Leclerc's 'Naughty' Secret Santa Gift to Russell: A Framed Zandvoort Memento
For the F1 drivers' Secret Santa, Charles Leclerc gifted George Russell a framed photo of their controversial Zandvoort clash. The 'naughty' present left Russell speechless, though he quickly fired back with a joke of his own.
Charles Leclerc turned the F1 drivers' Secret Santa into a personal roast, gifting George Russell a framed photo of their controversial Zandvoort overtake. The Monegasque driver included a slow-motion replay of the incident, leaving a visibly surprised Russell 'lost for words' and calling the gift 'naughty'. Russell, however, quickly countered with his own joke about a different incident from the same race weekend, showcasing the competitive banter between the two.
Why it matters:
This exchange offers a rare glimpse into the off-track dynamics between F1's elite competitors. It demonstrates that intense on-track rivalries can coexist with a layer of mutual respect and humor, a side of the sport fans rarely see. The choice of gift also underscores how much the Zandvoort battle resonated with both drivers, extending the competition beyond the race track and into the festive season.
The details:
- Leclerc's Secret Santa gift to Russell was a framed photograph of their clash at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, complete with a slow-motion video replay of the maneuver.
- The overtake at Zandvoort was highly controversial at the time, with Russell arguing over the radio that Leclerc had pushed him off the track. Stewards, however, took no further action, allowing the result to stand.
- Russell's initial reaction was one of disbelief, laughing and saying, 'Naughty, naughty, naughty... I'm lost for words…' as he realized what the gift was.
- The Mercedes driver quickly fired back, joking he would send Leclerc a photo of Kimi Räikkönen taking him out of the race later that same weekend, referencing another incident from Zandvoort.
Looking Ahead:
While the framed photo is unlikely to find a place on Russell's wall, the incident adds a memorable chapter to the rivalry between two of F1's young stars. As they continue to battle for podiums and victories, fans will be watching to see if this festive banter carries over to their on-track encounters. The exchange has set an entertaining precedent for how these competitors handle both pressure and pranks.