F1 ace Lewis Hamilton splits from girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger

London: British racing driver Lewis Hamilton and Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger said they have ended their 20-month relationship.

Former world champion Hamilton, 25 and Scherzinger 31 said they were going to focus on their careers. "Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton can confirm that they have decided to go their separate ways," they said in a statement. "The two of them have decided to focus fully on their careers and will remain close friends."The pair first met at the MTV Europe Awards in Munich in November 2007 and began dating the following year. He described himself as like a "besotted schoolboy" while she watched from the sidelines in Brazil as he became World Champion in November 2008. But British media reports said the couple were close to separating last September because Hamilton was not ready to settle down.He is based in Switzerland while Scherzinger lives in Los Angeles. Bureau Report