Stewart: Calm down Lewisposted in F126 | 09 | 2011
SCOTLAND'S MOST SUCCESSFUL Formula One racer, triple world champ Sir Jackie Stewart, has offered Lewis Hamilton some advice: "calm down".
While Bathgate's Paul di Resta delivered yet another controlled race to finish sixth in Singapore in his Force India, McLaren racer Hamilton again found himself embroiled in controversy after clashing with Felipe Massa's Ferrari when fighting for fifth place.
And Stewart (pictured) believes Hamilton, the 2008 world champ, now has to temper his impetuosity and learn to drive more cautiously if he is to be considered one of the greats .
"I'm slightly confused because he certainly knows how to drive and has a very large amount of natural talent," the veteran Scot said. "But if he is going to be a great driver he cannot have serial incidents.
"None of the great drivers ever drove in that fashion. The Fangios, Jim Clarks, Niki Laudas, myself – we didn't have many accidents. Lewis has all the skills, but he jumps out of gear mentally.
Best ever F1 result for Paul di Resta in Singapore
"Look at qualifying in Singapore, when he was leaving the pits. I cannot believe he nearly had an incident that would have taken him out of qualifying.
"The race incident was again uncalled for, so I think he needs to think about his mind-management. He has the skills, and he has the abilities, but unfortunately he is having too many incidents.
"Michael (Schumacher) has had the same problem, but now Lewis needs to learn when to be a bit more cautious before taking on some of the manoeuvres he attempts."
Hamilton's father Anthony, meanwhile, who coincidentally manages 25-year-old Di Resta — accepted by those in the paddock as being one of the most measured, calm minds in the pitlane —believes management issues may be the key factor in the current troubles, as he thinks XIX Management should be giving him more support.
"His management need to do more," Hamilton snr said. "What I will say is look up the paddock; every driver that's got a driver manager, the manager is here (in Singapore) and in the driver's life."
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Jim McGill