Emeli Sandé reveals admiration for Formula One superstar Hamilton

Singer Emeli Sandé has spoken of her admiration for Formula One star Lewis Hamilton, while revealing she played for a football team growing up.

Sandé will sang at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco last night, continuing her association with sport having previously performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympics in 2012.

She said: “It’s important because my music’s always been linked with sporting events. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence but I feel like the dedication a lot of athletes put 0 Emily Sandé revealed she played in a football team into what they’re doing really matches a lot of lyrics in my song.”

Sandé identified four-time world champion Hamilton as the sportsman she held in the highest regard having been impressed by his desire to reach the top of his chosen field from a young age.

The 30-year-old, who is currently writing her third album, also drew parallels between achieving success in sport and music.

She added: “I’m friends with Lewis Hamilton, I met him a couple of years ago. We were doing a show in the States and I finally got time to sit down with him and talk to him, and it’s just the discipline I admire so much and also that pinpoint focus he’s had from such a young age. I really admire him. He was talking about his music and how his passions have crossed over.”