The Brit was gifted none other than a painting depicting the overtake he suffered around the outside at last summer’s Dutch Grand Prix — widely regarded as one of the finest, if borderline, moves of the season.

His reaction upon unwrapping the gift said it all: “Look at that. It’s so kind of him. He can only overtake illegally, so that’s all he’s got in the locker — bashing people off the track. I’m lost for words, to be honest. I’m lost for words.”

Asked whether he wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas, Russell jokingly added: “He doesn’t deserve it. Not really, to be honest. Not really. Maybe I’ll get him another photo, one of Kimi crashing him out of the race, and remind him what happens a few laps later. Thanks, Charles. Thanks for nothing.”

The British driver came agonisingly close to a flawless campaign, only for the Monaco Grand Prix to ruin his perfect record. Russell completed 99.9% of all race laps in 2025 — 1,442 out of a possible 1,444 — narrowly missing out on a clean sweep.

Monaco proved to be the decisive setback. A mechanical issue in qualifying on Saturday left the Mercedes driver on the back foot, and during the race he found himself stuck behind the Williams cars for long spells.

In an attempt to make progress, Russell cut the Nouvelle Chicane to pass Alexander Albon, a move that earned him a drive-through penalty. As a result, he crossed the line two laps down on race winner Lando Norris.