Taxman is driving me out of UK, says F1 ace Lewis Hamilton

Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is moving to Switzerland to avoid the taxman.

The 22-year-old McLaren driver has previously blamed his decision to leave Britain on the lack of privacy he receives here.

But after mounting speculation, he finally made his admission during an interview on ITV1 chat show Parkinson last night.

Presenter Michael Parkinson said: "You say you are going to avoid the photographers, but I will imagine that you have also been advised to do so because of the tax?"

Hamilton replied: "That definitely adds to it."

During a career in which the driver's earnings could reach £100million, the move to the tax haven will mean he can avoid tens of millions of pounds in tax.

But Hamilton, who has recently published his autobiography, said he also wants to escape the attention of overzealous fans.

He said: "I love my fans, but I want to live a normal life if I can."

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Heart to heart: Lewis Hamilton gets close to Pussycat Doll Nicole Sherzinger

Determination to leave the country, though, hasn't stopped him forming attachments closer to home.

He may have been all over former Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich, but it seems his true passion can be found a little closer to home.

Lewis has been making frequent visits to London's Abercrombie & Fitch clothing store to pursue one of their stunning shopgirls.

"He has been in several times in the past three weeks to see her," a source revealed

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Living doll: Lewis cosied up to the singer after she performed at an award show

"They met on a night out and Lewis is besotted.

"He visited the store to find her and they have been on a couple of dates."

It has been the revealed the 18-year-old sales assistant is a student and part-time model.

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Model Pose: Lewis is said to be infatuated with a sales assistant at Abercrombie & Fitch