Upstaged by Daniel Ricciardo all year, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel would have been forgiven for not having the Australian driver on his 2014 Christmas card list.
However, it seems there were no hard feelings after Vettel revealed on Thursday that Ricciardo had provided some festive cheer for his former teammate.
But Vettel, 27, is not expecting any more favours when he makes his official Ferrari debut at this weekend's Australian Grand Prix after admitting he had a "lot to prove" in 2015.
The German won four world titles with Red Bull but left the team that had backed him since he was 12 after being outshone in 2014 by surprise packet Ricciardo, who won three races and Vettel none.
And it seems the surprises kept coming at Christmas.
"He got me a nice present at Christmas which was a nice surprise," said Vettel without elaborating ahead of this weekend's Formula One season opener in Melbourne.
"But last year I think it (Ricciardo's form) was a surprise for everyone.
"I was in the team and I saw what he did and it wasn't luck. He really deserved what he achieved last year."
Asked about Ricciardo's chances this weekend, Vettel said: "I hope his chances aren't too good because we are now racing against each other.
"He did a very good job last year.
"At this stage it is difficult to see where everyone is."
Vettel looked forward to a "new beginning" with Ferrari alongside new teammate Kimi Raikkonen.
"I changed teams so I feel I have a lot to prove; everything is new for me," he said.
"I want to improve myself, learn from last year.
"Last year didn't work out the way I would have liked. But it gave me the opportunity to be where I am now.
"It's definitely a new challenge."
Asked if he was friends with former world champion Raikkonen, Vettel said: "It depends on your understanding of friends.
"But we have known each other for a long time and he is treating me with a lot of respect which I appreciate.
"I don't expect any difficulties on a personal level."
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