Who received what from whom this year? In the special Formula 1 Secret Santa video posted for the Christmas holidays, the drivers were able to unwrap their mystery gifts in Abu Dhabi and thus discover their secret Santa, to our greatest pleasure.
George Russell: The potential model
George Russell opened the ball by receiving a book from Jordan Sales “So you want to be a model? » (Literally: So you want to be a model? Editor’s note.) as well as a kiwi bracelet whose packaging said “You hold the kiwi to my heart”, a play on words which can be translated as “You hold the key to my heart.” With this nice clue, the Briton concluded that his benefactor was none other than Liam Lawson, the New Zealand driver!
Since his legendary T-stance in the 2023 Formula 1 credits, the Mercedes driver has received plenty of teasing. And he plays it! Number 63 likes to take part in videos where he poses like a model, so much so that some fans say he is in his supermodel era. A detail which obviously did not escape Max Verstappen’s future teammate.
Liam Lawson: The Cars fan
Liam Lawson’s Secret Santa also hit the mark since the Kiwi received a remote-controlled model of Lightning McQueen. A fan of the little red car, star of the Cars animated films, the future Red Bull driver was very enthusiastic by tearing the packaging while specifying that he suspected what was going to be inside. Difficult to find the name of your one-day Santa Claus: “I told so many people that I loved Lightning McQueen! »
Indeed, Lawson even made a humorous TikTok in 2023 in which he staged his meeting with “the one who made him want to become a Formula 1 driver” in an amusement park. After a few attempts, the New Zealander discovered that Oscar Piastri was in charge of his gift, before thanking him through the camera with a beaming smile. We can say that the Australian has succeeded in his quest for the perfect present
@liam_lawson30 Met my hero this week… #formula1 #alphataurif1
♬ cena theme – aboodjbar ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
Oscar Piastri : The padel apprentices
In an envelope “very well packaged,” Oscar Piastri received coupons for Padel lessons, a sport that arouses real enthusiasm among the majority of Formula 1 drivers. Immediately, Lando Norris’ teammate guesses that this gift is given to him by Alex Albon! According to the beneficiary, the Thai would not be a great admirer of his skills as a padelist. As he considers he has a better level than the Williams driver, he suggests using these coupons together to progress together. Class!
Alex Albon: The Golfer Who Loved Peaches
After advising his mysterious Santa “to improve your packaging skills,” Alex Albon discovers a panda golf club head guard. A welcome gift for the golf-loving driver who first thinks he must thank Guanyu Zhou for this attention, before discovering a personalized card with Valtteri Bottas from behind, wearing a Santa hat as his only item of clothing. For Albon, it’s certain, he will only see the Finn’s buttocks when he takes out his clubs.
Valtteri Bottas: The Iron Man and the Frog
For Valtteri Bottas, who enjoys running Ironmans between two race weekends, Santa Claus had fun giving him a book of theories on specific triathlon training. To complete his mission, Santa added swimming goggles decorated with frogs in Sauber colors. For the Finn, this is proof that this gift came from George Russell since the green ladies reminded him of the one who stole his seat at Mercedes in 2022. Lost! Since it was Esteban Ocon who took the name of the Mercedes 2025 reserve driver.
Esteban Ocon: The remote-controlled car pro
Already decked out in his Haas team uniform, Esteban Ocon was spoiled with a radio-controlled drift car! Without thinking, the Frenchman deduced that this gift came from Charles Leclerc, aware that the Monegasque is one of those who know his passion for remote-controlled vehicles. Pierre Gasly’s ex-teammate was able to expand his collection, despite a product deemed a joke “low budget” and can have fun playing with toy cars when he’s not behind the wheel of a slightly more imposing single-seater!
Charles Leclerc: The Dachshund Father
Since the arrival of Léo Leclerc-Saint Mleux, a cream long-haired dwarf dachshund, all eyes have been on him in the paddock. Unsurprisingly, Charles Leclerc received two toys for his dog. Amused, the Monegasque suggests that “Leo will be happy without a doubt,” without having the slightest idea of who preferred to spoil the dog rather than the master. It was none other than Yuki Tsunoda who decided to make Leo bark with happiness!
Yuki Tsunoda : Le futur argentin
Yuki Tsunoda’s mysterious benefactor has turned to a specialty from his country. The Japanese was first able to enjoy a rather special cup and a bag of herb which he took for tea or coffee. And no! This is a kit for making mate with a calabash and dried Yerba Mate. This infusion is particularly appreciated by Argentines who even make it an institution. No more doubts, his Secret Santa was none other than Franco Colapinto!
Franco Colapinto: The plasticine sculptor
When Franco Colapinto opened his package, he said to himself that his Secret Santa didn’t really know what to buy him: modeling clay probably bought in Qatar and a chalk board effect puzzle. Unless this is a joke about his status as a young rookie who can still play like children, there is no real link between these two objects. For the Argentinian, it is the work of Carlos Sainz! Without hard feelings for the Iberian, Colapinto even sculpted his future Williams using his gifts!
Carlos Sainz : The original pepper
Carlos Sainz, who is regularly nicknamed Chili, was offered a magnificent chili costume in honor of this nickname. Upon discovering that Guanyu Zhou is at the origin of this original present, he even promised that if the Chinese scored points before the end of the season, he would wear the disguise for a photo! 72 hours later, the bet was kept by the Sauber driver and Sainz had to carry out his part by donning the costume for one image.
Guanyu Zhou: La dame au chats
The animals are popular in the paddock, and their owners are crazy about it. Guanyu Zhou’s reaction to opening his gift demonstrated this once again. Lando Norris had the brilliant idea of having a personalized cushion made with a photo of Sweetcorn, the Chinese pilot’s cat. An attention which particularly delighted him to the point that the pilot made an Instagram post about it!
Lando Norris: L’expert de la racquette
Visibly disappointed to see a gift no thicker than an envelope… Lando Norris received lessons in Padel from his compatriot George Russell. According to the McLaren driver, this is the height since his level would be better than that of his secret Santa: “I beat it the other day, so I’m putting it back in the envelope and returning it to Santa.” If I need lessons, he even more! » For Norris, this gift would have been acceptable from Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll, whom he considers much better than him.
Lance Stroll: The FC Versailles footballer
Lance Stroll’s turn to unwrap a jersey from the Versailles Football team. Right away, the Canadian guessed that his Secret Santa was French, but did not immediately find that it was Pierre Gasly. The Habs, who became one of the club’s owners this year, sent a message to the person in charge of distribution: a personalized copy is on the way!
Pierre Gasly: The equipped
Two years ago, Pierre Gasly received Padel rackets from Lance Stroll. This year again, it was the Canadian who played Santa Claus for the Alpine driver. Continuing this first present, the Aston Martin driver gave him a personalized padel jersey. Gasly confided that they had been trying to organize a session together for two years in vain, but that this time, he really wants to find a moment to face Stroll in a match.
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