'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In the world of Formula 1, speed and glamour often intermingle. F1's milieu is by default blingy, attracting the fast and the fabulous, the bold and the beautiful, the rebellious and the rich. The drivers are more often than not in the orbit of beautiful women from the media, modeling, and movies. It's a heady cocktail and sparks often fly, resulting in brief romances as well as long, meaningful courtships.
Here's list of 5 women who have dated McLaren drivers and were by their side through thick and thin. These women have graced the paddock in Formula 1 as they attended the races to be with their beaus and be an active source of support and encouragement. Their presence has only made the sport more attractive to follow.
All of the featured drivers are world champions. As of now, Lewis Hamilton leads with 4 titles, his first with McLaren-Mercedes in 2008, Ayrton Senna won all his three with McLaren-Honda, Mika Hakkinen won his double with McLaren-Mercedes in 1998-99. Current McLaren star-driver Fernando Alonso won his back-to-back titles with Renault and Jenson Button had his breakthrough title with Brawn in 2009.
#5 Jenson Button and Jessica Michibata
Jenson Button and Jessica Michibata - a Japanese-Argentine supermodel started seeing each other in the January 2009. Jessica was seen to be extremely supportive of Jenson even before he became a world champ with Brawn and then signed up for McLaren in 2010.
She was a regular and radiant feature in the McLaren garage during racing weekends and an 'it' couple with Jenson in Formula 1 circles for years. She's also been the face of Evian, UNIQLO, L'Oréal and Tag Heuer commercials. The pair got married in 2015, only to separate within a year. Their diverging personal careers and increasing time apart led to the split.
#4 Ayrton Senna and Xuxa
Xuxa Meneghel was a celebrity for some while before Ayrton Senna rose to prominence. She was well established in her television career in the 80s in Brazil. She was considered a national beauty in Brazil and represented a lot of brands.
Senna and Xuxa met in 1987 and began dating each other forming a power couple who were much beloved in their country. They broke up owing to their busy schedules but they strongly felt that once Senna had retired, they would find more time to be together. Unfortunately, Senna passed away before his time.
#3 Fernando Alonso and Lara Álvarez
Lara Álvarez has a broad and winsome smile to go with her friendly personality. The Asturian is a journalist and a television presenter with Marca TV and Telecinco and is immensely popular for her sports-based shows in Spain. Fernando Alonso began new things at McLaren-Honda in 2015, just after he began seeing Ms. Álvarez in late 2014.
They called off their 16-month relationship amicably, (half of the duration of which they were engaged) owing to scheduling conflicts of their careers. Lara incidentally has dated Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos before Alonso, who is a known Madridista.
#2 Mika Häkkinen and Erja Honkanen
The Flying Finn Mika Häkkinen drove for McLaren when they last won the constructor's championship in 1998. It was the year he became world champion and married fellow Finn and Monaco resident and TV journalist Erja Honkanen.
She had a steady presence in the F1 paddock and McLaren garage as Mika promptly defended his title to be a 2-time world champion from the McLaren stable. Here's an interview of hers at the 1999 Monaco Grand Prix, speaking about life and Mika.
#1 Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger
The Pussycat Dolls' lead singer is widely rated by fashion magazines as one of the most high profile performers in the world. She has backed this up with her talent and has a very successful career in music, television, and theatre.
Nicole, often called 'Hawaiian Pop Goddess' gets along famously with Lewis Hamilton's family and he credits her for being his source of inspiration. The couple was lapped up by the British media and they were a consistent feature of tabloids - as a world champion and an internationally popular pop-star duo ought to be.
The couple dated on and off from 2008-15 after meeting at the 2007 MTV Europe Music awards. They went their own way after Hamilton won his second title.
