Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has knocked back suggestions that he surrounds himself with celebrity pals.

The 28-year-old, who is in a relationship with American popstar Nicole Sherzinger, has insisted that he spends most of his time away from the track with family and friends.

"People think I hang around with celebrities all the time, but that's not true at all," Hamilton wrote in his new BBC Sport column. "I have a girlfriend, Nicole Scherzinger, who is a celebrity, but you don't choose who you fall in love with.

"I just happened to meet her at an event I was at and sparks went flying.
It just happens that she is successful at what she does. That's great.

"I get to meet incredible people like Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Denzel Washington, but it's very rare I have celebrities at a race with me. Most of the time, my family and friends are there."

Hamilton will compete for Mercedes for the first time in the Australian Grand Prix this Sunday.