Lewis Hamilton BREAKS SILENCE on Kim Kardashian rumours!

Hamilton’s response and why it mattered

A question about Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian popped up straight away when the paddock opened in Bahrain. The exchange was brief but telling. When asked about the Super Bowl appearance, Hamilton replied simply:

“I don’t comment on those sorts of things. It’s private life.”

That answer shut down any follow-up. Two journalists who had considered pressing the point said they changed their minds after hearing the same line. The moment underlined a larger truth: in modern sport, off-track headlines can spread faster than practice laps, but drivers still guardedly protect certain parts of their lives.

First impressions from day one of testing

The opening day of pre-season testing had its share of headlines beyond the social rumours. Each team put one car on track; some split the day between two drivers, others left one driver behind the wheel all day. Lewis wasn’t thrilled with the handling. He described the car as slippery in some corners and even spun at turn one during his run.

Off-track, there are personnel changes for Lewis in 2026: a new manager has arrived, his previous contact moved to Cadillac, his press officer is out and a replacement has stepped in. Angela Cullen remains by his side as she has in prior seasons.

How different do the 2026 cars feel and sound?

The new cars look smaller at a glance, but after a few laps that impression fades. The most common reactions were about feel rather than size. Noise was a frequent question, so a quick field test was run: a handheld sound meter recorded decibel levels for cars passing the end of the pit straight.

Readings ranged from about 108.4 dB (Cadillac) up to 112.4 dB (Alpine). All measurements were taken roughly 7 to 10 meters away and the device printed the peak levels. That difference is roughly a 4% gap between the quietest and loudest measured cars. Whether that is perceptible to the human ear depends on distance and frequency content, but on-track it was certainly noticeable to some members of the paddock crew.

Cadillac’s reveal — aesthetics and small details

Seeing the Cadillac on the tarmac for the first time raised several conversation points. The car did not sport the white rims many expected based on early launch photos. Also, what looked like chrome in some images turned out to be plain white paint — with slightly different designs on the two sides of the car.

The FIA clarified the rule: livery cannot protrude beyond the bodywork and must be substantially similar on both sides. Slight asymmetry in color treatment or detail is permitted, so Cadillac’s design sits well within the regulations.

One functional innovation caught attention: lights integrated into the front of the side mirror pods. These were active on track and are designed as a visibility aid in poor conditions. If a car spins in heavy rain or fog, the extra lights make the stationary car more visible to oncoming drivers. Teams tested these during Barcelona running and used them again in Bahrain.

A lighter, human moment: the team principal’s surname pronunciation caused some playful confusion across the paddock. Name quirks aside, the car showed up with sponsor placements adapted for local rules, including an enlarged “best enjoyed responsibly” mark where alcohol branding could not be shown in Bahrain.

Pit lane innovations and visual theatre

Night-time pit activity revealed a neat piece of kit from Audi: an illuminated gantry above the pit box acting like a soft box. It made the cars and pit crews look spectacular under lights and could be a useful tool for product shoots or night sessions. Whether this will be used during day races remains to be seen, but it already improved the visual drama of evening work.

Williams brought a fun, compact display above the garage that lowers whenever the car is in the bay. When the driver is seated, it shields monitors and doubles as sponsor real estate. The effect was reminiscent of large-scale experiential art installations — a small bit of entertainment in the usually functional paddock.

Aero details to watch: Ferrari and front wing variations

Ferrari revealed an unusual jagged edge at the rear of their car, something not widely seen on other entries. Whether it is purely a styling quirk or a deliberate aerodynamic solution is unclear, but it stood out among the field.

Also notable: each team has a different fin or bijou element on the outside of the front wing. There is clearly no one-size-fits-all approach this year; aerodynamicists will be arguing over the merits of each setup as data accumulates. If you enjoy that sort of forensic detail, watch how these bits evolve over the remainder of testing.

Travel chaos, trainers and behind-the-scenes updates

Thick fog briefly shut Bahrain International Airport, causing delays and long layovers for some drivers. Nico Hulkenberg and Liam Lawson spent hours delayed in Doha; a few fortunate people arrived on private jets just before the closure. Flights were halted earlier than usual that night, which added a logistical sting to arrival schedules.

There were also staff changes: one driver has shifted to a new trainer after a couple of seasons with two previous coaches. Small personnel moves like this can have outsized effects over a season as routines and fitness regimes change.

Numbers, photoshoots and the talking points for the week ahead

The drivers’ group shot this year was held in the F2 garages rather than the big dome, and media access was limited to an outside view for a short window. Max has a new number three emblazoned on his kit, and a few teams chose more prominent number plaques on their cars for driver swaps during the day.

Not every aesthetic choice was universally loved. Some team members were openly critical of how certain numbers sit against their liveries. Visual balance matters in this sport just as much as aero curves — an awkward placement can become an ongoing gripe.

One driver who looked pleased to be back in the paddock was an Australian reserve who started last season in a race seat before transitioning to a reserve role. He’s on duty for the early days of testing and adds to the conversation about potential mid-season driver shuffles if performance concerns appear.

What to expect next

Five more days of official running remain. The paddock atmosphere was calm and focused today, partly because there were no fans on site. That will change on selected days later this week when spectators will be allowed in and some may make their way into the paddock. Expect timesheets to shuffle dramatically as teams test new aero packages and setup permutations aimed at maximizing performance for the opening rounds.

FAQ

Is Lewis Hamilton dating Kim Kardashian?

Hamilton declined to comment, calling it private. His short reply put an end to further questioning on the topic during that session.

Were the 2026 cars noticeably louder?

A quick sound-meter check showed peaks between about 108.4 dB and 112.4 dB at 7 to 10 meters from the track. That represents roughly a 4% difference between the quietest and loudest readings. Whether that difference is easily perceptible depends on distance and frequency, but teams and crew did notice a difference.

Why do some cars have lights on the mirror pods?

The lights improve visibility when a car is stationary in poor weather conditions. They were tested previously in Barcelona and were active during Bahrain running to help oncoming drivers spot spun or stopped cars.

Will fans be allowed into the paddock?

Fans were not present on the first day, making for a quieter paddock. Selected testing days later in the week will allow spectators, and some may access the paddock depending on ticket arrangements and team policies.

Any driver lineup surprises to watch?

Reserve drivers are in place and ready to step up if needed. Media comments suggested a couple of first-season drivers are under extra scrutiny, so a performance dip could open the door for reserves to make a case.