Hamilton and Scherzinger are back on track

IT MAY be the start of the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship, but if Lewis Hamilton has a good finish at the end of the season, he will have to thank his dad.

A friend of the 27-year-old told Britain's Daily Star that advice from Hamilton's father, Anthony, had made him decide to rekindle his three year on-off relationship with pop star Nicole Scherzinger, 33, last month.

The source said: "Lewis's dad told him if he wants to win the championship again, he needs a settled personal life.

"Lewis has been living it up since he split with Nicole last year. He's been attending a lot more F1 parties and enjoying the life of a famous millionaire sportsman.

"His family stayed close to Nicole during the split and his dad said all the partying could jeopardise his career.

"He pointed out that Nicole was an amazing lady and that she wouldn't wait around for long.

"Lewis has always been close to his dad and Anthony has managed his whole career from the start."

Scherzinger was spotted with Hamilton last week in Australia, where she watched him come third in the Australian Grand Prix. She accompanied him in Sepang, Malaysia, this past weekend where he again finished third.

The couple, who had earlier said their busy schedules had kept them apart, looks set to spend more time together since Scherzinger was axed from Simon Cowell's US X Factor talent show.

She said she feels "nervous" on behalf of her boyfriend when he races. She told Australia's Herald Sun: "I am a very competitive person by nature, so I try to focus positive energy for him."

One of the reasons behind the couple's split last year was Scherzinger's wish to have kids, while Hamilton wasn't ready, a source told Britain's The Sun.

Scherzinger hinted that she wanted Hamilton to propose, saying: "I wo! uld like to get married one day, but it's not just up to me."

When asked about kids, she added: "It would be nice."

The high-flying couple started dating four years ago after meeting at the European Music Awards in Munich. They split last October, but got back together last month.

The source told Daily Star: "Lewis is ready to settle down. He's had four months to live the life of a single millionaire F1 driver and is now in it for the long haul.

"His family thinks there will be a wedding by the end of next year."

This article was first published in The New Paper.