If Tom Cruise felt “the need – the need for speed”, he was in the right place. romance? Perhaps not.

Photos of the Top Gun star chatting animatedly with Shakira, 46, at the Miami Grand Prix (left) put his fans in a spin, with one US news outlet saying Tom, 60, was “extremely interested in pursuing” the Colombian singer and even sent her flowers.

Rather than fuelling the rumours, however, Shakira made it clear it was cars, not hearts, that were racing on the day.

“Shakira had a great time hanging out with Tom, but she has no interest in dating him,” an insider said. “She had a fun time when they chatted, but that’s as far as things have gone.”

Since Shakira’s 11-year relationship with former footballer Gerard Piqué ended last summer, she is said to be focusing on their sons Milan, ten, and Sasha, eight, and her career. She has also been spending time with friends including Sir Lewis Hamilton whom she joined for dinner shortly after the racing weekend.

Tom and Shakira were certainly not the only celebrities enjoying the Formula 1 action, with tennis sisters Serena and Venus Williams (both above), singer Will.i.am and actor Vin Diesel among the VIP guests. ■