Nicole Scherzinger "nearly collapsed with excitement" when she saw her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton win the Formula 1 World Championship.

The British racing driver triumphed at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, snatching fifth place in a nerve-wracking finish which handed him the 2008 World Title.

And Scherzinger was track-side in Sao Paulo, Brazil to witness the momentous occasion.

She says, "Lewis is a fantastic driver. Where the winner mentality comes from, God only knows, because he gave him the gifts.

"I nearly collapsed with excitement when he came through on the last lap. I couldn't calm down, nor could (Hamilton's brother) Nicholas - we just both kept screaming at each other."