Damon Hill has warned Lewis Hamilton that victory in the British Grand Prix would be nothing more than "a stay of execution" from the pressures of fighting for the Formula One world title.
The 23-year-old is currently experiencing what Hill describes as "a wobble" after failing to score a point in his last two grands prix.
Mistakes and penalties have seriously harmed his world championship chances, leaving him 10 points adrift of Felipe Massa in a four-way scrap for the title.
Hamilton has also become embroiled in a row with the media, opting to direct his frustrations towards them after he was criticised for crashing into the back of Kimi Raikkonen at 30mph in the pit lane in Canada.
It was hardly the ideal preparation for the French Grand Prix in which he suffered a drive-through penalty that robbed him of the chance of a points finish.
With his home race fast approaching, Hamilton cannot afford to fall further behind the Ferrari duo of Massa and Raikkonen, as well as BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica.
In front of a sell-out 90,000 crowd, Hamilton will be under intense pressure to deliver, but Hill has urged him to simply focus on what he does best.
"There has been a little bit of a wobble of late from Lewis, but I think it's to be expected," said Hill, president of the British Racing Drivers' Club, who own Silverstone.
"Nobody else can really help him. He is on his own. It's something he has to go through, but he will pull himself through it, and he will get stronger.
"It's a phase all drivers seem to go through, part of the growing process in becoming a champion.
"As for any advice, I would go with what (Honda boss) Ross Brawn said the other day - just focus on the driving.
"There is so much that goes on beyond your control you are wise to just focus on what you can control, and that is how you drive, how you do your job, and the rest of it is in the lap of the Gods.
"Clearly, it would be an enormous boost for him to win the British Grand Prix.
"There would be such a feelgood factor about a British driver winning his home race, and especially for Lewis who is trying to fight for the championship.
"But you know it's only a stay of execution until the next race two weeks later because you start again every time.
"The clock goes back to zero after you've won a race. You don't go back to the next one as automatic victor."
Hill, though, feels a win would at least help Hamilton mature and become a better driver due to the experience he would gain from it.
"Every driver thinks they are the best they can be," added Hill
"But there is something about experience which builds them into a formidable driver, one who can take all the knocks as they go on, and so make them stronger.
"Every driver when they first start has confidence, talent, speed, and all the rest of it.
"It's the scrutiny and pressure, whether or not you can take that part of it, and you can't learn about that until you get there.
"So you are in a learning process all the time, and that's where you can start to worry, but I wouldn't.
"Racing drivers are people who overcome difficulties - they have to in order to just be in contention for a Formula One drive."
Hill's primary concern, though, is ensuring the British Grand Prix retains its place on the F1 calendar beyond the expiry of its current contract after next year's race.
Plans were recently approved for a new Ј30million pit and paddock complex, but negotiations remain ongoing with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone with regard to a new deal.
"We're definitely making progress," insisted Hill.
"Typically, negotiations will be ongoing and I expect won't come to a conclusion until the final hour, whenever that is.
"But I am 100% confident we have what it takes, and we can deliver what F1 and the UK will be proud of."
No comments:
Post a Comment