There’s plenty of storylines heading into the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix weekend, but Kevin Magnussen‘s bathroom habits weren’t expected to be one of them as he celebrates his birthday at the Losail International Circuit.
However, that was what came up within two minutes of the first Formula 1 drivers’ press conference, when Nico Hulkenberg was asked what he’s given his Haas teammate on the Dane’s special day.
Somewhat surprisingly, Magnussen only turns 31 – he’s just five years older than Max Verstappen despite already having seemingly retired from F1 once – but Hulkenberg‘s present shows the bond shared by the teammates.
“Yeah, he got a cake and I have another special gift for later, it’s a personal one,” Hulkenberg told the media. “It’s a toilet brush.”
Why did Hulkenberg give Magnussen a toilet brush?
Magnussen‘s had a tough season so far on-track, despite picking up his third points finish of 2023 recently at the Singapore GP.
That’s in comparison to Hulkenberg who’s silenced his critics after returning to F1 following a three-year absence, though the atmosphere between the one-time rivals has remained a friendly one.
However, if Hulkenberg‘s to be believed, it’s not been an entirely smooth ride off the track for the Haas pairing.
“All I can really say is that, in the European season, the driver rooms are in the back of the trucks and we share a toilet and the shower and stuff,” Hulkenberg added. “So that’s all I can say.”
Hulkenberg leads Magnussen by nine points to three in the drivers’ championship, while Haas are attempting to hold off Alfa Romeo in the constructors’ standings.
They’re just two points ahead of the Swiss team and expecting upgrades next time out at the US GP, but would need a big jump forwards to close the nine-point gap to Williams in seventh.
