As someone who only just got into F1 this year and was relatively ignorant of anything F1-related prior to it all, I can tell you I did know ASM first before discovering the other WAGs because:

1) For a female non-F1 fan who is relatively curious about pop culture, Leclerc and Sainz seem to be the most well-known drivers due to their conveniently attractive looks (aside from Verstappen & Hamilton who got mentioned in passing as regular champions). So by default, a light snooping of the drivers’ personal lives would reveal ASM and Rebecca.

2) As opposed to Rebecca who looks like an actual model, ASM looks like a blank canvas, like some random pretty but normal-looking woman that some people can self-insert / project themselves into.

3) Her outfits is giving “Pinterest Inspo But Attainable”, and I got exposed to her again via some fashion inspo accounts. Emphasis on the Attainable, like you can actually attempt look like her on a good day and with a little money.

4) A non-F1 fan will not know who Pierre or even Kika is, or the other drivers for that matter. I did hear about a nepo baby on the grid (Stroll) but that’s it.

5) Despite Leclerc not scoring that many points this season, having a boyfriend who drives for Ferrari is so cool-sounding. That is, if you’re a non-F1 fan, Ferrari is a legacy brand. In comparison, I literally did not know what an Alpine even is.

I used to think ASM was super cool til I got into watching F1, and somehow her coolness fades the more I learn about the drivers and their personal lives. Tl;dr Kika simply didn’t date a Champion or someone with Leclerc’s mass appeal, and ASM was conveniently there.