Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams: Friends or Dating?

Last updated: October 10, 2026

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Are Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams dating? The Formula 1 champion and the tennis legend have been linked by rumor for years — but the truth is much simpler, and honestly more interesting. They are not a couple. They are something rarer in the world of elite sports: two of the greatest athletes of all time who became genuine, decade-long friends.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

No, Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams have never dated. They are close friends whose relationship has always been platonic. Hamilton’s representative publicly confirmed they are “good friends and in no way romantically involved” after tabloids ran with the dating rumors, and Williams herself regularly refers to Hamilton as her brother. She has been married to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian since 2017, with whom she shares two daughters.

Illustration for Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams

Who Are Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams?

Serena Williams is one of the most decorated tennis players in history, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name — the most of any player in the Open Era. She held the world No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks, turned professional in 1995, and stepped away from the sport after the 2022 US Open. Beyond tennis, she is a businesswoman, investor, and cultural icon whose influence stretches far past the court.

Lewis Hamilton is the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion from Stevenage, England, whose record-breaking career has made him one of the most famous racing drivers of all time. The first Black driver to compete — and win — in Formula 1, he has been a driving force for diversity in motorsport, and in 2025 he began a headline-making new chapter by joining Ferrari. For more explainers on sports and celebrity stories, visit more explainers at AllAboutFacts.

Relationship Timeline

  • The admiration from afar: Long before they ever met, Hamilton watched Venus and Serena Williams dominate tennis and saw a reflection of his own journey. In a 2022 interview, he explained that seeing two Black women thrive at the top of a historically exclusive sport gave him the confidence to believe he could do the same in Formula 1. They were, he said, the two most inspiring sports figures of his youth.
  • The first meeting: Serena has said she felt they simply had to meet — a young Black driver winning in England at the same time she and Venus were winning Wimbledon. When they finally crossed paths, the admiration became a friendship. From that point on, whenever both of them won — which, as Serena joked, was a lot — they celebrated together.
  • 2016: The dating rumors ignite: After winning the Mexican Grand Prix, Hamilton was photographed walking hand in hand with Serena through the crowds toward the podium. Tabloids pounced, suggesting romance. The claim had no truth to it: Hamilton’s representative confirmed to the press that the two are simply good friends and not romantically involved in any way.
  • 2016–2022: Mutual respect on the record: Over the years, both athletes spoke about each other in the warmest terms. Hamilton called Serena the greatest athlete of their generation and said he tried to learn from her drive and mindset. Serena, for her part, called Hamilton a champion and a dear friend, praising the physical and mental dedication his sport demands.
  • April 2022: The Chelsea bid: Their friendship took a business turn when both Hamilton and Williams joined Sir Martin Broughton’s consortium bidding to buy Chelsea Football Club, each reportedly investing £10 million. The bid ultimately did not succeed, but it showed how deep their partnership had grown.
  • September 2022: The tribute: When Serena announced her “evolution” away from tennis, Hamilton posted a heartfelt tribute calling her the greatest of all time, writing that there will never be another Serena. It was a public show of respect between two icons at the summit of their respective sports.
  • December 2025: The comeback rumors: After Serena briefly re-entered tennis’s anti-doping testing pool, speculation about a return swirled. Hamilton, asked about it, said he would love to see her come back and admitted he kept telling her to do it. Serena shut the rumors down on social media, joking that the speculation was “wildfire.”
  • May 2026: Miami Grand Prix reunion: Serena attended the Miami Grand Prix and shared photos hugging Hamilton in the Ferrari paddock. In her caption, she looked back on their first meeting, writing that over a decade later they were still very close — and called him her brother.
  • June 2026: Celebrating his Ferrari breakthrough: When Hamilton claimed his first Grand Prix victory with Ferrari at Barcelona — the 106th win of his career — Serena was among the first to congratulate him, posting an emotional message on her Instagram story calling him “bro” and echoing his own rallying phrase, “remember who you are.”

Latest Updates

The most recent chapter of their friendship played out in the 2026 Formula 1 season, Hamilton’s second year with Ferrari. After a difficult debut season with the Italian team in 2025, Hamilton found form in 2026 — podiums in China, Canada, and Monaco led to his breakthrough first win for Ferrari at the Barcelona Grand Prix in June. Serena’s instant, affectionate public reaction underlined how closely she still follows his career. In interviews during the year, Hamilton has continued to speak of her as a dear friend and an inspiration, and she remains married to Alexis Ohanian, with whom she has been building her post-tennis business empire, including her investment firm Serena Ventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams dating?
No. They have never been in a romantic relationship. Both have described their bond as a close, brotherly friendship that has lasted well over a decade.

Is Serena Williams married?
Yes. Serena married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in November 2017. The couple have two daughters, Olympia (born 2017) and Adira (born 2023).

Did Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams break up?
There was never a relationship to break up. The rumors of romance were just that — rumors, which Hamilton’s representative publicly denied.

How did Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams meet?
Serena says she wanted to meet Hamilton because he was a Black driver winning in England at the same time she and Venus were winning at Wimbledon. They finally met, discovered their shared admiration, and have been close friends ever since.

Faizi is a content writer at AllAboutFacts (hotteamnames.com), covering vocabulary, language tips, and everyday explainers.

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