04/10/2011
NEWS STORY
Anthony Hamilton has clarified comments made in the wake of the Singapore Grand Prix when he appeared to blame his son's management company for some of the problems the McLaren driver is encountering.
Following a difficult race which saw Lewis hit with a drive-through penalty following an incident involving Felipe Massa - the latest in a series of punishments meted out to the McLaren star this year - Hamilton Snr appeared to suggest that his son's management company, Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment, needed to do more to guide and protect the youngster.
However, speaking to the Independent, no doubt sensing that elements of the media are keen to hype the story, Anthony Hamilton was eager to clarify his comments, stressing that his son is happy with the company.
"I remain very passionate about Lewis's racing," he admitted, despite the fact that he and his son ended their business arrangement over a year ago.
"I spoke with Lewis during the week after the race," he added. "He told me that he's happy with the job that his management and Simon Fuller are doing, and as long as Lewis is happy, then I'm happy."
Despite the fact that Hamilton is a true racer, the fact is that he has been invloved in more than his fair share of incidents this season, which in turn has seen him attract the attention of the stewards.
Following the Monaco Grand Prix, in which he was hit with two drive-throughs following clashes with Pastor Maldonado and Massa - the Englishman joked that the punishments were because of his skin colour. This led to an outcry from sections of the media which has continued to be on his case, following the age old tradition of the British media... helping to build a star only to set about destroying them once they feel the time is ripe.
With the official F1 website now revealing that Massa had been ordered to "destroy" Hamilton's race in Singapore, and sensing that the McLaren driver could be beaten by his teammate in this year's championship standing, sections of the media will be looking for the slightest sign this weekend in the hope of the Englishman setting off a grudge match. Hopefully, Anthony Hamilton's comments will go some way to ensuring that they are wasting their time.