Guys and dolls – and the queen

Lewis Hamilton was crowned world champion this week, but the jewel in his crown was in place way before he sped past the flailing Timo Glock on the last lap at Interlagos on Sunday.

Singer Nicole Schwerzinger stood in the crowd with Hamilton's brother Nick and dad Anthony and looked every part the popular Pussycat Doll that she is.

However, she may be questioning his commitment after Hamilton emerged from his McLaren-Mercedes and ran towards the throng of Union Jack waving fans. Schwerzinger, so often the star of the spotlight herself, was shoved aside as people pushed to get close to the first black world champion.

Hamilton, for his part, was equally dismissive of his new girlfriend, hugging his brother before disappearing towards McLaren chief Ron Dennis without even a wink for the "wife".

"If you look at the statistics, he has won more points, more races and had more podiums in the past two years than any other driver," said Dennis.

"He is now the youngest world champion ever, and he just keeps on delivering. He is two years into his career, and there is a long way to go." Hamilton's loyalty had been inexplicably questioned and people have whispered about his future. But he refuted any such claims.

"I love this team," said the 23-year-old. Maybe not what Nicole had in mind when she questioned his commitment.

"I'm not going anywhere!" Perhaps there was another woman in the mind of F1's youngest champion: Queen Elizabeth II wrote Hamilton a telegram this week. "I'm delighted that you succeeded in winning the Formula One World Championship to become the youngest-ever champion," wrote Her Majesty.

"I send you my warmest congratulations on your remarkable and historic achievement."

More than 13 million people watched Hamilton win the title on British terrestrial television and an average 8.8 million watched all 72 laps – the highest since the company began broadcasting F1 11 years ago. Statistics like that, coupled with the pop star girlfriend, good looks and genuine respect (and no doubt a tad of jealousy) from the men of this world, means it won't be long until the Woking-based driver is earning more than the likes of Messrs Beckham and Woods.

By the time Abu Dhabi hosts its inaugural Grand Prix next November at the Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton could be on his way to a second title – a scenario that won't sit favourably with the Ferrari boys Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen.

Sponsored by Mubadala and Etihad, Ferrari will be hoping to pull off some spectacular celebrations next year in the UAE capital.

But "Lionheart Lewis" has other things on mind. "Just to get to one [title] has been unbelievably hard, hopefully the next one will be easier," he said. "I have great drivers like Felipe, Heikki [Kovalainen], my team-mate.

"They are always going to be pushing me, so to beat them every year is going to be tough. But each year I will get stronger. People say the second year is harder, but I don't particularly agree," added Hamilton, who missed a rookie championship by one point.