British driver Lewis Hamilton is considered by fans to be the top all-time playboy in formula one, according to a new poll.

Viewers of Nuts TV Sports News were asked to rate drivers from past and present in a variety of categories, including their success with women, their champagne lifestyle and their sense of style.

And Hamilton, 23, came out on top in all three categories, thanks largely to continued speculation linking him to Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger.

In the past, the young Briton has also been linked with Naomi Campbell, Danni Minogue and Vivian Burkhardt, a former Miss World runner-up.

However, the same poll revealed that F1 fans still think Hamilton has some work to do in terms of driving before he is on a par with his hero Ayrton Senna and seven-time former champion Michael Schumacher.

Both of these men came above Hamilton when people were asked to rate drivers according to their on-track abilities, with the young Briton finishing third.

Joe Talbot, director of programming at Nuts TV, commented: "Lewis is a real hero for our viewers.

"He's a star on the track, and after pulling a Pussycat Doll, obviously a star with the women too. No wonder he is one of the top sports idols of recent years.

"Formula one has a long tradition of men who are really 'living the dream' - so as long as he keeps up the hard work behind the wheel he shouldn't be embarrassed that F1 fans think he is the ultimate playboy."

The poll also revealed that fans consider there to be less personalities in the sport in recent years than there have been in the past, with all the drivers named in the top five according to their sense of humour having already retired.

Full results list from Nuts TV Sports News poll

Top five according to driving ability:

1. Michael Schumacher
2. Ayrton Senna
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Jackie Stewart
5. Nigel Mansell

Top five according to success with women:

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Jackie Stewart
3. Eddie Irvine
4. Jenson Button
5. David Coulthard

Top five according to the champagne lifestyle:

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Eddie Irvine
3. Jenson Button
4. James Hunt
5. David Coulthard

Top five according to sense of humour:

1. James Hunt
2. Jackie Stewart
3. Nigel Mansell
4. Eddie Irvine
5. Damon Hill

Top five according to sense of style:

1. Lewis Hamilton
2. James Hunt
3. Jenson Button
4. Ayrton Senna
5. David Coulthard
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