F1 fans boo Ted Cruz, question Sophie Cunningham's Austin appearance

One of the more recent outspoken figures in sports, WNBA role player and political lightning rod Sophie Cunningham, served as ceremonial flag waver at Sunday’s United States Grand Prix in Austin. Her appearance was one of two toward the end of the event Sunday that attracted plenty of attention.

Cunningham, who has been open about her opposition to transgender women in women’s sports, broadcast her presence in Austin on Sunday. Ahead of Sunday’s race, which is one of Formula One’s most illustrious events held on 3.42 miles of track at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) south of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Cunningham snapped an Instagram reel posing at COTA with a Tecovas cowboy hat with the inscription “YEE MF HAW.” 

Then, wearing the same getup, Cunningham was introduced as the waver of the black-and-white chequered flag, a role often given to celebrities. She waved the flag as Kimi Antonelli of Italy crossed the finish, taking the U.S. Grand Prix on the way to what should be a world championship.

Immediately Formula One fans reacted to Cunningham’s appearance at the event.

Cunningham, who is from Missouri and plays for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, made an interesting choice for flag waver of an event in the heart of Texas. 

But the choice of trophy presenter at least fit the location. Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz stood on the podium Sunday to hand Antonelli his prize and was roundly booed by the Austin crowd.

Embarrassing. Republican senator and Trump supporter @tedcruz brutally booed by the Austin crowd on the F1 podium. 🇺🇸 #COTA https://t.co/vgSgfmCqrH

– Antonello Guerrera (@antoguerrera) October 25, 2026

Once Cruz passed the trophy to Antonelli, who raised it to the sky, the boos immediately turned to cheers.

This article originally published at F1 fans boo Ted Cruz, question Sophie Cunningham’s Austin appearance.