Trying to hold on? Nicole Scherzinger embraces ex Lewis Hamilton in a warm hug as the F1 driver keeps a frosty distance

By Holly Thomas

Last updated at 4:22 PM on 22nd November 2011

The hand in his pocket said it all.

As Nicole Scherzinger leaned in to embrace her ex-boyfriend Lewis Hamilton with a warm hug, the F1 driver kept his distance, not reciprocating the gesture.

The tense encounter made a sorry sight in a Los Angeles car park.

Holding back: Nicole Scherzinger embraced ex Lewis Hamilton in an LA car park, but he didn't reciprocate the hug

It appeared that while Nicole was making an effort to break the palpable ice, Lewis was having none of it, and maintained a stand-offish demeanor.

The 26-year-old stared at the ground during most of their meeting.

Nicole's eyes tried to meet his gaze, but Lewis continued to look away, brushing off her anguished looks.

The couple — whose four year relationship ended last month — shared an awkward silence as they seemed caught at odds.

Awkward distance: Nicole looked anguished as Lewis avoided her eyes, staring instead at the ground

And when Lewis kept his hand in his pocket as Nicole attempted a reconciliatory hug the excruciating atmosphere became unbearable.

A dejected Lewis walked away past a shopping mall, Nicole's hurt eyes burning a hole in his back.

His mood was a total contrast to that of two weeks ago, when he triumphed at the season's penultimate F1 race in Abu Dhabi.

Lewis split with U.S. X Factor judge and former Pussycat Doll Nicole, in October after four years.

Reports said he wasn't ready to settle down and have children.

'I'm not ready for a family,' Hamilton is said to have told friends.

Miles apart: Body language did not look hopeful for a reconciliation

A source told the Daily Mirror: 'Lewis decided they had to part. She wanted more than he could offer at this stage in his life.'

Back in 2009 Nicole told the paper: 'I am the happiest I have ever been. Lewis is such an amazing, humble and chivalrous guy. We would love to have beautiful angel babies together one day.'

Lewis spoke to the paper about the split but confirmed the pair are still friends.

He said: 'Yeah, we're friends at least and we can move forward. It's never easy going through tough times.

'It's these kind of times that are sent to try you, and it's about how you pull through them.

End of the road: Lewis keeps his hands glued inside his pockets and looks disinterested in what Nicole has to say

Tellingly, both Nicole and Lewis have maintained a professional front over the last few days, making no public mention of their meeting.

Each has focused on their own business commitments, with Nicole tweeting a picture of Shape magazine- which she is currently on the cover of- and Lewis of himself on a Rebok shoot.

Nicole recently opened up to Shape about how she has learned to accept her body after years of doubt over her appearance.

Keeping it professional: Nicole made no mention of the car park encounter with Lewis on her Twitter page, choosing instead to post this picture of herself on the cover of Shape magazine

'I started jogging and counting calories when I was just 14. I've been on every diet you can imagine,' she admitted.

'By the time I was in the Pussycat Dolls, I was on the scale all the time. It became my enemy because I noticed that when I exercised really hard, I'd gain weight.'

Still very slender, Nicole has nevertheless learned to go a little easier on herself nowadays.

'Now that I'm in my 30s, I've stepped off the scale - I just go by how my clothes fit,' she said.

'I'm more accepting of my body and have learned to really embrace it. It's all about finding balance,' she continued.

'My new motto is: "Stay active, eat everything in moderation, and stop being so tough on myself".'

Staying private: Lewis was also reserved about the meeting on Twitter, posting instead this picture of himself at a Rebok shoot on the same day as his meeting with Nicole