Before the Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was seen leaving a restaurant in Monaco accompanied by Instagram model Darja Sobakinskaja, sparking interest among Formula 1 fans. Following the sightings online, Sobakinskaja faced harsh criticism from some fans, prompting her to announce a temporary break from Instagram to escape the negative messages.
Unlike many other drivers, Hamilton’s dating life is usually private, especially during race weekends. Yet, the Monaco GP weekend became a hotspot for rumors after the two were spotted together, raising questions about their relationship status. Though nothing official has been confirmed, the intense speculation led to targeted harassment toward Sobakinskaja on social media.
In response to the backlash, Sobakinskaja took to Instagram to share her decision to step back, posting in a now-deleted story,
“More than 100 messages I received today for nothing, sorry but I’m done with Instagram for [the] next few days.”
Meanwhile, on the track, Lewis Hamilton finished the Monaco Grand Prix in fifth place.
Challenges faced by Lewis Hamilton during the Monaco Grand Prix
Hamilton admitted that luck was not on his side during the Monaco race, as he continues to find his footing with the Ferrari SF-25 after eight race weekends. He began the race from seventh position due to a three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen in qualifying.
Despite the setback, Hamilton managed to overtake Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso during pit stops. However, the narrow streets of Monaco and a significant lead held by the front runners limited opportunities for further gains. Hamilton noted that race dynamics could only have changed with the intervention of Safety Cars, which did not occur.
The seven-time world champion reflected on his race, saying,
“Obviously I started with the penalty I had down in seventh, was obviously behind two cars for some time and then managed to clear them and then I was kind of just in no man’s land after that. I think the gap was relatively big and I wasn’t racing anyone. I needed the Safety Car or something to come into play but it didn’t happen so it was just pretty straightforward from there.
“I didn’t know what I was fighting for… but in actual fact when I look at the data, I wasn’t anywhere near the other guys up front so I used my tyres a lot in that moment but I was so far away from them.”
Hamilton has accumulated 63 points so far this season over eight race weekends, which marks an improvement of 21 points compared to the same period last year.
Implications and next steps for Lewis Hamilton and his season
Lewis Hamilton’s continued adjustment to the Ferrari car highlights the ongoing challenges he faces in the current Formula 1 season. The lack of race incidents like Safety Cars at Monaco limited his ability to gain positions, emphasizing how race circumstances can greatly impact results. As he works on maximizing his performance, each Grand Prix remains critical to maintaining and improving his championship standing.
Off the track, the situation involving Darja Sobakinskaja sheds light on the pressures faced by public figures and those connected to them, particularly in high-profile settings like Monaco. Her decision to pause her Instagram account underscores the negative impact that online harassment can have, signaling that this issue may continue to affect figures within the F1 community.
