Hamilton joins Beckham's stable

(Getty)

Lewis Hamilton is to join the same management company as David Beckham and Andy Murray, it was announced yesterday. The 2008 Formula One world champion had been managed by father Anthony until Hamilton decided last year he wanted a change.

The 26-year-old has now signed up with Simon Fuller's new company, XIX Entertainment, that also manages the Spice Girls and Sir Michael Caine as well as the England footballer Beckham and Scottish tennis player Murray.

Hamilton said: "It was important I took my time to make this decision as it had to be right for my long-term future. I spoke to many interested companies but I felt Simon Fuller along with his team at XIX Entertainment not only wanted to help me become an even better racing driver, but they also shared my ambitions for the longer term."

The McLaren driver is due to begin his fifth season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in 10 days time.