Last Updated on February 12 2026, 8:49 pm
With the start of the 2026 Formula One season fast approaching, a rumour far removed from lap times and technical updates has taken over the paddock. According to reports in the British press, long-time friends Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian may now be a couple.
Over the weekend, several tabloids published details of an alleged romantic getaway involving the seven-time world champion and the American celebrity, setting social media alight. While Hamilton’s ambitions on the track with Ferrari remain firmly in focus, it is his life off the track that is currently attracting the most attention.
A fresh start after a difficult Ferrari debut
Hamilton heads into the 2026 season determined to put a disappointing first year with Ferrari behind him. His highly anticipated move to the Italian team in 2025 failed to deliver the expected results, with the British driver enduring one of the toughest campaigns of his illustrious career.
However, early signs suggest a potential turnaround. During winter testing in Barcelona, Hamilton impressed by setting the fastest lap time in Ferrari’s new SF-26. This performance has raised hopes that the seven-time world champion could once again be a regular contender at the front of the grid.
However, it is a very different story that appears to be dominating the headlines surrounding the British driver at the moment.
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Spotted in Paris
A Paris appearance sparked an online frenzy at the end of January when a short video began circulating on social media. The footage appeared to show Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian arriving together at a luxury hotel in Paris, walking side by side but discreetly.
Shortly afterwards, the American tabloid TMZ published an additional video that further intensified the rumours. The images quickly went viral, prompting fans and commentators alike to question whether Hamilton and Kardashian’s relationship had evolved beyond friendship.
Both stars are no strangers to intense media scrutiny, making the Paris sighting all the more intriguing.
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Are they just friends or is there more to it?
Hamilton and Kardashian have known each other for several years, frequently appearing together at fashion events, social gatherings, and other high-profile occasions. Until now, their relationship has always been described as a close friendship, built around mutual respect and shared interests.
However, this latest sighting has led many to believe that a romance may have blossomed between the Formula One icon and the reality TV star turned business mogul. Neither Hamilton nor Kardashian has publicly commented on the reports, adding to the mystery surrounding the situation.
According to people close to them, they both value their privacy, which could explain the absence of any official statement.
“Everything seemed very romantic…”
Adding fuel to the speculation, an eyewitness who claims to have seen the pair together spoke to the British newspaper The Sun. The anonymous source described an intimate and carefully guarded stay.
“Everything seemed very romantic,” the source reportedly said.
“Kim and Lewis took advantage of all the facilities available. She was accompanied by two bodyguards, and Lewis had a close protection officer, but they kept to themselves.”
The source also claimed that security was particularly tight, with two guards stationed outside their room to ensure they were not disturbed. Such details have only intensified public curiosity about the true nature of their relationship.
Will the couple go public?
For now, the alleged romance remains firmly in the realm of rumour. As the 2026 season approaches, Hamilton is expected to refocus entirely on racing, while Kardashian continues to juggle her extensive business and media commitments.
Whether or not the pair will make their relationship official in the coming weeks remains to be seen. Until then, speculation is likely to continue, ensuring that Lewis Hamilton’s name stays in the headlines for reasons extending well beyond Formula One.
NEXT ARTICLE – Safety concerns raised over dramatic closing speeds in new F1 era
The all new Formula One era has been eagerly anticipated although the recent test in Barcelona behind closed doors has kept fans and F1 analysts alike guessing as to who will come out on top. Following drivers having tested their new machines in the simulator before the five days at the Circuit de Catalunya, the consensus was that in 2026 there will be a lot more overtaking.
Gone is the Drag Reduction system in use since 2011, which was introduced to improver overtaking although its usefulness came under fire in recent years. At certain circuits a car wishing to overtake the one in front needed to be as much as a second a lap quicker then its prey even with the DRS engaged.
In, is an Indycar style push to pass system which will allow a driver to deploy extra energy from the battery to either make a pass or to defend a potential overtake. With the electrical energy available more than three times that of the previous F1 era, harvesting energy will become a critical part of the drivers armoury.
Massive closing speeds in Barcelona test
However, what is clear from Barcelona is that a number of the cars were running out of charge before the end of the front straight. This means the driver will then either lift and coast or more likely shift down through the gears to increase the engine revs and use the internal combustion engine as a generator for the battery pack.
With one driver harvesting on the straight, whilst the one behind is deploying their battery power the closing speeds between the cars will increase dramatically compared to last season. Toto Wolff revealed that…CONTINUE READING
Sofia Trevena is an academic-turned-journalist with a background in cultural studies and published research on global sports. She examines Formula 1 as both a competition and a cultural phenomenon, providing analysis grounded in both scholarship and journalism. She also has a love of Formula 1 history and writes often on that topic.
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
