Oscar Piastri’s girlfriend Lily Zneimer brought an unexpectedly harmonious tone to Formula One’s title-deciding weekend by hosting a birthday dinner for several F1 partners in Abu Dhabi - just as their other halves prepare to battle for the world championship at Yas Marina.
Zneimer gathered a select group of WAGs at a restaurant close to the circuit, marking her birthday by treating her guests rather than the other way around.
Each attendee received a personalised watercolour portrait featuring their name, as well as a Christian Dior book - a level of generosity that did not go unnoticed among the paddock.
The gathering drew a high-profile guest list.
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Charles Leclerc’s fiancée Alexandra Saint Mleux attended, joined by Pierre Gasly’s partner Kika Gomes and Esteban Ocon’s girlfriend Flavy Barla.
Also present was Magui Corceiro, who is in a relationship with Piastri’s McLaren colleague, and championship rival, Lando Norris.
That last inclusion was particularly striking given the ultra-fine margins separating the McLaren pair going into Sunday’s finale.
F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWSNorris leads the standings on 408 points, holding a precarious 12-point advantage over Max Verstappen and 16 over Piastri.
Either McLaren driver could still end the season as world champion, depending on the permutations.
Despite that backdrop, the social atmosphere appeared notably relaxed.
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Oscar Piastri will have the support of girlfriend Lily Zneimer at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
|GETTY
On track, however, the situation is far from simple.
Asked on Thursday whether McLaren should impose team orders, such as instructing Piastri to concede position if Norris stood to benefit, the Briton pushed the question away.
“It hasn’t been discussed,” he said.
“Honestly, I would love it. But I don’t think I would ask it because… I don’t know. It’s up to Oscar if he would allow it. I don’t think it’s necessarily down to me.
“It’s the same if it was the other way around. Would I be willing or not?
"Personally I think I would because I feel like I’m always like that. But I don’t want to ask it because I don’t think it’s a fair question.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will fight for the F1 title on Sunday
| REUTERS“If that’s how it ends and Max wins, then that’s it. Congrats to him and we look forward to next year.
"It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change my life. He would deserve it.”
Piastri, presented with the hypothetical, was similarly careful.
“It is not something we have discussed,” he said. “Until I know what’s expected, I don’t have an answer.”
For now, at least, personal relationships appear unfazed by competitive tension.
The sight of Zneimer and Corceiro happily seated at the same table suggests the rivalry between their partners has yet to spill beyond the cockpit.
Whether that remains the case after Sunday's race remains to be seen.