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[onelapdown]

His age is irrelevant. Hamilton is hit it "big time" last season and things are only going to get bigger. Hamilton stands to become the most highly paid sportsman ever. To say you don't professional help on some matters is risible. I'm not saying Hamilton should get rid of dad - far from it - but he should also consider drafting in somebody with a bit of expertise on some matters.

Thanks for getting back to me. I know it's a bit late now but for what it is worth why have a professional? It's not like the media can have any influence on what he does on track. I don't see how having a professional manager would help him.

Well if not having a professional means mistakes are made in the media which distract Hamilton from his racing, then it would help. I'm not sure to what extent Anthony Hamilton actually fulfils this role at the moment though, it's much more likely to be done by someone from McLaren's PR department. I see Anthony's role (in terms of Lewis's racing) as much more of a motivational coach, kind of half the job Rob Smedley has done so brilliantly for Massa. If that's the case why change? He's got him this far.

[juggles]

There was a period in the middle of this season where you were very critical of Anthony Hamilton, where you really couldn't stand him; just wondering why you felt that way at the time, and also what he's done to prompt the change in heart?

Saying that I couldn't stand him is going too far. I respect the sacrifices that he has made for son and that Hamilton family are a close-knit unit, but a time comes when a father has to step back slightly. For me, Anthony Hamilton is just too visible. As I've said before, Lewis Hamilton is in Formula One now. He was already pretty much a global superstar, and certainly is now, and with this comes intense media scrutiny. Anthony cannot manage Lewis' career himself. Like I've also said, there have been several embarrassing media gaffes since Lewis has been in Formula One, and somebody with expertise in P.R. could have seen to it that these red-faced moments never happened, or, if they did happen, limited the damaging effects. I can only conclude that Anthony is just too arrogant to realise he can't manage everything all of the time or is living his own dreams through his son. It's time for him to step out of the limelight - but not necessarily out of the picture.

I'm not sure; I think some of the slightly controversial things Hamilton has said or done are because he believes in being himself, and not becoming just another boring figure when talking to the media, who says exactly the same predictable lines. Maybe an agent would stop some of the so-called 'gaffes' from being printed, but is that necessarily a good thing? You have to admit that since he came along there's been a lot more to talk about, and it's part of the reason that people are naturally drawn towards Lewis Hamilton (saying what he believes without trying to sugar coat it). But maybe you're right about Anthony taking a quieter role. Just as long as Lewis continues to draw the same support from having him around as he did before.

[McLaren Fan]

I'm not sure; I think some of the slightly controversial things Hamilton has said or done are because he believes in being himself, and not becoming just another boring figure when talking to the media, who says exactly the same predictable lines. Maybe an agent would stop some of the so-called 'gaffes' from being printed, but is that necessarily a good thing? You have to admit that since he came along there's been a lot more to talk about, and it's part of the reason that people are naturally drawn towards Lewis Hamilton (saying what he believes without trying to sugar coat it). But maybe you're right about Anthony taking a quieter role. Just as long as Lewis continues to draw the same support from having him around as he did before.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

[8-ball]

I'm not sure; I think some of the slightly controversial things Hamilton has said or done are because he believes in being himself, and not becoming just another boring figure when talking to the media, who says exactly the same predictable lines. Maybe an agent would stop some of the so-called 'gaffes' from being printed, but is that necessarily a good thing? You have to admit that since he came along there's been a lot more to talk about, and it's part of the reason that people are naturally drawn towards Lewis Hamilton (saying what he believes without trying to sugar coat it). But maybe you're right about Anthony taking a quieter role. Just as long as Lewis continues to draw the same support from having him around as he did before.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

I don't think that it is Anthony's fault that ITV shove a camera in his face every 5 minutes.

[racechick]

I'm not sure; I think some of the slightly controversial things Hamilton has said or done are because he believes in being himself, and not becoming just another boring figure when talking to the media, who says exactly the same predictable lines. Maybe an agent would stop some of the so-called 'gaffes' from being printed, but is that necessarily a good thing? You have to admit that since he came along there's been a lot more to talk about, and it's part of the reason that people are naturally drawn towards Lewis Hamilton (saying what he believes without trying to sugar coat it). But maybe you're right about Anthony taking a quieter role. Just as long as Lewis continues to draw the same support from having him around as he did before.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

I don't think that it is Anthony's fault that ITV shove a camera in his face every 5 minutes.

[Flynn]

Exactly! That is what I say whenever people claim they don't like Lewis or his family because of the media.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

How did Lewis being pulled out of that triathalon actually affect his racing though? I am struggling to see the negative effects of this. Ofcourse Jensen would understand Lewis had, at the time, a championship fight on his hands.

[racechick]

Exactly! That is what I say whenever people claim they don't like Lewis or his family because of the media.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

How did Lewis being pulled out of that triathalon actually affect his racing though? I am struggling to see the negative effects of this. Ofcourse Jensen would understand Lewis had, at the time, a championship fight on his hands.

