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When it comes to celebrity dating rosters, few can compete with seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The British racing legend has been linked to some of the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, and music over the years—and now, the rumor mill is spinning with news that he’s been spending time with none other than Kim Kardashian herself.
Let’s spill all the tea on Hamilton’s impressive dating history, which reads like a who’s who of Hollywood’s most glamorous women.
The Kim Kardashian Connection: What We Know So Far
The internet practically broke in early 2026 when word got out that Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton have been getting cozy. According to a source who confirmed the news to Us Weekly, the reality TV mogul and the F1 superstar have been on “a few dates recently,” though things are reportedly just “casual” at this point.
Here’s the thing that makes this pairing so fascinating: Kim and Lewis have actually been “longtime friends” before these recent dates. If you’ve been following celebrity circles for a while, you know that Kim has always had connections to the sports world—and Hamilton has always moved in A-list entertainment circles. The fact that their friendship might be evolving into something more has fans buzzing.
Of course, anyone who knows Kim’s dating history knows she tends to go for high-profile, successful men. And Hamilton? Well, he’s not just any athlete. He’s one of the most decorated drivers in Formula 1 history, a fashion icon in his own right, and someone who’s been romantically linked to an absolutely stunning roster of famous women.
The Nicole Scherzinger Era: Seven Years of On-Again, Off-Again Drama
If we’re talking about Lewis Hamilton’s most significant relationship, we absolutely have to start with Nicole Scherzinger. The former Pussycat Dolls singer and Hamilton were the definition of an “it couple” in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
The pair met at an MTV awards ceremony in 2007 and began dating shortly after. What followed was seven years of romance that kept fans and tabloids guessing at every turn. Their relationship was famously on-and-off, with the couple breaking up and reconciling multiple times over the years.
The speculation about their future reached fever pitch in 2011 when engagement rumors started swirling. Scherzinger herself had to address the gossip directly, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to set the record straight: “Lewis and I woke up this morning and read we were engaged! Sorry to disappoint u all but its not true:),” she wrote, per TODAY.com.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MAY 29: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes and his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls walk in the paddock following qualifying for the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at Istanbul Park on May 29, 2010, in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Despite the playful denial, fans continued to root for the couple. Unfortunately, Hamilton and Scherzinger called it quits for good in 2015, and Nicole’s statement at the time showed just how emotional the split was.
“I’m devastated that it didn’t work out. It was the hardest decision we had to make, but we made it together,” Scherzinger said, per People. “I love Lewis, and I know he loves me. We wish nothing but happiness and the very best for one another. I’m trying to stay strong in my faith right now.”
Seven years is a long time in celebrity relationship terms, and the fact that their breakup was described as a mutual decision they made “together” suggests there was genuine love and respect between them—even at the end.
The Rihanna Rumors
Now here’s where things get really interesting for celebrity watchers. In August 2015—right around the time Hamilton’s relationship with Scherzinger was ending—he sparked major relationship speculation with none other than Rihanna.
The rumors started flying after Hamilton was spotted spending time on Rihanna’s yacht in Barbados. As if that wasn’t enough to get people talking, the two were also seen hanging out together at the Grand Kadooment Day carnival that same month. For those unfamiliar, this is one of the biggest cultural celebrations in Barbados, and the fact that Hamilton was there with RiRi had everyone convinced something romantic was brewing.
Hamilton addressed the speculation directly in an interview with E! News in 2015, though his response was pretty diplomatic.
“You know, I’ve known Ri for a long time,” Hamilton said, shutting down the romance rumors. “We’ve been friends for a while. We get to hang out every now and again but otherwise we’ve just been friends.”
The “just friends” explanation is one we’ve heard from Hamilton multiple times over the years—and honestly, it’s become something of a pattern. Whether he’s being genuinely honest about platonic friendships or just protecting his privacy, the man knows how to keep people guessing.
The Kardashian-Jenner Connection: Kendall Before Kim?
Here’s a fun fact that makes the current Kim Kardashian dating news even more interesting: Lewis Hamilton was actually linked to Kendall Jenner back in 2015. That’s right—before Kim, there was Kendall.
In September 2015, Kendall was spotted in New York City with Hamilton, immediately sparking dating rumors. However, Hamilton was quick to clarify the situation when speaking with E! News.
