Formula 1 racing car driver Lewis Hamilton has bought one of Prince's guitars for $100,000.

Appearing on US TV show George Lopez Tonight, the singer said he auctioned off the Fender Stratocaster to the driver as part of his effort to help arts, education and environment funds.

Holding the instrument, he said: "We got $100,000 for that, brother Lewis Hamilton, the racing car driver."

"It will be hard to part with this," he added.

Prince, who announced a 21 gig series in Los Angeles earlier this week, also perform with new band The New Power Generation on the programme.

The group debut Prince's new song 'Lay Down', as well as the previously released 'The Beautiful Ones'.

(by Jason Gregory)