Alonso's Hilarious F1 Secret Santa Gift Goes Viral

Fernando Alonso, the oldest driver on the F1 grid, received a walking stick as a Secret Santa gift from Nico Hulkenberg, sparking widespread amusement among fans and on social media ahead of the 2025 season finale.

Why it matters:

The annual F1 Secret Santa exchange is a fan-favorite tradition, offering a rare glimpse into the drivers' personalities and camaraderie off-track. This particular gift, playing on Alonso's age with humor, perfectly encapsulates the lighthearted rivalries within the sport, providing a much-needed moment of levity as the intense season concludes.

The details:

• The Gift: Alonso, 44, was filmed unwrapping a walking stick, a playful jab at his status as the grid's most senior driver.
• The Giver: Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg was identified as Alonso's Secret Santa, a detail that amplified the humor and confirmed the jest was in good spirits, rather than disrespectful.
• Fan Reactions: Social media quickly lit up with comments, with many appreciating the "top-tier sh**housery" and noting the likely high cost of the humorous gift.
• Team Performance Context: Some fans also used the moment to playfully jest about Alonso's efforts at Aston Martin, with one commenter quipping, "That back must hurt from carrying Aston Martin for the past three years."
  • Aston Martin is currently P7 in the constructors' standings with 80 points, trailing Racing Bulls (P6, 92 points) heading into the Abu Dhabi season finale.
  • Alonso is P12 in the drivers' standings with 48 points, while teammate Lance Stroll is P17 with 32 points.
• Alonso's Practice Report: Ahead of the final race, Alonso commented on the Abu Dhabi circuit, describing it as "tricky" to balance the car due to varying corner speeds. He mentioned a focus on finding more front grip for qualifying.

The big picture:

This playful exchange highlights the unique bond shared by F1 drivers, who, despite fierce competition, often share moments of genuine camaraderie. It's a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, there's always room for humor and mutual respect, especially as the season winds down and the holiday spirit approaches.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the 2025 season. While the Secret Santa provided a moment of fun, teams and drivers will be all business on track as they battle for final constructors' and drivers' championship positions, with Aston Martin still fighting for P6.