Sophie Cunningham Waves Checkered Flag at Formula 1 US Grand Prix

Sophie Cunningham had a way of sparking frustration among certain fans, and that was certainly the case this past Sunday when she waved the checkered flag at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

The race itself was somewhat underwhelming, with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leading almost from start to finish.

Like most F1 races in the U.S., this event attracted a mix of celebrities, and Cunningham was spotted mingling with the Cadillac F1 team at their home race.

It’s not uncommon for stars to populate the paddock, as teams often invite various guests to join them at races.

Yet, not everyone gets the honor of waving the checkered flag, a privilege that Cunningham enjoyed at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend.

Interestingly, it’s somewhat striking to see another sport recognizing the appeal of a WNBA player before the league itself does.

Many fans appreciated the USGP organizers’ decision to have Cunningham signal the race’s conclusion just as Antonelli crossed the finish line.

However, some found it troubling that Cunningham—who has made statements about women’s sports being for biological women—received this opportunity.

It seems that Cunningham occupies a considerable amount of mental real estate for those on the left, provoking frustration even when she’s simply enjoying a prominent moment.

The F1 season moves on to Mexico City this coming weekend, followed by Brazil the next. After that, it will return to the United States for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 21, with the season concluding in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, provided everything goes as planned—although, honestly, there’s always a bit of uncertainty in the world of sports scheduling.

Perhaps the Vegas crowd might want to see Cunningham waving the flag once more. After all, she’s got some experience under her belt now.