Celebrity F1 fan Jeremy Clarkson has hailed Charles Leclerc\u2019s bold Dutch Grand Prix pass on George Russell as \u201cTHE overtake\u201d of the F1 2025 season.<\/p>\n
And he has likened the Monegasque to Ferrari icon Gilles Villeneuve, describing Leclerc\u2019s move at Zandvoort as \u201cproper racing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeremy Clarkson impressed by Charles Leclerc overtake on George Russell<\/p>\n
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher<\/p>\n
Leclerc launched a stunning move on Russell at the chicane on Lap 32 at the Dutch Grand Prix, braking late to force his way alongside the Mercedes driver on the right-hand entry.<\/p>\n
The Ferrari man completed the pass at the following left-hander, making minor contact with Russell\u2019s car in the process.<\/p>\n
The collision was the subject of a post-race investigation by the FIA stewards, who took no further action.<\/p>\n
Analysis: Dutch Grand Prix<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Dutch GP conclusions: Piastri breaks Norris\u2019s spirit, unavoidable Hadjar mistake, Hamilton\u2019s realisation<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0Dutch GP driver ratings: Hamilton clanger, Hadjar\u2019s heroics, Piastri domination<\/a><\/p>\n A section of the stewards\u2019 report read: \u201cWe also looked into whether Car 16 remained on the track or left the track at Turn 12.<\/p>\n \u201cThe available evidence was inconclusive as to whether Car 16 left the track.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth team representatives were in agreement that there was no clear evidence that Car 16 had left the track.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth drivers felt that this was a racing incident and that there should be no further consequence to either driver for the incident.<\/p>\n \u201cWe reviewed all the available evidence and arrived at the same conclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n Clarkson was left speechless by Leclerc\u2019s move on Russell, taking to social media in the immediate aftermath of the overtake to air his admiration.<\/p>\n He wrote: \u201cLeClerc [sic]. Holy s**t. That\u2019s proper racing.\u201d<\/p>\n Put to him by a fan that Leclerc\u2019s move was one of the best overtakes of the F1 2025 season, Clarkson replied: \u201cTHE overtake.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked if Leclerc\u2019s move was reminiscent of the late Villeneuve, who claimed all six of his career wins with Ferrari before his tragic death in 1982, he added: \u201cExactly. That was pure Giles [sic]. So cool.\u201d<\/p>\n Leclerc went on to retire from the race after 52 laps following a collision with Russell\u2019s Mercedes team-mate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, at the banked Turn 3.<\/p>\n Clarkson appeared to take a dim view of the rookie\u2019s ambitious move, adding: \u201cAntonelli is a teenager.\u201d<\/p>\n More on Charles Leclerc and Ferrari from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Charles Leclerc news<\/a><\/p>\n