Lewis lurks in background at Nelson Mandela’s birthday bash

We told you last week about Lewis Hamilton taking his Pussycat Doll WAG to Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday dinner in London. Now here’s a pic of Lewis on stage at the event, albeit lurking on the sidelines. You can tell from the way the celebs are arranged, that Lewis is still some way from the top of fame’s fickle pecking order, behind Will Smith (Hollywood A-lister) and even Annie Lennox (self-righteous pop star, wearing her best humanitarian face).

Still, Lewis was clearly impressed by his encounter Mandela: “When I met him it was like walking in to see the king,” he said. “To be in front of God. He’s such a genuine guy. I’m sure he’s met millions of people in his life but he had so much patience with me. I was left speechless. I’ve never been speechless before.”

Lewis also revealed that he was sat next to Chelsea Clinton at the after-bash dinner. He said:

“At the dinner I was next to Chelsea Clinton. Mr Mandela was two seats away. Bill Clinton was opposite. Sir Elton John and Oprah Winfrey were by me. I couldn’t believe that I was there with all these people. It was one of the best nights of my life. I was supposed to be leaving early because I was testing at Silverstone the next day, but I couldn’t.”

It didn’t stop him from setting the fastest time at Silverstone.