- 14 Oct 08, 18:58#72417
Found this on ITV's site and though people might be interested. I always like to hear from Sir Jackie.
A very wise and knowledgable man.
I still think Lewis has a massive advantage over Massa going into the next two rounds, but he does need to stay more focussed than he was last year to do it or else Massa or Kubica could take it away from him.
Sir Jackie Stewart says Lewis Hamilton must keep his composure if he is avoid letting the world championship crown slip from his grasp for the second consecutive season.
Hamilton blew a golden chance to increase his points lead over Ferrari rival Felipe Massa in last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, finishing a distant 12th following a race which rapidly went downhill after an over-ambitious move at the first corner, which later earned him a drive-through penalty.
The Briton now heads into the final two races of the season just five points ahead of Massa, and this week returns to China where last year his bid for an unprecedented world crown in his rookie season began to fall apart when he slid into a gravel trap in the pit lane.
Stewart, who won the title three times during his illustrious career, fears Hamilton may miss out again if he repeats the mistakes of Japan.
“Looking at Lewis Hamilton's drive, this was not his finest hour,” JYS said in his column for Williams sponsor RBS.
“There's an old adage, 'You can't win the race in the first corner, but you can lose it.'
“And that's exactly what occurred.
“His approach in that first corner was slightly arrogant to other drivers.
“He braked far too late, ran deep into the run-off area, almost collided with Kimi Raikkonen, and was later punished by the stewards with a drive-through penalty.
“The Japanese race demonstrated that Lewis is still very young, in only his second season, and although he comes across as very cool in interviews, he doesn't always have the same level of mind management when he's racing
“Lewis Hamilton can still win the championship, but not if he drives the last two races the way he drove in Japan.”
Hamilton was involved in a second controversial incident a lap later at Fuji, when Massa spun him around as they battled for position after both losing ground in the first corner melee.
The McLaren driver claimed his title rival, who was also handed a drive-through for causing the clash, had driven into him on purpose.
Stewart doubts Massa’s move had been deliberate, but points to it as an example of how the Brazilian was also guilty of hot-headedness.
“Felipe Massa did not drive a great race either,” he said.
“He was penalised for his collision with Hamilton, and although he surely didn't intentionally cause the crash, it was the result of Massa taking liberties which were really asking for trouble.”
A very wise and knowledgable man.
I still think Lewis has a massive advantage over Massa going into the next two rounds, but he does need to stay more focussed than he was last year to do it or else Massa or Kubica could take it away from him.
