Kim Kardashian was noticeably absent from the Formula 1 paddock during the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, despite having spent the week in Tokyo with Lewis Hamilton.

Speculation has been swirling for months about a possible romance between Kardashian and Hamilton, yet she has yet to make a public appearance in support of him at a Formula 1 event. Many fans anticipated that Suzuka would mark a change in this trend.

Throughout the past week, Kardashian immersed herself in Tokyo’s vibrant culture and was seen enjoying time with Hamilton, as their relationship appears to flourish.

However, on the day of the race, Hamilton was seen with a different set of celebrities in the F1 paddock, notably walking through the VIP section alongside actress Anya Taylor-Joy.

The Queen’s Gambit star is a familiar face at global racing events and shares a close friendship with Hamilton. Nonetheless, she was not the celebrity many had expected to accompany the Ferrari driver this weekend.

In the Ferrari garage, Hamilton shared a warm embrace with the British actress before mingling with other high-profile guests who had traveled to Japan for the event.

Lewis Hamilton was spotted not with Kim Kardashian but Anya Taylor-Joy in the F1 paddock

The Ferrari driver shared a tender embrace with the British actress ahead of the big race

Kardashian was spotted enjoying a romantic date with the Formula 1 star in Tokyo this week 

Such is the growing popularity of the sport, Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Keegan Michael Key and Charlie Day were all guests of Ferrari in the paddock for the big 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 Kardashian and the pair’s blooming relationship. 

This week, Kardashian brought three of her kids – Saint, 10, Chicago, eight, and Psalm, six – along with her to Tokyo – 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 Hamilton has worn while taking part in races across the globe.

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

Hamilton and Kardashian (pictured in 2021) are believed to be in a blossoming romance 

Hamilton and Kardashian were also spotted watching this year’s Super Bowl together

The reality star and professional F1 racer have known each other for many years – but first sparked romance speculation earlier this year. 

Back in late January, the stars were seen checking into an upscale hotel in the Cotswolds.

Shortly after, the pair 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.’

In February, Kardashian and Hamilton sat next to each other while attending Super Bowl LX.      

The SKIMS founder jumped to her main Instagram page on Friday to give fans a glimpse into her getaway to Japan, showing off a helmet similar to Hamilton’s

While exploring the city of Tokyo, Kardashian also turned heads in a figure-hugging white ensemble with her children and sister Khloe

News of the romance is continuing to spread around the paddock, with other drivers even hinting at a rejuvenated Hamilton.

‘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.

Hamilton, meanwhile, said of his relative improvement in form: ‘I don’t find it a relief. It is just a change of attitude and not letting all the “BS” that comes out of people’s mouths get in the way of knowing who I am and what I am able to do.

‘Hopefully you saw that in the last two races, and particularly the last one (where he raced wheel-to-wheel with Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc).

The seven-time world champion spent time chatting to actor Chris Pratt in the Ferrari garage

Legendary actor Jack Black was another of the VIP guests with Ferrari for the Grand Prix

Hamilton, pictured with pole sitter Kimi Antonelli, arrived in the paddock wearing bright yellow

‘I will continue to try to show this through the year.

‘I have not lost what I have had regardless of what people write. I will continue to train harder than ever.

‘I ran 100km in Tokyo between races, and I know none of the drivers I am racing against have trained as hard as I am and giving it what I am – especially at my age, too.

‘I love that I still have the drive to push myself. I was at the hotel and several drivers walked in and I had finished my run. I knew they were just getting up. The commitment is there more than ever. I will dedicate absolutely everything I have to this challenge and these cars.’