Jeremy Clarkson Hails Charles Leclerc's "So Cool" Dutch GP Overtake

Why it matters: F1 enthusiast and celebrity Jeremy Clarkson declared Charles Leclerc's aggressive pass on George Russell at the Dutch Grand Prix as "THE overtake" of the 2025 season, likening it to the legendary Gilles Villeneuve.

The incident:

• On Lap 32, Leclerc executed a late-braking maneuver on Russell at the Zandvoort chicane, making minor contact.
• FIA stewards investigated but deemed it a racing incident, with both drivers agreeing.
• Clarkson's immediate reaction on social media: "LeClerc. Holy s**t. That’s proper racing," later clarifying it as "THE overtake" and "pure Giles. So cool."

Leclerc's perspective:

• Leclerc described the move as "aggressive" and "on the limit," stating he would "always be aggressive" for constructor points.
• He added, "I don’t think he expected me to go for the outside. And then he did the corner just like if I wasn’t there, so then we touched."

The aftermath:

• Leclerc later retired after a collision with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Turn 3.
• Clarkson commented, "Antonelli is a teenager."
• Leclerc called Antonelli's move a "mistake" due to "too much" aggression, though not necessarily a "rookie mistake."

The big picture: Clarkson's strong endorsement highlights the dramatic nature of Leclerc's move, emphasizing the raw, aggressive side of F1 racing often appreciated by fans and experts alike.