Anya Taylor-Joy and Lewis Hamilton Enjoy Exclusive Japan Grand Prix Experience

Kim Kardashian was noticeably absent at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, leaving Lewis Hamilton to find support from Hollywood star Anya Taylor-Joy instead. Rumors have linked the reality TV mogul with the celebrated racing driver, but it was Taylor-Joy who joined him at the event.

Hamilton, at 41, extended an invitation to the 29-year-old actress, along with her fellow Super Mario cast members, for an exclusive tour of the F1 paddock in Tokyo. The Queen’s Gambit star turned heads on the track, flaunting her figure in a vibrant corset-inspired top, featuring daring cutouts along the sides.

Taylor-Joy completed her striking ensemble with a pair of black leather flares, red stilettos, and chic orange-tinted glasses. Her husband, musician Malcolm McRae, accompanied her, exuding style in high-waisted pinstripe trousers paired with a cream shirt, casually unbuttoned at the collar.

The Queen’s Gambit star went hell for leather in a coordinating pair of black flares, completing her look with red stilettos and orange tinted glasses.

She was joined by her musician husband Malcolm McRae, who looked dashing in high-waisted pinstripe trousers and an open-collared cream shirt.

Anya has frequently shown her love of Formula 1 over the years after growing up watching the races with her parents.

There was no sign of Kim Kardashian at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, as rumoured boyfriend Lewis Hamilton was instead supported by Hollywood pal Anya Taylor-Joy

The racing driver, 41, invited the actress, 29, and her Super Mario co-stars to join him for a VIP tour through the F1 paddock in Tokyo (Jack Black, Charlie Day, Anya, Lewis, Benny Safdie, Chris Pratt, Brie Larson and Keegan-Michael Kay)

Anya ensured all eyes were on her on the track as she showed off her svelte frame in a colourful corset-inspired top with racy cutouts at the sides

And she is good pals with Lewis, previously attending the Monaco Grand Prix in 2024 as his guest, where she gushed over the racing icon, telling Sky Sports: ‘I’m here to support a wonderful friend and an absolute legend.’

The two friends shared a warm hug as the British racer greeted his A-list guests, which included Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Keegan Michael Key, Charlie Day, Brie Larson and Benny Safdie.

The Hollywood group are currently on the promo trail for their animated sequel film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is set to be released on April 1.

And they looked delighted to be on a real-life racing track, snapping a number of selfies together as Lewis showed them around the Ferrari garage ahead of the big race.

However, missing from the paddock was Lewis’ girlfriend Kim, 45, who many thought would be by his side at Suzuka this weekend to support him in the race.

The reality star has spent much of the past week enjoying the sights and sounds of Tokyo alongside Lewis, as the pair’s romance continues to go from strength to strength.

She brought along three of her kids – Saint, 10, Chicago, eight, and Psalm, six – to the city and the group had a blast go-kart racing together. 

The TV personality snapped a selfie of herself wearing a black helmet as well as a red racing outfit, similar to a look that Lewis has worn while taking part in races across the globe.

The Queen’s Gambit star went hell for leather in a coordinating pair of black flares, completing her look with red stilettos and orange tinted glasses

She was joined by her musician husband Malcolm McRae, who looked dashing in high-waisted pinstripe trousers and an open-collared cream shirt

Anya has frequently shown her love of Formula 1 over the years after growing up watching the races with her parents

And she is good pals with Lewis, previously attending the Monaco Grand Prix in 2024 as his guest

She gushed over the racing icon at the 2024, telling Sky Sports: ‘I’m here to support a wonderful friend and an absolute legend’

The two friends shared a warm hug as the British racer greeted his A-list guests, which included Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Keegan Michael Key, Charlie Day, Brie Larson and Benny Safdie

The Hollywood group are currently on the promo trail for their animated sequel film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is set to be released on April 1

And they looked delighted to be on a real-life racing track, snapping a number of selfies together as Lewis showed them around the Ferrari garage ahead of the big race

Anya voices the character of Princess Peach in the animated sequel while Jack is reprising his role as Bowser

Chris voices the titular Italian plumber, while Charlie plays his brother Luigi and Keegan stars as Toad

 Benny and Brie have joined the cast for the sequel as Bowser’s son Bowser Jr. and Princess Rosalina, respectively

While Kim is yet to publicly support him at a Formula 1 race, a source told The Sun that she would be cheering him on for the first time on Sunday.

‘She was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year but kept things quiet because their relationship was still in the early stages,’ the insider said.

‘Now they are a proper couple and she will be cheering him on with the kids. They’ve been hanging out together in Tokyo and have been having a great time.’ 

It is unclear whether Kim has jetted back to the US or elsewhere over the past 24 hours, but rumours on social media claimed she had left Japan on her private jet ahead of the race. 

The SKIMS founder and Lewis have known each other for many years – but first sparked romance speculation earlier this year. 

Back in late January, the couple were seen checking into an upscale hotel in the Cotswolds and shortly after were spotted at another hotel in the city of Paris – before they grabbed dinner together at Aqua Kyoto. 

An insider told Entertainment Tonight at the time: ‘Kim and Lewis are spending more time together and seeing where things are going.

‘They’ve been friends and known each other for years but are now exploring a romantic relationship.’

However, missing from the paddock was Lewis’ girlfriend Kim, 45, who many thought would be by his side at Suzuka this weekend to support him in the race (pictured in 2021)

While Kim is yet to publicly support him at a Formula 1 race, a source told The Sun that she would be cheering him on for the first time on Sunday

It is unclear whether Kim has jetted back to the US or elsewhere over the past 24 hours, but rumours on social media claimed she had left Japan on her private jet ahead of the race

It is unclear whether Kim has jetted back to the US or elsewhere over the past 24 hours, but rumours on social media claimed she had left Japan on her private jet ahead of the race

On the track, it has been an impressive start to the season for the seven-time world champion, with many joking that his upturn in form is in part due to the presence of Kim and their blooming relationship 

‘Lewis is clearly in a much happier place in life and that is probably because he is loved up,’ his former Mercedes teammate George Russell observed this week

In February, the pair sat next to each other while attending Super Bowl LX, and last month enjoyed a luxurious trip together in Utah.

Sources previously shared that Lewis ‘is head over heels and those closest to him believe he has finally met his match’ in Kim.

The Ferrari superstar has been ‘FaceTiming’ with the mother of four ‘regularly from the paddock,’ after the F1 season kicked off last week.

And though they can’t spend as much time together as they would like, Kim has been ‘incredibly supportive’ of Lewis’ busy schedule.

The two are reportedly both ‘very committed to making things work’ and those close to the pair believe ‘this could be endgame for them both’.

The source added: ‘Lewis is such a great guy and has really been courting her and treating her right. He’s been making all the plans and making sure she is taken care of.’

‘Everyone around her thinks it’s really sweet and what she deserves. Kim has had such a relaxed aura recently in all aspects of her life.’

On the track, it has been an impressive start to the season for the seven-time world champion, with many joking that his upturn in form is in part due to the presence of Kim and their blooming relationship. 

‘Lewis is clearly in a much happier place in life and that is probably because he is loved up,’ his former Mercedes teammate George Russell observed this week.

While the couple have yet to confirm the romance themselves, a source told People that Lewis is ‘just an easygoing guy with great energy. Her family likes him and Kim’s very into him.

‘They are both busy with their careers, but see each other as much as possible. It’s more than just a casual connection. It takes a lot to capture Kim’s interest and she’s definitely intrigued.’