Lewis Hamilton crowned ultimate F1 playboy

A poll of Nuts TV Sports News viewers, ahead of the British Grand Prix, has revealed that Lewis Hamilton is now considered to be the all-time top grand prix driver for living the ultimate playboy lifestyle – thanks to him dating a Pussycat Doll.

Lewis’ blossoming relationship with Nicole Scherzinger means the driver is in poll position on the glamour stakes in the Formula 1 circuit. Nuts TV viewers have paid tribute to his ability to pull the most glamorous women with his skills behind the wheel. He has also been linked with Naomi Campbell, Danni Minogue and Vivian Burkhardt, a former Miss World Runner-up, in the past.

But Lewis still has some work to do on the race track, according to the 500 Nuts TV Sports News viewers and sports fanatics polled, because Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna are still ranked well above him in terms of driving ability both in terms of races won and perception from F1 fans. 42% of viewers polled named Michael Schumacher as the best driver – well ahead of Lewis Hamilton who also trailed Ayrton Senna in the category.

Away from the racetrack, multimillionaire Lewis Hamilton is now an icon in more ways than one, with the McLaren driver being named as the most stylish driver, 23% of Nuts TV viewers giving him the honour – narrowly ahead of James Hunt, Jenson Button and Ayrton Senna.

And Lewis was named as number one for success with women and living the champagne lifestyle (only last week Lewis was pictured at Nelson Mandela’s star-studded birthday celebrations).

Nuts TV Sports News viewers were also asked to name the driver with the best sense of humour, and the top three slots all went to F1 stars of yesteryear, proving that many fans still yearn for a few more big personalities in the sport.

Top 5 according to driving ability:

1. Michael Schumacher
2. Ayrton Senna
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Jackie Stewart
5. Nigel Mansell,

Top 5 according to success with women:

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Jackie Stewart
3. Eddie Irvine
4. Jenson Button
5. David Coulthard

Top 5 according to the champagne lifestyle:

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Eddie Irvine
3. Jenson Button
4. James Hunt
5. David Coulthard

Top 5 according to sense of humour:

1. James Hunt
2. Jackie Stewart
3. Nigel Mansell
4. Eddie Irvine
5. Damon Hill

Top 5 according to sense of style:

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. James Hunt
3. Jenson Button
4. Ayrton Senna
5. David Coulthard

Joe Talbot, director of programming at Nuts TV, commented: “Lewis is a real hero for our viewers. He’s a star on the track, and after pulling a Pussycat Doll, obviously a star with the women too. No wonder he is one of the top sports idols of recent years. Formula 1 has a long tradition of men who are really ‘living the dream’ – so as long as he keeps up the hard work behind the wheel he shouldn’t be embarrassed that F1 fans think he is the ultimate playboy.

“But our opinion poll makes it clear that Lewis does still have to do some more work on his driving. He’s not won a championship – despite last year’s thrilling finish. Our viewers still recognise that although he’s an incredibly promising driver, the likes of Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna have proven themselves more, overall, when it counts”

Lewis Hamilton will be hopeful of success on home soil this weekend when the much-anticipated British Grand Prix takes place in Silverstone. Stevenage-born Lewis currently sits fourth in Driver’s Championship – but is still a strong contender for the title despite Felipe Massa’s hot form this year.

Just last week Honda Team Boss Ross Brawn warned Lewis Hamilton he needs to forget about the external distractions in his life. He said: "The driving is the thing that will carry him through whatever else happens. He's got to focus on his driving, concentrate on that, and everything else will take care of itself."