In the high-speed world of Formula 1, where tenths of a second decide careers and millions of dollars are spent chasing glory, it’s often the off-track drama that grabs headlines. This week, the spotlight didn’t fall on Ferrari’s golden boy Charles Leclerc for his lap times, but rather on something much more… culinary. Or perhaps “confusing” is the better word.

On Monday evening, Alexandra Saint Mleux — Leclerc’s 22-year-old art history student girlfriend — uploaded a seemingly innocent Instagram Story showing her dinner plate during a private yacht trip along the Italian Riviera. What should have been just another glamorous snapshot of the couple’s enviable lifestyle instead ignited a hilarious storm of fan reactions.

The culprit? An arrangement of what she called “seasonal amuse-bouches”, featuring three tiny artfully plated items: a foam-topped morsel that looked suspiciously like shaving cream on a biscuit, a single pickled radish slice dusted with gold flakes, and a miniature cube of something that might have been cheese… or possibly soap.

Beneath the post, Alexandra captioned simply: “Dinner tonight 🌊✨”.

The Internet Erupts

It didn’t take long for fans to start commenting. Screenshots of her plate circulated rapidly on Twitter, TikTok, and F1 meme pages, with one particular quote stealing the show:

“I don’t get rich people food.”

That comment alone racked up over 15,000 likes within two hours. Others were equally baffled:

“If I ate that, I’d still be hungry before the waiter even cleared the table.”

“I thought this was a soap-making workshop.”

“Imagine paying €500 for the privilege of going home and making instant noodles after.”

Even non-F1 fans joined in, turning Alexandra’s plate into a global meme template for “expectation vs. reality” jokes.

Cultural Gap or Culinary Pretension?

Some defended Alexandra, pointing out that fine dining is about the artistry, the rare ingredients, and the experience, not about quantity. A French user commented: “This is gastronomy, not a buffet.” Another chimed in: “It’s about taste, texture, and presentation — each bite is meant to be savored like art.”

But many others weren’t buying it. Food blogger and TikTok personality Jake Munro posted a reaction video titled “Rich People’s Hunger Games”, in which he recreated Alexandra’s plate using whipped cream, a radish, and a block of Dove soap. The video got 2.3 million views in under 24 hours.

Charles Leclerc’s Subtle Response

Leclerc himself hasn’t commented directly, but fans believe he made a tongue-in-cheek reference in a post-practice interview at the Dutch Grand Prix. When asked if he was hungry after training, he smiled and said: “No, I had a very small… very fancy lunch.” The knowing chuckle from the assembled reporters suggests everyone knew what he meant.

Luxury Lifestyle Under the Microscope

This isn’t the first time an F1 WAG (wives and girlfriends) has faced backlash for a social media post. The lifestyles of those orbiting the sport’s elite drivers are often scrutinized for excess, and Alexandra’s plate has become the latest symbol in an ongoing conversation about wealth, privilege, and relatability.

PR expert Marissa Denby told Motorsport Weekly: “Fans love Charles, but there’s a fine line between aspirational and alienating content. Posts like these can unintentionally reinforce stereotypes about the F1 bubble being detached from reality.”

From Dinner Plate to Digital Fame

Ironically, the whole episode might have worked in Alexandra’s favor. Her follower count jumped from 118,000 to 143,000 within two days, and she has already been approached by two gourmet lifestyle brands for collaborations — though whether she accepts them remains to be seen.

As for the infamous plate itself, the restaurant responsible — a Michelin-starred spot in Portofino — issued a statement defending its cuisine:

“Our amuse-bouches are designed to awaken the senses and prepare the palate for the journey ahead. They are not intended as a full meal.”

The chef, visibly amused by the situation, also added: “We do offer bread. A lot of bread.”

The Meme That Won’t Die

If the internet has taught us anything, it’s that memes have a much longer shelf life than most celebrity controversies. Alexandra’s plate has already been photoshopped into space, served to medieval kings, and handed to Gordon Ramsay with a horrified expression. One Reddit thread is entirely dedicated to “What’s Missing From Alexandra’s Plate” — with entries ranging from “actual food” to “a second plate at KFC.”

Conclusion: More Than Just a Meal

While this may seem like a trivial social media moment, it reveals something deeper about the relationship between celebrities and their audiences in the digital age. A single photo — not of a race, a gala, or even a fashion shoot, but of a dinner plate — has sparked debates about wealth, culture, and the sometimes absurd nature of luxury living.

For Charles Leclerc, the season’s real challenge may not just be on the track, but in keeping the public’s attention on his driving rather than his dinner.

And for Alexandra? Well, next time she posts a food pic, she might want to pair it with a hearty bowl of pasta — if only to stop the internet from getting hungry again.