Exactly! Pulling him out was a smart move. Lewis just cant resist a challenge but it would have been foolhardy in the exteme.

[Denthúl]

Exactly! That is what I say whenever people claim they don't like Lewis or his family because of the media.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

How did Lewis being pulled out of that triathalon actually affect his racing though? I am struggling to see the negative effects of this. Ofcourse Jensen would understand Lewis had, at the time, a championship fight on his hands.

Exactly! Pulling him out was a smart move. Lewis just cant resist a challenge but it would have been foolhardy in the exteme.

I think it's more the fact that he accepted in the first place, knowing full-well that he wouldn't be able to compete, that causes people to complain about it.

[racechick]

Exactly! That is what I say whenever people claim they don't like Lewis or his family because of the media.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

How did Lewis being pulled out of that triathalon actually affect his racing though? I am struggling to see the negative effects of this. Ofcourse Jensen would understand Lewis had, at the time, a championship fight on his hands.

Exactly! Pulling him out was a smart move. Lewis just cant resist a challenge but it would have been foolhardy in the exteme.

I think it's more the fact that he accepted in the first place, knowing full-well that he wouldn't be able to compete, that causes people to complain about it.

Wasnt it accepted in public in an off the cuff comment??

[Denthúl]

Exactly! That is what I say whenever people claim they don't like Lewis or his family because of the media.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

How did Lewis being pulled out of that triathalon actually affect his racing though? I am struggling to see the negative effects of this. Ofcourse Jensen would understand Lewis had, at the time, a championship fight on his hands.

Exactly! Pulling him out was a smart move. Lewis just cant resist a challenge but it would have been foolhardy in the exteme.

I think it's more the fact that he accepted in the first place, knowing full-well that he wouldn't be able to compete, that causes people to complain about it.

Wasnt it accepted in public in an off the cuff comment??

I haven't a clue.

[Flynn]

Exactly! That is what I say whenever people claim they don't like Lewis or his family because of the media.

I don't mind a driver who speaks his mind. To be honest, I don't have a problem with 95% of the stuff Hamilton says, and I would hate for him to be censored in some way. When I'm talking about gaffes, I'm referring to things like when he accepted Button's athletic challenge then bailed out later on. Just having somebody there to keep an eye on things like that could help, or, alternatively, Anthony Hamilton could brush up in P.R. and marketing area a little bit more. Like I said before, I don't think Anthony should quit the scene - the Hamilton family is close knot and have always helped support Lewis' career - but he should be less conspicuous.

How did Lewis being pulled out of that triathalon actually affect his racing though? I am struggling to see the negative effects of this. Ofcourse Jensen would understand Lewis had, at the time, a championship fight on his hands.

Exactly! Pulling him out was a smart move. Lewis just cant resist a challenge but it would have been foolhardy in the exteme.

I think it's more the fact that he accepted in the first place, knowing full-well that he wouldn't be able to compete, that causes people to complain about it.

Wasnt it accepted in public in an off the cuff comment??

Yeah it was in a press conference. It's weird the media seem to take things so literally. Did anyone question whether David Coulthard would actually be carrying the drinks as he offered?

[McLaren Fan]

Hamilton genuinely accepted the challenge and bailed out later. It a poor reflexion of the savvy of a lot of people on here when they think that the only bad consequences of this incident - one of several - relate to his racing. Hamilton is a global icon - more than just a Formula One driver - and his reputation unnecessarily took a dent because of this P.R. fiasco.

[racechick]

Hamilton genuinely accepted the challenge and bailed out later. It a poor reflexion of the savvy of a lot of people on here when they think that the only bad consequences of this incident - one of several - relate to his racing. Hamilton is a global icon - more than just a Formula One driver - and his reputation unnecessarily took a dent because of this P.R. fiasco.

Yes he accepted the challenge. What hot blooded 22/3 year old wouldnt. It was an instinctive reaction and one i am sure he would dearly liked to have followed through, but...reality check..not a good idea at this moment in time(as Button and Coulthard no doubt knew as they were setting him up).
IMPACT? It would have reflected very badly on his racing had he incurred an injury.
It affected his image not a jolt. He is the one every advertiser dreams of having endorsiong their product.

[scotty]

Yes he accepted the challenge. What hot blooded 22/3 year old wouldnt.

I wouldn't, i'd have just said "Maybe in December mate, i have more important things to worry about right now, like trying to win races and maybe the title..."



Of course, i joke, that whole incident was kinda stupid. One day isn't much time off his hands to do that event surely? It also would have benefited his personal image, which should arguably be as important to him as corporate responsibilties imo...

[racechick]

Yes he accepted the challenge. What hot blooded 22/3 year old wouldnt.

I wouldn't, i'd have just said "Maybe in December mate, i have more important things to worry about right now, like trying to win races and maybe the title..."



Of course, i joke, that whole incident was kinda stupid. One day isn't much time off his hands to do that event surely? It also would have benefited his personal image, which should arguably be as important to him as corporate responsibilties imo...

It dont think it was the time factor, it was the unneccessary risk of injury.