Yael Shelbia Says Her Relationship with Lance Stroll Is Unlike Anything She Has Known

Yael Shelbia was supposed to reunite on Sunday evening with her boyfriend of the past few months, Canadian Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll, but the meeting was delayed because of Iranian threats. With a deal reportedly taking shape between Donald Trump and Iran, Stroll is expected to arrive in Israel today. Until then, Shelbia opened the day at the launch of April’s flagship store at TLV Mall, where she is a brand ambassador.

In an interview with Pplus, Shelbia described the long-distance relationship as unlike her previous ones, including her past relationship with singer Omer Adam. She said she did not expect to enter a relationship like this and admitted that the Formula 1 world initially felt intimidating. “I can say that until I came to the races for the first time, I did not understand how crazy it is and how international it is,” she said. “I got to know him, and only after about six months I came for the first time to see what he does and his work, and it’s crazy, and he’s amazing, and I’m proud of him more than anyone in the world.”

She also said the couple handles the distance by planning ahead and making an effort. “I was very stressed at first, because I have already been in relationships like this and it’s not simple, but we manage it, thank God, with a firm hand,” she said. Asked whether she could see herself moving abroad for love, she answered that she will always remain based in Israel. “I always will stay in the country,” she said, adding that after October 7 she realized Israel is her home base and the place where she wants to raise her children, even if she lives part-time abroad.

Shelbia said the relationship feels different partly because of her own maturity and inner change. “It is different from anything I knew,” she said, adding that she is happy and in love. She also said Stroll understands the reality of life in Israel, citing their recent conversation after his flight was delayed because of warnings of an Iranian attack. “These are the lives we live here,” she said, noting that even during a ceasefire, no one knows what could happen in a year or two. She also spoke about a recent project raising awareness of panic attacks and the song “Ahuvi,” saying it is deeply personal because after October 7 she went through a difficult period and was afraid to sleep or shower alone.