Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jun 9

Kim Kardashian Draws F1 Backlash After Taking Winner Kimi Antonelli's Monaco GP Towel

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jun 9

Kim Kardashian Draws F1 Backlash After Taking Winner Kimi Antonelli's Monaco GP Towel

Q: How did Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari handle the fan backlash against Kim Kardashian's actions at the Grand Prix?

Lewis Hamilton largely defused the backlash by standing by Kim Kardashian and emphasizing her support, while Ferrari did not publicly intervene. After the Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked about Kardashian’s presence and responded positively rather than addressing the criticism over the Martin Brundle grid incident or the alleged towel mix-up. He said it was “amazing” to have her there and praised having “good people” around him, adding that she supports him every day. He also made his support visible during the weekend, including sharing a post with her and blowing a kiss in her direction after taking second place. There is no indication from the available reporting that Ferrari issued a statement, defended Kardashian publicly, or took any formal action in response to the fan reaction. The team’s role appeared limited to hosting Hamilton’s guest in its paddock and garage environment. So, in practical terms, Hamilton handled the situation by backing Kardashian personally and keeping the focus on her support for him, while Ferrari stayed silent and did not publicly engage with the controversy.

Q: Did the drama surrounding Kim Kardashian overshadow Kimi Antonelli's historic achievement as Monaco's youngest winner?

No. The available reporting suggests Kim Kardashian’s Monaco controversy created a parallel celebrity storyline, but it did not eclipse Kimi Antonelli’s sporting achievement. Antonelli’s win remained the central racing story. Multiple accounts emphasized that the 19-year-old Mercedes driver became the youngest winner in Monaco Grand Prix history, secured his fifth straight victory, and extended his championship lead. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described his drive as “clockwork,” and race coverage focused on the scale of Antonelli’s form and the significance of winning at Monaco, one of Formula One’s most prestigious events. Kardashian did draw heavy attention for two incidents: her security team blocking Martin Brundle’s grid-walk approach and the accusation that she took Antonelli’s labeled post-race towel. Those moments generated strong fan backlash online and added tabloid-style noise around the weekend, especially because Monaco is already a celebrity-heavy event. But the evidence provided does not show that her presence displaced Antonelli from the main narrative of the race. Even reports that mentioned the Kardashian controversy still framed Antonelli’s victory, winning streak, and title momentum as the defining Formula One story. In other words, the drama was highly visible on social media and in celebrity coverage, while Antonelli’s historic win remained the dominant sporting headline.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 9

F1 fans erupted after Kim Kardashian was seen taking Kimi Antonelli's towel during the Monaco Grand Prix podium celebration, shortly after the Mercedes rookie won the race.
The backlash built on earlier irritation from the Monaco grid, where Kardashian appeared to brush off broadcaster Martin Brundle while attending to support Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton finished second behind Antonelli, putting Kardashian in the center of the post-race ceremony and amplifying online criticism over the towel incident.
The report suggests the moment may have been a misunderstanding over the name "Kimi," but fan reaction framed it as another example of celebrity behavior overshadowing the race.