WATCH: Mitch Marner swaps Toronto Maple Leafs jersey with F1 Redbull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez

In a surprising turn of events, Mitch Marner, the talented Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs, recently made headlines by swapping his Maple Leafs jersey with two Formula 1 drivers. B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) took to Twitter to share a video capturing this unexpected encounter.

The first driver to partake in this unique exchange was none other than Max Verstappen, the Dutch-Belgian racing sensation and reigning champion of the 2021 and 2022 Formula 1 World Championships. Verstappen's fearless driving style and competitive spirit have earned him a prominent place in the world of motorsports, making his connection with Marner all the more intriguing.

Accompanying Verstappen was Sergio Perez, a skilled Mexican racing driver who also competes in Formula 1 for Red Bull Racing. Perez's impressive racing career has seen him drive for notable teams such as Sauber, McLaren, Force India and Racing Point, further adding to the significance of this jersey swap.

The video showcases Marner enthusiastically engaging with Verstappen and Perez. The jersey exchange serves as a symbol of mutual respect and admiration between athletes from different sporting disciplines.

A look at Mitch Marner's NHL career

Mitch Marner, a highly skilled forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has quickly risen to prominence in the NHL. He was chosen as the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and has drawn comparisons to the legendary Doug Gilmour, even wearing Gilmour's iconic number 93 during his time with the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League.

However, it was during the 2018-19 season that Mitch Marner truly emerged as a standout player. He achieved career-highs in goals, assists and points, solidifying his status as a formidable presence in the league. Despite dealing with an ankle injury in the 2019-20 season, Marner's exceptional performance earned him a spot in the NHL All-Star Game, further enhancing his reputation.

In the 2021-22 season, Marner reached new heights alongside linemates Auston Matthews and Michael Bunting. Their exceptional chemistry and skill propelled the Maple Leafs to remarkable victories and point totals, with Marner contributing an impressive 97 points.

Through his remarkable achievements and consistent growth, Marner has firmly established himself as one of the NHL's brightest stars. In February 2022, he became the second player from his draft class to surpass the 400-point milestone, joining Connor McDavid. Additionally, Marner set a Maple Leafs franchise record with a 19-game point streak in December 2022, showcasing his reliability and impact on the team.