He makes his living by driving super-fast cars, but now Lewis Hamilton has splashed out on an even speedier mode of transport – a £20 million private jet.
The Formula 1 driver hopes the blood-red Bombardier CL-600, which cruises at 500mph, will ease the strain of his long-distance relationship with X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger.
While Hamilton lives in Monaco, the former Pussycat Doll is based in Los Angeles and both travel all over the world for their work.
Friends say the 28-year-old bought the top-of-the-range jet to make travelling to see his girlfriend as pain-free as possible.
The couple split briefly in 2011, reportedly due to the pressure of spending so much time thousands of miles apart.
The plane is fitted with a pull-out bed, several plasma television screens and a bar.
And the 2008 world champion has given it a personal touch by changing the official registration to G-LCDH, standing for Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton.
The 2008 F1 champion saved himself a hefty VAT bill by taking delivery of the jet at Isle of Man Airport last month.
The island’s authorities charge less tax than on the mainland.
Hamilton then took his maiden flight to Stuttgart in Germany, where he visited his new Formula 1 team, having signed a £60 million contract with Mercedes in September.
Travel all over the world for work: The Formula 1 driver hopes the blood-red Bombardier CL-600, which cruises at 500mph, will ease the strain of his long-distance relationship with X Factor judge Scherzinger
He tweeted a photograph of himself relaxing on what appeared to be one of the jet’s reclining leather seats, captioning it: ‘End of the day, back to the mountains to train!
The former McLaren driver and 34-year-old Scherzinger, who started dating in 2007, have joined an elite club of ‘super-celebrities’, including Tom Cruise and Oprah Winfrey, who can afford a private jet.
Lap of luxury: The Formula 1 driver tweeted this photo last month relaxing on what appeared to be one of the jet's reclining leather seats, captioning it: 'End of the day, back to the mountains to train!'
'Great impact': Hamilton described the 2011 Formula 1 season, during which he split from Scherzinger, as his worst
It will mean they no longer have to endure the delays at commercial airports that blight air travel for the masses, and can travel vast distances to see each other at great speed and in great style.
Hamilton described the 2011 Formula 1 season, during which he split from Scherzinger, as his worst.
He has spoken of the ‘great impact’ the relationship has on his life. Meanwhile, the Hawaiian-born singer recently said: ‘I wouldn’t wish a long-distance relationship on anyone. Lewis would say the same.
'But if it’s worth it, you fight for it. We try to see each other as much as possible.’
She has yet to agree a deal to reprise her role as a judge on the UK version of The X Factor, having mentored James Arthur to victory in the last series.
She reportedly spent most of her £750,000 fee on chartering private jets to visit her boyfriend during filming late last year.
Hamilton is expected to use the jet, which can be chartered for about £10,000 an hour when not in use, tomorrow to fly to Jerez in Spain, where he is due to unveil his racing car for the 2013 season.
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