Formula One Season Begins with Barcelona Testing and Hilarious Off-Track Moments
The highly anticipated new Formula One season has officially commenced, with drivers experiencing their first taste of the upgraded cars during the initial shakedown sessions in Barcelona. While the on-track activities remain closed to both media and the public, a delightful throwback video has captured widespread attention online, showcasing Charles Leclerc's amusing lost passport anecdotes.
Charles Leclerc's Passport Mishaps Leave Lewis Hamilton in Stitches
During a lighthearted media interaction in Azerbaijan last year, drivers were questioned about whether they had ever misplaced their passports. Interestingly, several drivers admitted to such incidents, with Charles Leclerc emerging as the standout story. In a video shared on F1's official X account, Leclerc revealed that his passport had ended up in the washing machine not once, but multiple times.
When his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton inquired about how many times Leclerc had lost his passport, the Monegasque driver responded, "Three times." He elaborated, "Sometimes I leave it in my jeans, and then it goes through the washing machine." As Hamilton humorously probed further, asking if three of Leclerc's passports were now with someone else, Leclerc clarified, "I only have two, just for safety reasons."
The exchange continued with Hamilton joking about someone possibly still having the passport, to which Leclerc replied, "Oh no, no, no. Then you cancel it. It's not like they can travel on it." He then added with a laugh, "Oh, probably. If anyone has it out there, bring it back, please." Hamilton capped off the moment by quipping, "The washing machine eats it!"
F1 Fans React with Amusement and Relatability
Fans across social media platforms were just as entertained as Hamilton by Leclerc's candid confession. One fan remarked, "Even F1 drivers have off-track mishaps, who hasn't had a laundry-day disaster?" Another added, "Even legends have off-track moments." A third fan humorously noted, "F1 mastery at 200 mph, but a simple rinse cycle is the one apex they missed." Others summed it up by saying, "Happens to the best of us!" highlighting the relatability of such everyday blunders.
George Russell Tops Barcelona Test with Impressive Performance
On the track, George Russell set the pace during the Barcelona test on Wednesday, surpassing the time set by Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar from Monday. Russell expressed his enthusiasm for the new cars, stating, "There was a lot of anticipation around these power units. The amount of power they give is pretty impressive. Watching all the different power units today, it's probably the quickest I've ever seen an F1 car pass here in Barcelona, which was pretty exciting to see."
He further added, "The cars do generally feel smaller, and you can feel the weight reduction compared to previous years. From that aspect as well, it's gone in a good direction." The Barcelona test is scheduled to continue until January 30, followed by remaining livery launches and two additional tests in Bahrain. The season will officially kick off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8.
Looking Ahead: F1 Season and Off-Track Entertainment
As the Formula One community gears up for another thrilling season, moments like Leclerc's passport saga serve as a reminder of the human side behind the high-speed glamour. With testing underway and drivers fine-tuning their skills, fans can expect a blend of intense competition and lighthearted off-track interactions that make the sport so captivating.
