Verstappen Gets Viral Las Vegas Shirt, Alonso Joked With Walking Stick
Max Verstappen received a custom T-shirt celebrating his Las Vegas win, while Fernando Alonso was gifted a walking stick for F1's Secret Santa, a nod to his incredible longevity in the sport.
The F1 off-season revealed the paddock's lighter side, with Max Verstappen receiving a now-viral T-shirt from his partner, Kelly Piquet, commemorating his defiant Las Vegas Grand Prix win. In a separate exchange, Fernando Alonso was the subject of a good-natured joke about his longevity, receiving a walking stick from Nico Hülkenberg during F1's official Secret Santa.
Why it matters:
These personal moments offer a rare glimpse into the personalities and relationships within the tightly-knit F1 community, humanizing the drivers beyond their on-track personas. For Verstappen, the shirt captures the fighting spirit of a season where he challenged for the title against the odds. For Alonso, the gift is a sign of immense respect from his peers, acknowledging a career and performance level that continues to defy his age.
The details:
- Verstappen's Gift: The T-shirt gifted by Kelly Piquet features an image of Verstappen celebrating his Las Vegas victory, complete with podium glasses and a middle finger. The design directly references the win that briefly reignited his championship hopes following the post-race disqualification of both McLaren cars.
- Alonso's Secret Santa: Nico Hülkenberg's gift to Alonso was a walking stick, a humorous nod to the Spaniard's record-breaking longevity in the sport. Alonso, who will turn 45 in 2026, is the oldest driver on the grid by a significant margin.
- The joke contrasts sharply with his on-track performance. Alonso enjoyed a commanding 2025 campaign, decisively outperforming his teammate and notably securing a flawless 24–0 record in qualifying head-to-heads.
Looking Ahead:
As the grid enjoys its winter break, these light-hearted moments highlight the unique camaraderie and culture within Formula 1. While the focus will soon shift to testing and development for the 2026 season, these personal stories serve as a reminder of the distinct characters who define the sport. All eyes will be on how both Verstappen and Alonso channel their competitive energy into the upcoming championship fight.