02/11/2008
NEWS STORY
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has a reputation as a bit of a jonah, and deservedly so.
Rather than list the many individuals and companies he has appeared to jinx, the 'Brown effect' is best summed up by this recent comment in The Times, in the wake of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the shock event which appeared to kick-start the ongoing global financial crisis:
...the writing was on the wall for Lehmans after they moved to Docklands and got Gordon Brown, whose presence at any sporting event seems to guarantee a home team defeat, to open the new building for them. He performed the same function at the new Gresham Street HQ of Dresdner Kleinwort. They went under a few weeks ago.
Therefore, Felipe Massa might take comfort from the fact that Brown has given his full support to title rival Lewis Hamilton ahead of today's Brazilian Grand Prix.
"Lewis Hamilton is a hero to so many young people in Britain," Brown told reporters during a visit to the UAE. "I think he will be a great world champion. He just missed out last year. I think everybody will be rooting for him today."