Lewis Hamilton: I only give my phone number to the ladies

Hamilton’s relationship with his rivals in the paddock is a persistent talking point, and especially following the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend where he had a fairly spectacular falling out with team-mate Nico Rosberg over his tyre preservation strategy.

The war of words between the two has persisted into this week ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix and Rosberg is not the only driver who Hamilton is reported to have a frosty relationship with.

In an interview with the Daily Express, the reigning Formula One champion was asked about his recent photoshoot with Men’s Health and whether any of his rivals had given him any stick.

Hamilton replied: "I message the team and ask how it has been received but, generally, it has been positive. But driver wise? No one has my number.”

Hamilton went on to add, presumably with tongue slightly in cheek, that now he is single following his split with Nicole Scherzinger, he is more concerned with distributing his digits to female admirers.

“No one has my number honestly,” he added. “I don't give my number out...only to the ladies."

As well as Rosberg, Hamilton is said to have a testy relationship with four-time champion Sebastian Vettel. However, Hamilton tried to play such suggestions down.

"There is no need for my relationship with Sebastian to improve," he said. "It was never bad. That is just another assumption.

"Just because you like the Beatles more than the Rolling Stones doesn't mean you respect them less than the other. It' a bit silly really do you not think? It's like saying I like Arsenal but it doesn't mean I dislike Man United."