SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM MEETS GABBY THOMAS AT US GRAND PRIX

Sophie Cunningham met Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas at the 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. A photograph shared on X by Luna Williams showed the pair posing together at the Circuit of the Americas. A short video showed Cunningham spotting Thomas and walking over before they stopped for the photograph. Joe Rogan and Gordon Ramsay were also among the guests at the Grand Prix. Formula 1 selected Cunningham to wave the chequered flag at the end of the race.

Cunningham plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, whose 2026 season had recently ended. Thomas won three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in the 200 metres and the 4×100 metres and 4×400 metres relays. She has trained in the Austin area and pursued a master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Cunningham had also appeared at NASCAR events earlier in the year, including during the WNBA’s month-long break. During those appearances, she worked as a guest pit road reporter for USA Network and interviewed drivers and team owner Michael Jordan.

Cunningham’s Grand Prix appearance followed visits to other sporting events during the WNBA season. At NASCAR events, she spent time in garages and kicked footballs into the stands. She also attended UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on 11 July. Cunningham went to the event as a spectator and made a spontaneous appearance as an Octagon Girl after meeting UFC chief executive Dana White backstage. Conor McGregor and Max Holloway headed the fight card that night.