THREE'S A CROWD
Lewis Hamilton and Shakira’s ‘love triangle’ matchmaker ‘revealed’ as F1 ace’s track rival who is close pals with singer
LEWIS Hamilton and Shakira's growing friendship came after his F1 rival played cupid, insiders claim.
The pair have been spotted getting cosy after races in Spain and the US, sparking rumours of a "love triangle" involving Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
5
5
5
Now it has been claimed they were introduced by Ferrari track ace Carlos Sainz, who is friends with them both.
Despite being Lewis' racing rival, Sainz put his competitiveness aside to talk up the Mercedes driver to his pop star pal Shakira.
The superstars are said to be keeping things "fun and flirty" for now as they navigate their rumoured new relationship.
Sources have insisted they are just friends, but that has not stopped swirling speculation.
Read More on F1
Fans of the duo have been desperate to find out how they crossed paths after they were spotted together several times in recent weeks.
Now Spanish sports journalist Pipi Estrada has claimed she has the inside scoop on how the Colombian songstress became embroiled with Lewis.
She told Spanish talk show Fiesta: "It is because of friends in common.
"She knows that Hamilton likes her music and, all of a sudden, she gets the bug to know about Formula One and that's how they got together.
Most read in Motorsport
"There is a key thing in this relationship. Carlos Sainz knows Shakira and Carlos Sainz has a very good relationship with Hamilton.
"That's where they've come together. That's where this relationship is born, with Carlos Sainz."
Speculation surrounding Shakira's romance with Lewis has hotted up after a snap of them enjoying dinner with pals in Barcelona emerged.
He slinked his arm around the singer as they sipped on cocktails at a sushi restaurant earlier this month following his performance at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Shakira made no secret of her presence on the sidelines and was pictured beaming as she cheered on her rumoured beau as he roared around the track.
She proudly watched him scoop second place after Max Verstappen triumphed at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The She Wolf singer has been taking solace in the company of Lewis in wake of her messy split from former footballer Gerard Pique.
Lewis legend showed off his chivalry when he whisked her off for a boat day with pals in Miami - by picking her up from the back of her £12million beach mansion late last month.
He made sure Shakira didn't have too far to walk as she trotted down her private dock for the day out on the open-top cruiser.
The Mercedes driver, 38, quickly climbed out of the boat to lend the newly single mum a hand as she joined the group onboard.
Lewis later ensured she made it home safe as he dropped her back off at her plush new pad, where she counts the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Matt Damon as her neighbours.
Shakira's repeated rendezvous with Lewis have caused a stir since they enjoyed a dinner together at the lavish Miami restaurant Cipriani.
Smiling at each other, Shakira appeared to join 92-time race winner Lewis and pals at his table in a short video snapped by a fan.
It comes after more speculation claiming Hamilton and Shakira are in a "love triangle", which includes Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise.
That could potentially put Sir Lewis and Cruise's 10-year bromance in jeopardy.
Shakira appeared in high spirits when she was seen mingling with the Mission Impossible star, 60, at the Miami Grand Prix in May.
Spanish media reported he was "absolutely mesmerised" by the mum-of-two and had even told a close circle of friends that he felt a connection with her.
Sources claimed that Tom was "giddy" after the chat while adding that the interactions were similar to "how he acted" when he first got with his ex-wife Katie Holmes.
An insider told Page Six that there was "chemistry" between the pair - with Tom sending her flowers after the meeting.
But Shakira reportedly shot down his advances and instead begged the actor to leave her alone and stop flirting with her.
She has been pictured with both men recently after splitting with Barcelona legend Pique last year.
But Shakira is believed to be taking her time before seriously committing to another relationship.
The popstar was seen jetting off from Barcelona airport alone after dropping her sons Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, off with their father.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
She then headed to her home country of Colombia to visit her elderly father before he underwent an operation.
The custody agreement between Shakira and Pique allows the ex-footballer to see his sons whenever he wants, but the children remain with their mother full-time.
5
5
Topics