Some of my best friends are racing drivers

More column inches on the 'Hamilton effect'. For toe-curling fun next grand prix pay attention to references to Tiger Woods and what he did for golf. I can only assume that Steve Rider is far to polite to come out and say "Few black people currently seem to be interested in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton's presence may increase their numbers". Mark Blundell probably would say it, but he's only got up to the bit where Spot finds a ball, and struggles with words like condescension and patronising, 'cause they're like sums innit.

The Times reports that popular minstrel P Diddy may be planning to buy a Formula One team. The rapper made the announcement to guests at a dinner to launch his new perfume, Unforgiven. “It seemed to be more than bravado on his part,” reports one guest, adding that Diddy had previously spent much of the evening huddled in a corner with Lewis Hamilton.

Poor bastard. It's hard enough work driving those cars, then you have to turn up to promote phones and watches. Then you get collared by a wealthy self-important prick who thinks money can get him whatever he wants.

And the answer is usually "yes Bernie it can".