Kim Kardashian faced widespread attention after attending the Monaco Formula 1 race last weekend to support her boyfriend, Lewis Hamilton, who finished second. The outing, meant to be a celebratory appearance, turned controversial when Kardashian was criticized online for reportedly brushing past a journalist after the race and, more notably, for taking a towel that was intended for race winner Kimi Antonelli.
According to the report, post-race protocol at Formula 1 events includes a clearly marked table for the top three drivers, where they can remove their helmets, wipe down, and prepare for media interviews. While heading to meet Hamilton, Kardashian allegedly passed Antonelli’s table, picked up his towel, used it to dab her forehead, and walked away with it. The moment quickly spread online, with fans mocking the incident and some also blaming Hamilton for not explaining the sport’s post-race customs more clearly.
The situation became even more talked about when Mercedes-AMG F1, Hamilton’s former team, appeared to joke about the incident on social media. In a playful video, Kimi Antonelli is seen asking if anyone has seen his towel, while George Russell responds that he has not. The clip continues with Antonelli repeating the question in a humorous, confused tone, turning the missing towel into a lighthearted running joke. Mercedes later posted another video in which Antonelli says he still does not know where the towel is and suggests they keep looking, while being handed several replacement towels that do not appear to be the one he wants.
The team’s posts added a humorous twist to what had already become a viral moment. Rather than escalating the controversy, Mercedes leaned into the joke, making the towel incident part of its online content and prompting more reactions from fans. The tone of the videos suggested the team was not taking the matter seriously and instead saw it as a chance to engage with the attention surrounding Antonelli and the Monaco race.
Meanwhile, the online reaction to Kardashian’s action remained mixed but heavily critical, with many users finding the moment awkward and embarrassing. The attention also highlighted the intense scrutiny that comes with celebrity appearances in Formula 1, especially when they intersect with the sport’s formal post-race routines and media obligations.
The viral clip and Mercedes’ response ensured that the towel incident remained a talking point after the Monaco Grand Prix. What began as a brief and awkward misunderstanding quickly turned into a widely shared social media moment, blending celebrity culture, sports etiquette, and fan-driven humor into one of the most discussed side stories from the race weekend.
