It is Secret Santa time in Formula 1. From George Russell’s joke aimed at Charles Leclerc to the walking stick gifted to Fernando Alonso, these are the presents the drivers exchanged. During the Christmas holidays, the atmosphere in the Formula 1 paddock became noticeably lighter and more playful. Far from the tension of the racetrack, the drivers celebrated Christmas by swapping ironic, personal and often cheeky gifts, creating a real chain of presents that highlighted the most human side of the Circus.
The gifts received by the drivers
Nico Hülkenberg decided to give Fernando Alonso a wooden walking stick, joking about the fact that the Spanish driver is the oldest on the grid. “It could be useful. Not now, but one day yes,” was the comment from the two-time world champion. At the same time, the German Audi driver received a national team shirt with the writing “Hulk 63”, leaving little doubt about who the sender was.
George Russell, on the other hand, received a photograph. Of what? The image showed the overtake he suffered from Charles Leclerc at Zandvoort. “Bad, bad, bad,” was the comment from the number 63. Along with the photo, there was also a digital frame showing the video of that moment. “He can only overtake illegally. He doesn’t deserve Christmas wishes. Maybe I’ll send him a picture of Kimi taking him out of the race, so he remembers what happened after that overtake.”
But what did the Ferrari driver receive instead? Charles Leclerc was given a book titled “How to be a good husband”. The sender? His friend Pierre Gasly. “I like reading so I’ll read it. Plus, it’s in French. Ah, it says I have to give it back afterwards. It says it’s a guide approved by a million women, even though mine is special. But Pierre knows how good a boyfriend I am. Merci Pierre.”
A Senna-themed gift for Kimi
The Alpine driver received a bag from the Italian national team containing balls, a cap and padel socks. Unsurprisingly, the gift came from Kimi Antonelli, who in turn received a pillow showing himself wearing a Jordan shirt and a LEGO set of Ayrton Senna’s McLaren, both sent by Lando Norris. The newly crowned world champion instead received two photos of Alex Albon, one from his childhood and one as a driver, both signed by the Williams driver himself, along with a small book about Thailand.
Carlos Sainz received from Hadjar a headband and wristbands with the Spanish flag, as well as a comb to fix his “always perfect hair”. In return, the French driver was gifted an alarm clock by Liam Lawson, accompanied by a note saying: “So you won’t be late anymore.”
“Make a TikTok every day” was the title of the book that Ollie Bearman gave to the New Zealand Racing Bulls driver. The young British driver received a T-shirt featuring a teddy bear wearing an Argentina shirt from Colapinto, who instead was given a Yuki Tsunoda Funko Pop.
Gabriel Bortoleto sent the former Red Bull Japanese driver a table tennis set, before receiving a French cookbook from Esteban Ocon. The Haas driver was given a deck of UNO cards and a small Spider-Man-themed toy car by Oscar Piastri. The Australian then received a pair of Tim Tam biscuit socks from Lance Stroll, who closed the gift chain by receiving beach tennis rackets and other small presents from Carlos Sainz.
A Christmas marked by irony, friendship and playful teasing, showing how even among the fiercest Formula 1 rivals there is room for smiles, affection and a touch of healthy fun away from the track. Notably absent were Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who have always been uncomfortable with this kind of activity.
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