Everything You Need to Know About Yael Shelbia, Formula 1’s Newest WAG
Yael Shelbia may be the newest woman linked to Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll, but in Israel, she’s already been famous for years.
In fact, she was awarded the number-one spot on TC Candler’s annual "100 Most Beautiful Faces" list in 2020.
The 24-year-old model and actress was recently spotted arriving alongside the Aston Martin driver at the Miami Grand Prix paddock, immediately setting off “new WAG” speculation online after photos and videos of the pair began circulating.
Shelbia’s rise to fame didn’t happen through reality TV or celebrity dating rumors. She was still a teenager living in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya when photographers discovered her Instagram selfies and offered her professional modeling work. By 16, she was already landing major campaigns while trying to balance a strict Orthodox Jewish upbringing with an industry that often clashed with her lifestyle.
According to interviews cited in her biography, Shelbia kept kosher, observed Shabbat, and faced criticism from members of her religious community over her modeling career. At one point, her school reportedly threatened disciplinary action over her work in fashion campaigns before Israeli education officials allowed her to continue studying under certain conditions.
Her career accelerated quickly after that. She modeled for brands including Castro and Renuar before catching international attention through campaigns tied to Kim Kardashian’s KKW Beauty and Kylie Jenner’s skincare line. She also became known for refusing to fully separate her personal beliefs from her career. During one modeling trip to Milan, Shelbia reportedly struggled to find kosher food and survived on crackers for several days. She has also spoken about losing contracts because she would not work during the Sabbath or wear certain outfits.
Outside of modeling, Shelbia moved into acting with the Israeli television series “Palmach,” a teen historical drama set during the final years of British rule in Mandatory Palestine. She later appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Bulgaria and became one of Israel’s most recognizable young celebrities.
L’Officiel later described her as “one of Israel’s most renowned modeling talents” and noted that her rise represented more than social media fame or conventional beauty standards. The magazine pointed to her ability to balance military service in the Israeli Air Force, acting, and international modeling while becoming a recognizable face for a younger generation of Israeli women entering global fashion spaces.
Now, Formula 1 fans are only just discovering her. If you’ve ever gotten a sneak peek of the hyper-online world of F1, drivers’ relationships routinely become part of the spectacle (just look at Charles and Alexandra Leclerc). But Shelbia arrives with a level of fame and public intrigue that already rivals many longtime paddock regulars. So don’t get it twisted – she’s not just getting her name out there because she’s “Lance Stroll’s girlfriend” now. Thanks to her beauty and personality, she entered the spotlight years before the Miami Grand Prix photos ever hit Instagram.