Formula 1 meets chess as Charles Leclerc and Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura face off in a one-of-a-kind Chivas Regal challenge ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
What happens when one of Formula 1’s fastest drivers goes head-to-head with one of the world’s greatest chess minds? Ahead of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Charles Leclerc and chess Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura came together for an unexpected battle of strategy, precision and pressure.
Hosted by Chivas Regal at its Arena of Mastery, the one-time-only showdown saw Leclerc take on Nakamura across a single board, bringing together two very different worlds through a shared obsession with making the right move.
Charles Leclerc vs Hikaru Nakamura
The showdown was built around two creations that share a common philosophy: Chivas Regal 16 Year Old and SE!ZE, Leclerc’s bespoke chess-inspired game.
Both were created around the idea that every decision matters.
For Leclerc, that mindset is already familiar. As a Formula 1 driver, split-second decisions can make the difference between victory and defeat. His latest collaboration with Chivas Regal takes that mentality beyond the racetrack, with the Ferrari driver playing a key role in developing both the whisky and SE!ZE.
On the other side of the board was Nakamura, one of the most recognisable and formidable names in modern chess.
The result was an unusual meeting between two elite competitors, with speed, strategy and decision-making taking centre stage.
From the Bottle to the Board
Chivas Regal 16 Year Old and SE!ZE are connected by more than their association with Leclerc.
The whisky is made using 16 carefully selected whiskies, each aged for at least 16 years, while Leclerc personally selected Longmorn Single Malt, matured in sherry casks, as the signature component of the blend.
The number 16 also carries personal significance for Leclerc, becoming a central part of the collaboration.
SE!ZE takes the same philosophy into the world of gaming. Every move is designed to have consequences, forcing players to think strategically while dealing with the pressure of making decisions in real time.
It’s a fitting concept for a driver whose career is built around analysing situations, managing pressure and finding the smallest possible advantage.
A Battle of Strategy at Monza
The Chivas Regal Arena of Mastery was packed with fans as Leclerc and Nakamura went head-to-head.
With a live audience watching every move, the event transformed the normally quiet concentration of a chess match into something much more theatrical.
Every decision was met with a reaction from the crowd, while the unusual pairing highlighted the similarities between elite motorsport and competitive chess — two disciplines where preparation, concentration and decision-making can prove decisive.
For Leclerc, taking on Nakamura also meant facing one of the world’s leading strategic thinkers at a game connected directly to his own creative vision.
“I’ve faced plenty of challenges in my career, but stepping into the Chivas Regal Arena of Mastery was something entirely different,” said Charles Leclerc, Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal.
“SE!ZE and Chivas Regal 16 are built on the same idea: that every choice matters and nothing happens by accident.”
Leclerc added that facing one of the world’s greatest strategic minds at his own game brought the concept of mastery to life in an unexpected way.
Hikaru Nakamura Takes on SE!ZE
For Nakamura, the challenge was equally unconventional.
The Grandmaster is accustomed to competing in front of huge audiences, but SE!ZE presented a different kind of test, combining the strategic thinking associated with chess with a faster-paced gaming experience.
“Charles and Chivas Regal built a game that keeps you on edge from the first move: fast, precise, with no margin for error and where every decision matters,” said Hikaru Nakamura.
For Nakamura, the experience demonstrated that mastery isn’t simply about understanding a game — it’s also about performing when the pressure is at its highest.
What Is SE!ZE?
SE!ZE is a chess-inspired digital game created by Charles Leclerc, developed around the idea that every decision can change the outcome.
The game is expected to become available to play digitally later in 2026, giving fans the opportunity to experience Leclerc’s take on strategic gaming for themselves.
Fans can sign up to play SE!ZE via Chivas Regal ahead of its digital launch.
Chivas Regal 16 Year Old
The showdown also puts the spotlight on Chivas Regal 16 Year Old, Leclerc’s debut co-created whisky with Master Blender Sandy Hyslop.
The expression brings together 16 whiskies aged for a minimum of 16 years, with the number reflecting a detail that has become closely associated with the Ferrari driver’s career.
Chivas Regal has increasingly connected its brand with the world of sport and competition. The brand is currently a Team Partner of Scuderia Ferrari HP, as well as the Official Whisky Partner of Arsenal FC.
You can find out more about the range and the brand through the official Chivas Regal website.
From Formula 1 to Chess
The Leclerc-Nakamura showdown might seem like an unlikely pairing, but the underlying similarities between their worlds are hard to miss.
Both Formula 1 and chess demand preparation, calculation and the ability to react when circumstances suddenly change. While one takes place at hundreds of kilometres per hour and the other across a board, both ultimately come down to making the right decision at the right moment.
And with the Italian Grand Prix providing the backdrop, there was perhaps no better place for Leclerc to step away from the racetrack and test another side of his competitive mindset.
Chivas Regal 16 Year Old is available with an RRP of £64.00/$69.99. SE!ZE is expected to launch digitally later this year.
Please enjoy Chivas Regal responsibly and never drink and drive.
