.
The Italian Grand Prix, held at Monza, was a spectacle that captivated the darts stars. Verstappen, the reigning Formula One world champion, delivered a masterclass, fending off McLaren’s Norris and Oscar Piastri in a race that kept fans on the edge of their seats. “It was a brilliant race to watch,” Van Gerwen later remarked, relishing the chance to celebrate Verstappen’s triumph. For Littler, supporting Norris was a point of national pride, even if the Brit couldn’t overtake the Dutch driver. The moment underscored the unique bond between the darts players, whose competitive spirit extends beyond the oche to other arenas of sport.
On the darts front, Prague was less kind to both players. Littler, who hadn’t lost a European Tour match since April, started strongly, dispatching Cameron Menzies 6-2 in the third round. However, his run ended in the last 16, where he fell 6-4 to Gian van Veen, a rising Dutch star who had previously bested him at the German Grand Prix. “I gave it my all, but it wasn’t enough today,” Littler reflected, showing the maturity that has defined his rapid rise. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, also faced disappointment, exiting the tournament earlier than expected despite his status as a favorite. “You win some, you lose some—that’s darts,” he said, shrugging off the setback with his characteristic resilience.
The Prague event highlighted the intense competition on the European Tour, with players like Chris Dobey, Michael Smith, and Rob Cross vying for the title. The tournament’s £175,000 prize fund, with £30,000 for the winner, added to the stakes, but for Van Gerwen and Littler, the Formula One interlude offered a chance to connect as friends rather than foes. Their shared Instagram post, capturing them engrossed in the race, went viral, drawing thousands of likes and comments from fans who loved seeing the lighter side of their rivalry.
As the darts season continues, the dynamic between Van Gerwen and Littler remains one of the sport’s most compelling narratives. Littler’s meteoric rise, culminating in his record-breaking World Championship win at 17, has put him on a collision course with veterans like Van Gerwen, who continues to chase a fourth world title. Yet, moments like their Formula One banter in Prague show that their rivalry is underpinned by mutual respect. With the PDC calendar packed with events like the Hungarian Darts Trophy and the World Grand Prix, fans can expect more battles on the board—and perhaps more off-the-oche camaraderie between these two darts giants.
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