Lewis plans space flight for family and WAG

If you believe the Evening Standard, Lewis Hamilton is planning to pay £625,000 for five seats on a Virgin Galactic flight. The first commercial flight of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo is scheduled for 2010.

Lewis will be accompanied on his trip into space by girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, dad Anthony, step-mum Linda and brother Nicholas.

The Standard’s “source” said: “He [Lewis] is on the way to becoming the first billionaire sportsman, so what better way to spend his fortune? Lewis thinks it would be the perfect way to say thank you to Nicole and his family for their support throughout his triumphant year.”

Hmm, dubious. Is it us, or does the mystery source sound rather like a PR for Virgin Galactic? Could be.

And how would McLaren feel about their prize asset riding a rocket into the unknown? Surely, for insurance reasons alone, it can’t happen.

Chances of this happening: Slim to none