George Russell hits out at ‘illegal’ Charles Leclerc G…read more
George Russell has taken a playful swipe at Charles Leclerc after receiving a provocative Secret Santa gift that revived one of the most controversial moments of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The Mercedes driver was left both amused and baffled when Leclerc presented him with a framed image and video clip of the Ferrari driver’s bold overtake at the Dutch Grand Prix — a move that sparked debate throughout the paddock over its legality. The pass, which saw Leclerc dive down the inside of Russell and force the Brit wide, became one of the standout moments of the year, though not without controversy.
At Zandvoort, Leclerc caught Russell by surprise with a late lunge that appeared to push the Mercedes off the racing line. While the manoeuvre was applauded by many fans for its bravery, questions were raised about whether it should have been penalised, as replays suggested Leclerc may have had two tyres beyond track limits during the move. Despite the scrutiny, no sanction was applied, allowing the pass to stand.
The incident proved memorable enough to be immortalised during F1’s traditional end-of-season Secret Santa event, where drivers exchange gifts and attempt to guess their anonymous benefactors. Russell needed little time to work out who had been behind his present.
Leclerc had gone to great lengths with the gift, presenting Russell with a carefully framed photograph of the overtake alongside a digital display showing the move in slow motion. The cheeky gesture immediately prompted a sarcastic response from the Mercedes driver.
“Naughty, naughty, naughty,” Russell joked as he examined the gift. “That’s very kind of him. He can only overtake illegally, so that’s all he’s got in the locker — just bashing people off the track.” After studying the image more closely, Russell added: “I’m genuinely lost for words.”
The exchange drew laughter from those present, but Russell continued the banter when asked whether he wanted to send Leclerc Christmas wishes. “Not really, to be honest,” he replied. “Maybe I’ll get him a photo in return of Kimi crashing him out of the race, just to remind him what happened a few laps later. Thanks Charles — thanks for nothing.”
Russell’s remark referenced Leclerc’s unfortunate end to the Dutch Grand Prix. Despite pulling off the eye-catching pass earlier in the race, the Ferrari driver’s afternoon unravelled following a clash with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, which resulted in Leclerc crashing out and failing to score points.
While Leclerc’s overtake on Russell was one of the most talked-about moves of the season, it narrowly missed out on being crowned F1’s Overtake of the Year. That honour instead went to Max Verstappen for a spectacular lap-one manoeuvre at the Imola Grand Prix.
The 2025 season began with McLaren establishing itself as the dominant force, but Verstappen reminded the paddock of his brilliance in Italy. On the opening lap at Imola, the Red Bull driver produced a breathtaking move at Turn 3, braking late and sweeping around the outside of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren. The overtake set the tone for Verstappen’s race and ultimately led to just his second victory of the year.
Verstappen’s Imola pass not only earned the Overtake of the Year award but was also recognised as the FIA’s Action of the Year, underlining its significance in a highly competitive campaign. Although Leclerc’s move on Russell did not receive the same official accolades, it remained one of the defining flashpoints of the season — remembered as much for the controversy it caused as for the audacity behind it.
In the end, the Secret Santa exchange served as a light-hearted reminder of the intense on-track battles that defined 2025, showing that while rivalries may be fierce during the season, they can still be revisited with humour once the helmets come off.
