Nice little article on Lewis on F1-Live. I'll quote just one paragraph:
"I'm in a unique position," the Briton is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "Nobody has felt exactly the same things as I've felt. The only person I really take advice from is my dad."
I think those 3 sentences are explaining Lewis (that some of us don't like) better than most of the things said in the forum. Even better - it came from his own mouth.
I'm still hoping that he will come back to Earth at some point and make a real great racer, but with the time passing, my fear is bigger than my hope.
There are some more "brilliant" thoughts from him in the article, have a look: http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 83610.shtm
The quotation you included in your post really says it all. Family and business don't mix. Yes, it's fine to consult your family and their emotional support is important, but you also need somebody who reminds you that you are mortal, to keep your feet on the ground, to make decisions with your head rather than your heart, and who is not not motivated with preservation of the family name or trying to live their own dreams through their advisee. I'm not completely certain what to think about Hamilton saying that he takes on board what people like Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill say to him, but does not actively seek them out; that he wants to do things by himself, with his family (if having family around you is by yourself). Although I don't think Hamilton should go and seek Stewart and Hill's advice, part of me wonders how much of his remark was a throw away comment, for after saying he takes on board their advice, he says he wants to go it alone. The family thing once again is a worry. Does Hamilton bullpoo? To be honest, I think he does.
The most recent example of a guy taking advice and being better because of it is Felipe Massa. Before coming to Ferrari, he was a total disaster, always crashing, flying off the track, dreadfully inconsistent etc. Schumacher really took him under his wing and Massa followed his advice. Now, he's a much better driver for it. He has improved his inconsistency, has got his head in order and has stopped crashing. Particularly this year, he is not a bad shout for the world title!
Everybody needs advice or the odd pointer and everybody is always learning. Especially somebody in Hamilton's position. To become the best in any business, you have to learn and mature and want to continuously improve. When somebody asked Ayrton Senna in 1993 was Donington his greatest ever race, he replied that although he had many good races, he was still waiting for greatest ever race.
Hamilton has the physical ability to become a World Champion, but his mental strength, personality and counsel are severely letting him down.
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998,
1999, 2007McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