“Me and Kendall have been friends for a while, so we’re just friends,” Hamilton insisted. But he didn’t stop there—he actually had some really sweet things to say about the model. “She’s doing incredible, she’s very focused, very level-headed, and she’s just — for such a young woman, she’s very grown up.”
So Hamilton has clearly been in the Kardashian-Jenner orbit for years now. The family connection makes his current reported dates with Kim feel less random and more like a natural evolution of existing social circles.
Supermodel Status: Gigi Hadid and Barbara Palvin
Hamilton has definitely had a thing for supermodels over the years. Shortly after his split from Scherzinger, he was linked to Gigi Hadid. The pair were spotted spending time together on several occasions, though neither ever confirmed the romance rumors publicly.
The Gigi speculation reignited in 2018 when the two appeared together in a Tommy Hilfiger campaign. Working together professionally while having a rumored romantic history? That’s the kind of drama celebrity watchers live for.
Then there was Barbara Palvin, the stunning Victoria’s Secret model who was linked to Hamilton in 2016. The rumors started after they were photographed together at a L’Oréal party during Paris Fashion Week in March 2016. Two months later, they showed up together at the amfAR gala during the Cannes Film Festival.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – JULY 24: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP gets a congratulatory hug from model Barbara Palvin during the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 24, 2016 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Palvin even jetted off to watch Hamilton race at the F1 Grand Prix in Hungary that summer, and the two were seen together on several other occasions. Eventually, the pair parted ways, but their time together definitely made for some gorgeous photo opportunities.
Winnie Harlow: The Secret Romance?
Model Winnie Harlow and Hamilton reportedly had something going on that they kept largely under wraps. In September 2016, reports surfaced that the two had been “secretly dating for months” after attending the GQ Men of the Year Awards together.
When Hamilton appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’s show in October 2016, he claimed he was “not” dating anyone. However, he was spotted with Harlow again in early 2017 in London, and the two continued to raise eyebrows throughout that year.
The interesting thing about Hamilton and Harlow is that neither ever publicly commented on their relationship. It’s one of the more mysterious chapters in his dating history—were they together or weren’t they? The world may never know for sure.
Nicki Minaj: Friends or Dating?
Perhaps one of the most unexpected pairings in Hamilton’s dating history was his rumored romance with Nicki Minaj. The speculation started when they attended New York Fashion Week together in September 2018.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 10: Nicki Minaj and Lewis Hamilon attend the TommyXLewis Launch Party at Public Arts on September 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger)
Things really heated up the following month when the duo was spotted riding ATVs together in Dubai, both sporting matching red helmets. Nicki even posted about it on social media with the caption: “Caribbean tingz what I on. Me & Lewis gettin paper what ink dry on. #Versace,” per People.
That caption alone had fans convinced something was definitely going on between the rapper and the racer. The combination of Fashion Week appearances and adventurous Dubai dates painted a picture of two celebrities having a really good time together.
Shakira: The Most Recent Pre-Kim Speculation
Before the Kim Kardashian news broke, the last major woman linked to Hamilton was global superstar Shakira. The Colombian singer was spotted hanging out with Hamilton in May 2023 after watching the F1 Grand Prix.
Shakira was then photographed with Hamilton and friends—including Tom Cruise, no less—during a boat day in Miami. The following month, Shakira added serious fuel to the romance speculation when she traveled to Barcelona specifically to watch Hamilton at the Spanish Grand Prix. The two reportedly went to dinner together after the race.
However, Shakira put the rumors to rest in June 2024 during an interview with Rolling Stone. “I’m not thinking about that. What space do I have for a man right now?” she said, making it clear that romance wasn’t on her radar.
His Early Relationships: Before the Fame
Before Hamilton became one of the most famous athletes in the world, he had relationships like anyone else. When he was a teenager, he dated television personality Danielle Lloyd for about six months.
“We were both out with friends, but there was a bit of a spark and we swapped numbers. After that I went back to Liverpool and he lived in London but we stayed in touch,” Lloyd told the Daily Mail in July 2007.
He also had a four-year relationship with Jodia Ma, whom he met through a mutual friend in London while they were both students at Cambridge Arts and Sciences College. The couple attended events together, including the 2006 AutoSport Magazine Awards, before news broke in 2007 that they had parted ways.
