It’s everyone’s favourite time of year again, when the best drivers in the world don Christmas hats and cosplay as Santa Claus for one another. Since 2017, Formula 1’s Secret Santa has been one of the most anticipated off-track traditions of the season.
The concept is simple: everyone puts their name in a hat (or helmet), and each person pulls out someone else’s name to buy a present for. The catch is that the driver doesn’t know who bought their present and has to guess who it’s from…
Over the years, Secret Santa has delivered some thoughtful gifts, such as the time Lance Stroll gifted Pierre Gasly a personalised Padel racket. But more often than not, the drivers use the tradition for pranks and gag gifts. Who can forget the time Max Verstappen gifted Valtteri Bottas canned fish? A present has never been thrown in the bin quicker!
With this year’s edition available to watch here, we take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from F1’s festive gift exchange.
1. The retirement reminder
The gift: Slippers and a pipeFrom: Lewis HamiltonTo: Felipe MassaYear: 2017
The inaugural Secret Santa got off to a hilarious start courtesy of Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa! Massa had announced that he would be heading into retirement at the end of 2017, so Hamilton made sure to help him prepare for civilian life – with slippers and a pipe… naturally, for the ultimate “you’re getting old” gag. Felipe’s less-than-thrilled reaction only made it funnier, proving that even legends of the sport aren’t immune to a good roast from their peers!
2. Like father, like fur-son
The gift: The Hulk dog costumeFrom: Robert KubicaTo: Nico HulkenbergYear: 2019
Famously, Nico Hulkenberg’s nickname is “The Hulk,” so Robert Kubica took the obvious route and got him a Hulk costume. But, as with many driver Secret Santa’s, all is not as it seems… as the costume was for Nico’s dog!
The German driver had a good laugh at the sight of Zeus dressed up like the mini superhero, it was one of those gifts that was ridiculous and funny at the same time, which is kind of spot on for Secret Santa.
3. The face only a driver could love
The gift: Wine and Fernando Alonso temporary tattoosFrom: Fernando AlonsoTo: Daniel RicciardoYear: 2021
Who wouldn’t want a sheet of temporary tattoos featuring Fernando Alonso’s face? Daniel Ricciardo certainly was thrilled about it. The Aussie was so excited that he slapped one on immediately. Clearly, sometimes the best gifts are the ones that make absolutely no sense! The question remains: where did Fernando get these made, and how can we get our hands on them?
4. A bee-utiful gesture
The gift: 61 drone bees and Nutella biscuitsFrom: Sebastian VettelTo: Nicholas LatifiYear: 2022
Leave it to Sebastian Vettel to turn Secret Santa into something genuinely touching. Instead of buying him something, Seb adopted 61 drone bees in Nicholas Latifi’s name. The specific number came from how many times the duo had lined up together on the grid, and additionally a nod to his passion for conservation. It was a unique and meaningful gift, and something we think completely sums up Seb. Nicholas was visibly moved, and honestly, so were we.
5. A picture of bromance
The gift: A framed photo of Yuki and PierreFrom: Lando NorrisTo: Yuki TsunodaYear: 2022
Lando Norris thought he was being cheeky by gifting Yuki Tsunoda a framed photo of himself with former team mate Pierre Gasly. But Yuki’s reaction was rather wholesome; he genuinely loved it! After two seasons together at AlphaTauri, the bond between Yuki and Pierre was real, and Lando’s ‘joke gift’ turned out to be surprisingly sweet.
6. The king of gifts
The gift: An adopted lionFrom: Max VerstappenTo: Mick SchumacherYear: 2022
Max Verstappen’s thing has always been the lion, just look at his mascot! In 2022, he decided to spread the pride, by adopting one for Mick Schumacher! The lion, named King, delighted Mick, who immediately asked to visit, pet and play fetch with his new big-cat buddy. It’s not every day you get wildlife adoption papers in your Secret Santa haul, but when Max is your gifter, it’s best to expect the unexpected.
7. The ultimate self-flex
The gift: F1 22 video gameFrom: Charles LeclercTo: Max VerstappenYear: 2022
Charles Leclerc’s note said it all: “To my biggest fan.” The gift? A copy of F1 22 featuring Charles front and centre on the cover, whilst one of the original cover stars Max was nowhere to be seen. In fact, Charles had edited the cover, so his face covered all three driver spots! After a season of intense rivalry, this was Charles’ way of delivering a cheeky jab, and Max took it like the champion he is.
8. The tripod incident
The gift: A tripodFrom: Nico HulkenbergTo: Pierre GaslyYear: 2023
Earlier in 2023, Pierre Gasly revealed during a Grill The Grid episode that his most embarrassing nickname was “tripod.” Don’t ask…
As it turns out, Nico Hulkenberg was taking notes. Cue Pierre’s mortified-but-delighted reaction when he unwrapped an actual tripod. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that make you want to sink into the floor, because if no one’s been stitched up at least once, is it even Christmas?
9. The shirtless wonder
The gift: Naked torso t-shirtFrom: Lando NorrisTo: George RussellYear: 2021
Lando Norris makes the list again with another gag gift. Lando is known for his cheeky sense of humour with his mates, and this gift was peak Lando and George banter. Using a photo of George Russell’s own chiselled torso, Lando skillfully created a T-shirt that George could wear to remind everyone of his… physique. George’s reaction? A mix of horror and amusement. The fact that George recognised his own torso almost immediately tells you everything!
10. The rookie prank
The gift: Manual breast pumpFrom: Alex AlbonTo: Lando NorrisYear: 2019
Lando Norris is featured on the list for the third time, but this time as a delighted recipient! Alex Albon and Lando go way back, having raced together through the junior ranks. In 2019, Lando and Alex were two of the rookies on the grid, and Alex made sure to commemorate the occasion the only way he knows how: with a manual breast pump. Was it practical? We can’t imagine Lando got much use from it. But, was it memorable? Undoubtedly. That’s what happens when your Secret Santa is also one of your best mates!
11. The Williams welcome
The gift: Modelling clay and puzzleFrom: Carlos SainzTo: Franco ColapintoYear: 2024
Carlos Sainz was joining Williams for 2025, and Franco Colapinto, driving for the team at the time, saw a golden opportunity. Franco received modelling clay and a puzzle from Carlos that year, prompting the Argentinian to build an F1 car for Carlos to welcome him to Williams in return. However, Franco cheekily tossed out the red clay, saying, “Carlos won’t be needing this anymore.” Brutal… but brilliant.
12. The promise kept
The gift: A chilli costumeFrom: Zhou GuanyuTo: Carlos SainzYear: 2024
Zhou Guanyu knew exactly what he was doing when he bought Carlos Sainz a chilli costume for Secret Santa in 2024. Carlos has been known as “Chilli” for years, but this costume came with strings attached. Carlos promised Zhou that if Sauber scored points before the end of the season, he’d wear the chili suit. Just 72 hours later, Zhou delivered Sauber’s only points of the year in Qatar, and Carlos kept his word. A bet’s a bet, and the Spaniard brought some spicy Christmas cheer to the Qatar paddock!
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