Lewis Hamilton responds to Kim Kardashian Monaco Grand Prix backlash
Lewis Hamilton has said it’s ‘amazing’ to have the support of Kim Kardashian after the reality star was slated online for her awkward response to Martin Brundle at Monaco Grand Prix.
The pair were first rumoured to be dating back in February after it was reported that Kardashian had flown to the Cotswolds for a £120,000 date with the F1 star.
Last week, Kardashian ‘hard-launched’ Hamilton sharing some new snaps of the couple out together on a bike ride.
And this weekend, Kardashian headed out to Monaco with sister Khloe to support Hamilton at the most prestigious day in the F1 calendar.
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The Ferrari driver finished second in the race and eagle-eyed fans spotted him blowing a quick kiss to Kardashian before collecting his runner-up trophy.
Speaking to reporters after the race, Hamilton publicly addressed the relationship for the first time.
“It is amazing to have her come this weekend and to have that support,” he said.
“It is amazing to have good people around you, good people supporting you, and she does that for me every day.”
However, the event wasn’t all smooth sailing for Kardashian.
Earlier in the day, she was met with a backlash from F1 fans for her behaviour during the grid walk.
Kardashian was approached by veteran Sky Sports F1 reporter Martin Brundle who attempted to speak to her before the event but was instead met with an awkward silence.
After spotting the sisters in the crowd, Brundle made a beeline for Kardashian, telling viewers: "What could possibly go wrong?"
Approaching her, he asked: "Kim, Martin Brundle, Sky F1, how are you today?" but was greeted with a blank stare.
She then gave Brundle a small wave, before he tried again, telling her: "Normally people have a quick chat with us."
Both women were then ushered away by their entourage and Brundle admitted defeat.
"Kim and Khloe aren't talking today," he added. "Allegedly, they might do later."
The encounter rubbed some F1 fans up the wrong.
"No one is bigger than the sport! She’s also representing one of the greats. It’s not hard to give a few words of your first impression to the entire F1 world," wrote one person on X.
Another wrote: “Kim Kardashian is not too good to talk to Martin Brundle. What a complete lack of class.”
“She was very rude not to even acknowledge him,” a third said.
But not everyone agreed, several fans were more sympathetic towards Kardashian and suggested that she may not be au fait with grid walk etiquette.
"I’m surprised Lewis didn’t pre warn Kim Kardashian about grid lane etiquette and Martin Brundle interviews," someone said.
While another said her ‘publicist should’ve prepared her for paddock traditions’.
What are the rules of celebrities taking part in a Formula 1 grid walk?
While there are no published guidelines for taking part in a grid walk - most likely as none of us reading them would ever be on there - expected etiquette from guests has been widely reported.
According to The Independent, all celebrities on the grid are expected to speak to Brundle when approached for an interview, given his status in the sport.
This came up when model Cara Delevingne declined an interview when approached by Brundle at Silverstone in 2023, with the reporter telling her entourage: "She doesn’t want to talk? But everybody needs to talk on the grid, that’s the deal now."
Topics: Kim Kardashian, Lewis Hamilton
Claire Reid