Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger are to marry after the singer finally accepted the racing star's proposal.

Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton are engaged to be married.

The F1 racing champion proved persistence pays off, having reportedly proposed to the former Pussycat Doll three times before, only to be turned down each time.

A source said: "Lewis is doing his best to keep the news under wraps but he is absolutely delighted. He got down on one knee and Nicole finally accepted.

"The plan is they are going to live together in Switzerland and travel together when Lewis is racing. Of course, this means her career will have to take a back seat for a while but she is ready to support him on the track.

"It is the ideal plan for the both of them and will hopefully lead to a big summer wedding in August when Lewis has a three-week break from his F1 schedule," the source added.

The couple who first met five years ago, share an on-off relationship having broken up several times.

In July they called things off permanently ahead of the first live auditions for The X Factor.

The singer confessed she was "an emotional wreck" after the break up.

"I've not been dating," said Scherzinger. "That's not where my head's been at. At all. You have to be happy with yourself before you're happy with anyone else."

Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton Rekindle Their Romance Spending New Year Together
Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton Rekindle Their Romance Spending New Year Together REUTERS

However it wasn't long before they appeared to have reconciled. Just a month later, 29-year-old Hamilton was spotted in the car-park of the hotel where Scherzinger was staying. Last year, they rekindled their romance again on a romantic trip to Rome.

The couple have been more forthcoming about their relationship of late, with the racing driver referring to the brunette beauty as 'wifey' in a photo of them in the Sistine Chapel.

Meanwhile, Scherzinger couldnt help but gush after Hamilton took the pole position during a qualifying race in Melbourne on Saturday ahead of Australia's Grand Prix.

"Congratulations @LewisHamilton So proud of u 4 taking pole position! First race of the season! @f1 #AustralianGP Race ur heart out babe! xo (sic)," she tweeted.

They are now said to be planning to set up home at Hamilton's Switzerland mansion after a summer wedding in August.