Hamilton sued over R64-million Grenada villa

London - World Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton is in a $4.6 million legal battle with an Italian property developer.

The Sun newspaper reports that the 2016 F1 world championship leader ordered a luxury villa be built in Grenada, where his father's family emigrated from, including a custom recording studio, gym and private jetty.

But Hamilton reportedly pulled out of the deal when he split with his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, prompting Italian developer Bernardo Bertucci to sue him.

'I really trusted him'

Bertucci. said: "I really trusted him, one day when the villa was half built I received an email from him saying that he didn't want to go ahead.

"I am pretty sure he knows he didn't behave correctly with me."

The Sun said Hamilton actually won the Grenada Supreme Court case initially, but Bertucci is now appealing.

The Italian said: "I didn't want to take legal action but it is very difficult to sell a personalised villa like this." 

A spokesman for the Mercedes driver did not comment.