Lewis Hamilton’s dating history has captured public interest, with the Formula 1 star linked to several notable figures over the years. Known for maintaining privacy, Hamilton’s romantic connections have included a long-term relationship with Nicole Scherzinger and recent reports of a romantic encounter with Kim Kardashian in early 2026. This overview retraces the key relationships in his life, highlighting his focus on racing alongside his complex personal life.
Early Connections and Teenage Romance
Before fame, Lewis Hamilton met television personality Danielle Lloyd as a teenager at a nightclub in London. After exchanging numbers, they maintained contact despite living in different cities and dated for about six months. Lloyd recalled their initial connection and noted that their young age and distance contributed to the relationship’s end, although they stayed on friendly terms. Hamilton even attended Lloyd’s crowning as Miss England in 2004.
“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 stated to the Daily Mail in 2007.
A College Friendship Blossoms into Romance
Following his relationship with Lloyd, Hamilton met Jodia Ma through a mutual acquaintance at a London party. Both former students at Cambridge Arts and Sciences College, the pair became close friends before dating for roughly four years. They appeared together at multiple events, such as the AutoSport Magazine awards in December 2006, cementing their status as a couple within social circles.
Longstanding Partnership with Nicole Scherzinger
In late 2007, Hamilton and singer Nicole Scherzinger’s paths crossed at an MTV awards event, soon beginning a relationship that lasted intermittently over seven years. Scherzinger described their connection as deeply supportive and spiritually aligned, sharing a strong sense of humor and mutual dedication to their careers despite the challenges of finding time together.
“We are very similar and can relate to one another a lot. We are both driven people who are serious about our work, so we are very supportive of the time we do have together. Finding time for each other can get complicated, but we find a way to work it out. And it just makes things more interesting when we do get together,”
Scherzinger told the Daily Mail in 2009.
Throughout their time together, Scherzinger would regularly attend races, and the couple kept their relationship mostly private. Though Hamilton felt family pressure to formalize their bond, they ended their relationship in 2015. Scherzinger expressed deep sadness over the split but wished Hamilton well, highlighting their mutual respect.
“I’m devastated that it didn’t work out. It was the hardest decision we had to make, but we made it together,”
she said.
“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.”
Post-Scherzinger Era: Growing Celebrity Links
After parting with Scherzinger, Hamilton’s name surfaced alongside several other celebrities, including supermodels and singers. In May 2015, he and Gigi Hadid were seen together at the amfAR gala and later at the Formula 1 World Championship in France. The two, along with friends like Kendall Jenner, even spent time on a yacht. Years later, they reunited professionally when Hamilton became Tommy Hilfiger’s global ambassador, and the pair appeared in campaigns, with Hamilton giving Hadid driving lessons.
Collaboration and Rumors with Rita Ora
Hamilton and singer Rita Ora were first photographed together at the 2015 amfAR gala and made joint appearances on The Graham Norton Show that year. Their friendship fueled dating rumors as they shared several dinner dates in 2016. Ora supported Hamilton at events such as the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, and though she remained quiet on speculation, a now-deleted Instagram video of their musical duet deepened rumors of a romance.
On-Screen and Social Appearances with Barbara Palvin
In 2016, model Barbara Palvin was linked to Hamilton after they were seen together at a L’Oréal party during Paris Fashion Week and later at the Cannes Film Festival. They continued attending high-profile events, from the F1 Grand Prix in Hungary to Venice Film Festival and London Fashion Week, further reinforcing their connection.
Whispers about Winnie Harlow
Hamilton was similarly rumored to be dating model Winnie Harlow in 2016. She attended his Grand Prix victory party in London alongside Rita Ora, and the two were seen together at the GQ Men of the Year Awards. Despite Hamilton’s public statement on Ellen DeGeneres’ show denying he was seeing anyone and explaining his focus on racing, Hamilton and Harlow’s social outings persisted. They were spotted together at Cannes, Monaco Grand Prix, on a yacht in Monte Carlo, and enjoying time in Greece and at a race victory celebration, maintaining a close friendship over the years.
“No I’m not. I was in a long-term eight-year relationship, so I’m focused on my racing and trying to win the championship this year,”
Hamilton said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
“I don’t have any plans [for romance].”
“CONGRATULATIONS #44 So blessed to be able to cheer on my good friend @lewishamilton at #Monaco50 @f1 #DontCrackUnderPressure,”
Harlow posted on Instagram.
Relationship Speculation with Sofia Richie Grainge
In early 2017, Hamilton and Sofia Richie were seen together at a Balmain fashion show during Paris Fashion Week and later dining in Beverly Hills. Despite their 14-year age difference, they were frequently spotted around Los Angeles in mid-2017. However, neither confirmed a relationship publicly, and Richie soon began dating Scott Disick.
Brief Connection with Nicki Minaj
Hamilton’s rumored relationship with Nicki Minaj arose after they appeared at an Alexander Wang fashion show side-by-side in 2016 and later at the TommyXLewis Launch Party in New York City in 2018. Minaj was coy about her romantic life during a talk on The Ellen DeGeneres Show but hinted at a “new boy” in her life before clarifying she didn’t have a boyfriend. Shortly after their red carpet appearance, the pair shared photos together in Dubai, fueling dating speculation.
“Well, there was a new boy but he and I kind of fell back a little bit. And then ….”
Minaj said.
“And then there’s a newer … yeah, fairly new. He’s been around for a couple wigs. But I don’t have a boy.”
“Caribbean tingz what I on. Me & Lewis gettin paper what ink dry on. #Versace,”
Minaj captioned a photo of them riding an ATV.
Recent Moments with Shakira
In May 2023, Hamilton was seen spending time with singer Shakira after she attended the F1 Grand Prix. The pair reportedly connected at Cipriani restaurant and were later photographed enjoying a boat outing in Miami along with mutual friends. Shakira cheered Hamilton during the F1 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, and both socialized at dinner with attendees including Daniel Caesar, Fai Khadra, and Mustafa. Sources described their interactions as “fun and flirty” as they got to know each other.
“They’re spending time together and in the ‘getting to know you’ stage,”
a source noted. “It’s fun and flirty.”
Despite the closeness, Shakira told Rolling Stone later that month that she and Hamilton remained friends, adding,
“What space do I have for a man right now?”
Hamilton’s Approach to Love Amid Career Demands
In July 2025, Hamilton admitted he had not entered a long-term relationship in nearly ten years, attributing this to the demands and priorities of his racing career. Reflecting on his romantic life compared to other Formula 1 drivers who balanced family and relationships, he expressed a desire to focus fully on his profession before turning to personal pursuits after retirement.
“I look at the other drivers, and I wonder how they’re doing it. Some are having kids, some married, most of them have girlfriends. I really focused in these last … particularly these last 10 years, get everything I can out of my performance. Then, when I retire, I can do whatever I want,”
Hamilton told RTBF.
Recent reports in early 2026 indicated that Hamilton shared a romantic moment with Kim Kardashian in Europe, with the pair captured exiting the same SUV upon arriving at a hotel in Paris. This sparked renewed attention on his elusive dating history as fans and media continue to watch for developments.
Enduring Public Fascination with Hamilton’s Personal Life
Lewis Hamilton’s dating history intersects with numerous celebrities and models, reflecting both the demands of a high-profile career and the complexities of maintaining relationships in the spotlight. From youthful romances to long-term partnerships and publicized encounters with entertainers like Nicole Scherzinger, Shakira, and Kim Kardashian, Hamilton’s personal narrative remains intensely followed. As he approaches the latter stages of his racing career, the balance between his professional ambitions and private life continues to captivate his global audience.
