High life on hold as Hamilton plays happy families

Hamilton, who careered through the £1million barrier in a peerless rookie campaign, starts his second season in Sunday's Australian Grand Prix with a five-year deal worth around £75million already signed.

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But the McLaren driver, acclimatising to Melbourne's 35 degree heat on Monday, revealed he has yet to put his hand into his pocket. Well, almost.

Reflecting on an incredible year, the 23-year-old explained: 'Your perceptions of life change. I don't think I have changed as a person. I've not spent a penny. All I've paid for is my rent (for his new Geneva base) and food.

'I still have my sponsored car from Mercedes Benz which I'm happy driving. Clothes wise, I'm sorted out. I've got a jet deal with Bombardier.

'For the moment it's important I just keep working hard. It's all about building the groundwork for my family. I want to be able to take care of my mum.

'Even though you might have money now, I don't think it is right to splash it about. Something could happen to me and I might not have it again. I have to make sure it is invested properly.

'I have bought mum and dad a car and that's all. I want to buy my mum a house and set her up.'

That ambition should not prove beyond Hamilton, who is expected to match the earning power of A-listers such as David Beckham, Tiger Woods and Michael Schumacher.

A greater challenge will be to make time for his loved ones, including mum Carmen, who divorced his father-manager Anthony when he was two.

'Family are the most important thing to me. Last week I saw them all. It was the best day of the year. It brought a smile to my face, seeing the kids so full of life.

'I saw my mum the other day. It was the first time since Christmas, just because I've not had time. I fly back to Geneva maybe for a night or a day and then I'm off to a test or sponsor event.

'When I go to see my family, I usually have my friends there as well. I can count them on the fingers of one hand. I've had them from when I was at school. I don't feel the need for more.'

The action at Albert Park will produce a familiar sight — father and son side by side on the grid.

'It's the closest time we spend together,' said Hamilton, who believes his McLaren is nearly the equal of the Ferraris driven by Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.

'We have a special handshake and we have done it since I started out when I was eight. If dad's nervous we might do it before qualifying. I try to calm him down. We do it in the cockpit before the race. Always, without fail.'