Formula One fans have hit out at comedian Jack Whitehall for a joke he made about Ferrari star Charles Leclerc.
F1 fans were treated to their first look at what to expect in the 2025 season during the F1 75 launch event at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday.
Comedian Whitehall hosted the event which saw all 10 teams reveal the liveries on their 2025 cars, with the 20 drivers also in attendance.
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Although the event was generally received well by Formula One fans, there was one moment between Whitehall and Ferrari driver Leclerc that went too far and left viewers cringing.
Throughout the evening, Whitehall aimed several jokes towards the biggest names in the sport, poking fun at them for the drama they created both on and off the track last season.
However, when it came to Leclerc the comedian decided to make a joke about something far from the Formula One track, his love life.
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Introducing Leclerc during the event, Whitehall said: "The most handsome man on the grid, there he is! Yes, it's the man my fiancee imagines when we make love.
"Hell, it's the guy I imagine when me and my fiancee make love, it's Charles Leclerc!
"What a year Charles had! Winner at Monza, winner at Monaco and runner-up in that lookalike competition for Timothee Chalamet."
Cameras immediately cut to Leclerc in the moment, as the 27-year-old awkwardly laughed at the joke before looking at the floor, no doubt hoping it would swallow him up.
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Reacting to the moment on TikTok, one fan wrote: "Imagine being introduced like that. Why would he say that."
Another agreed, adding: "That information was not needed at all."
While one noted: "Well, that’s a bit awkward."
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But one fan defended the comedian, commenting: "I don't get all the hate towards Jack, he was a great host and has a good sense of humour"
Later in the evening, Whitehall made another comment about his admiration for Leclerc's appearance, albeit much less x-rated than his previous joke.
"I got lost in Charles Leclerc's eyes, you can't look at me like that, I am bit flustered now."
Topics: Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Formula 1
Ben McCrum