Formula One Champ Lewis Hamilton Confirms ‘Friendship’ With Barbados Beauty Rihanna

(Daily Mail) – They’ve been linked to one another for a matter of months – but Lewis Hamilton has finally spoken out to address rumours that he has been dating Rihanna.

In an interview with E!, the 30-year-old Formula 1 star denied their relationship was anything but platonic, despite putting on a flirty display in Barbados together last month.

‘You know, I’ve known Ri for a long time,’ Lewis said. ‘We’ve been friends for a while. We get to hang out every now and again…otherwise, we’re just good friends.’

Stepping out: On Friday, Rihanna and Lewis both arrived at The Griffin nightclub in New York later that month, after a string of late-night rendezvous

Lewis Hamiliton and Rihann finally address dating rumors.

The couple were romantically linked ever since they were spotted flirting at the annual Crop Over festival in Barbados in August.

They then got cosy as they enjoyed a day of water sports on the island together and were spotted exiting 1Oak nightclub in NYC separately where it’s believed they had dinner together.

Then on August 14, the 27-year-singer and Lewis added fuel to the fire when they were spotted arriving at a nightclub in New York City within minutes of each other.

The pals attempted to go incognito in contrasting outfits as they stepped out to The Griffin in The MeatPacking District.

Lewis is single since splitting from his girlfriend of seven years, Nicole Scherzinger at the start of the year.

A source close to the star told MailOnline at the time: ‘It was a mutual decision. The long distance kept them apart for long periods of time.

The Daily Mail Reports, In March, she told Now magazine that she was looking forward to new ventures.

‘I’m a very spiritual person and I’ve been seeing all these messages saying that even when it’s a new phase, we tend to keep in the old way of thinking,’ she told the magazine.

‘So this year I’m embracing change and looking ahead. I’m just trying to think in a new way and try out new things.’

Lewis and Rihanna Aren’t Strangers

‘We’ve been friends for a while’: Lewis Hamilton address those Rihanna dating rumours – the pair were pictured getting up close and personal while in Barbados on August 3

Rihanna and Lewis, 30, pictured together at the British Fashion Awards in December 2014, have reportedly been enjoying secret dates

Long-time friends: The British F1 driver at the Bajan singer have been close for years, with Rihanna pictured cheering Lewis on at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2011

rihanna and lewis contnue to

RiRi and Lewis continue to fuel dating rumors.

The Barbadian beauty has been linked with a number of eligible bachelors after the breakdown of her relationship with Chris Brown back in 2009

Rihanna released her debut album, Music of the Sun, in 2005 and has since released seven albums, launched multiple Top 10 hits and won eight Grammy Awards.

She is currently working on her eight album.

‘New album is going really, really great. We have recorded a lot of songs and I can’t wait to finish and put it out. That’s my next step,’ she said.