Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is house-hunting in Los Angeles to live closer to reality television star Kim Kardashian as their romance accelerates.
The British driver, whose permanent residence is in Monaco, is considering purchasing or renting a property in California, where Kardashian lives with the four children from her marriage to rapper Kanye West.
Hamilton has already instructed estate agents to locate a luxury mansion in Los Angeles, although he has not yet decided whether to buy or lease. His preferred search areas include the coastal enclave of Malibu, the Hollywood Hills and Pacific Palisades.
Malibu is known for its private beachfront estates, while the Hollywood Hills offers secluded properties above the city basin, and Pacific Palisades borders the coast between Santa Monica and Malibu.
Formula One off-season plans
The California residence would serve as Hamilton's base during the Formula One off-season, enabling the couple to spend more time together away from the racing calendar.
The annual Grand Prix season pauses during the winter months, giving drivers a break before pre-season testing begins ahead of the new championship. Hamilton currently lives in Monaco, leaving him more than 9,600 kilometres away from California during the competitive year.
Sources close to the couple report that the racing driver is thrilled with the relationship and especially pleased by how effortlessly they communicate despite their heavy work schedules.
The same sources said Hamilton was impressed by how naturally his connection with Kardashian had developed and how they managed to make time for each other despite demanding professional commitments.
British knighthood and Lady Kim nickname
Friends of Kardashian have reportedly started playfully calling her Lady Kim because of her relationship with Hamilton, who holds a British knighthood.
Under the British honours system, the spouse of a knight carrying the title Sir is traditionally addressed as Lady. Hamilton was knighted in Britain following a record-breaking career that includes seven World Drivers' Championship titles, tying him with German racing legend Michael Schumacher for the most championships in Formula One history.
The Kardashians confession and partner traits
Kardashian recently indicated on an episode of her family's reality series, The Kardashians, that she is enjoying a particularly happy period in her personal life. The comments were viewed as the clearest public indication yet that her relationship with Hamilton is progressing positively.
The couple first became close in February. During the episode, Kardashian revealed that the man now in her life meets every single requirement she had set for an ideal romantic partner.
Speaking to 42-year-old comedian Nikki Glaser on the film set of the comedy The Fifth Wheel, Kardashian referenced a personal checklist of more than 50 traits she was seeking in a partner, indicating that she had finally met someone who possessed every one.
When television producers attempted to get her to reveal more details about the mystery man, Kardashian smiled and told them they were trying hard to extract the information. She said she would only say that she was truly very happy, adding that was all she would share for the moment.
Singapore Grand Prix paddock appearance
The relationship gained wider attention following appearances by the pair during the autumn racing calendar. Kardashian joined Hamilton at the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in October, wearing a sheer pink dress.
The two were seen embracing during the race weekend, shortly before reports highlighted Kardashian's checklist of 55 distinct traits for her ideal partner.
Kardashian continues to live in Southern California, where she manages her businesses, including the shapewear and clothing brand Skims, while raising her four children, North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm, following her divorce from West.
