The ultimate F1 Christmas gift guide: Picking the... .

The ultimate F1 Christmas gift guide: Picking the… .read more

If you’ve ever found yourself imagining what you might gift to a Formula 1 team for Christmas, you’re not alone! At GPFans, we’ve embraced this fun, hypothetical scenario and come up with a thoughtful, team-specific gift guide. Instead of generic presents, we’ve focused on what each team truly needs heading into the 2025 season.

For McLaren, after narrowly missing out on the 2024 drivers’ title with Lando Norris, the team would likely appreciate a driver’s championship as the ultimate gift. Though this is an abstract offering, it’s exactly what McLaren would crave to take their performance to the next level. Additionally, a basket of papayas would be a cheeky nod to their efforts to make “Team Papaya” a thing.

Ferrari, having failed to land Adrian Newey’s signature for 2025, could use a surprise gift that’s a bit bolder: how about the signing of Newey himself? While this might sound like a kidnapping plot, it would certainly solve their engineering woes. If you’re feeling extra generous, you could also consider gifting them a faster engine, although that may be a bit too expensive for the average holiday budget.

For Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, it’s not about what he wants but what he needs. A leather-bound copy of the FIA rulebook would be the perfect stocking filler to remind him of fair racing practices. This gift would also give Christian Horner something to read aloud to Verstappen during the off-season.

Mercedes could use a gift of new sidepods, especially after their struggles with the no-sidepod concept. A set of Red Bull-style sidepods would not only help their 2025 car perform better but also bring some much-needed competition to the title fight. After all, everyone loves a multi-team championship battle!

Lance Stroll, often the target of criticism, could use a more personal gift: driving lessons. After his embarrassing formation lap incident at the Brazilian Grand Prix, a few lessons would go a long way in helping Stroll clean up his act on the track.

Alpine’s gift for 2025 could be a reliable engine, which was one of their main struggles in 2024. With their sixth-place finish in the constructors’ standings, a boost in engine performance would set them up for a strong start to the new season.

Haas, under new leadership since the departure of Guenther Steiner, could benefit from a fresh new look for their car. A vibrant new livery would inject some much-needed energy into the team, which could help with both performance and morale.

For Red Bull, it’s all about stability. With the revolving door of drivers in recent years, a gift that secures a solid, consistent driver lineup, like Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar, would be invaluable. It would break the “Red Bull curse” and provide a long-term solution to their driver woes.

Williams had a tough 2024 season, with frequent car damage and crashes leaving them scrambling for spare parts. This Christmas, they would appreciate a gift of extra parts to keep their cars running smoothly. Additionally, a holiday voucher for the mechanics could offer some much-needed relaxation after a challenging year.

Finally, Sauber, who endured a disastrous start to the 2024 season, would benefit from intensive pit crew training. With a few more drills under their belts, Sauber’s crew could avoid any future pit stop blunders and improve their overall performance in 2025.

In the end, Christmas isn’t just about what teams want but what they truly need to succeed, and with this carefully crafted guide, you’ll be sure to surprise them with the perfect gift.