Key Takeaways

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham waved the checkered flag at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, prompting F1 fans to question her selection.

The backlash follows Cunningham’s opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, a stance she says aims to “protect young girls” rather than express hatred toward trans people.

Cunningham said she no longer cares what critics say, while her F1 appearance continued a run of sports crossovers that includes a UFC cameo and talks about a potential WWE appearance.

Sophie Cunningham's appearance at the October 25 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, sparked criticism from Formula One fans who questioned why the controversial WNBA player was chosen to wave the checkered flag.

According to The Houston Chronicle , the Indiana Fever guard arrived at the Circuit of the Americas wearing a Tecovas cowboy hat emblazoned with "YEE MF HAW," showed off her outfit in an Instagram Reel, then took her position trackside.…