Bernie's cheeky Christmas card shows apologetic Lewis

London, England - Bernie Ecclestone has drawn his 2015 to a close with his traditional Christmas card to friends.

This year's edition of the F1 supremo's always humorous summary of the season shows the Mercedes car of an apologetic Lewis Hamilton piled high with gifts as the world champion declares: "Sorry for the early delivery!"

A cap-hurling Nico Rosberg, meanwhile, stands nearby and adds: "I tried to make up for it!"

Cheeky cards

But an even cheekier card has been distributed by Red Bull, the former quadruple world champions who this year were denied a switch to Mercedes power.

It depicts Toto Wolff being run over by a leg-powered Flinstones car driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat, as the caption reads: "Bernie took pity on Red Bull and offered up a car from his personal collection."

Ecclestone has also appeared in comments made by the promoter of F1's new grand prix for 2016 in Azerbaijan.

Arif Rahimov told Russia's Championat: "Very few people in the world are as experienced in negotiations."

"You know that his (Ecclestone's) every word, his every movement has a great meaning, but after we signed the contract, Bernie began to actively help us even in the areas in which we did not agree."

Here's Bernie's cheeky 2015 Christmas card:

What a cryptic and slightly sinister message from Bernie Ecclestone inside his annual Christmas card...?? pic.twitter.com/XwUxPWNCG2

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) December 21, 2015