Lewis Hamilton’s decision to dump his father and sign up with a celebrity management company was “a disaster”.<\/p>\n
That is the view of F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, speaking after arguably the worst season in the 2008 world champion’s entire motor racing career.<\/p>\n
He said the 26-year-old Briton’s “personal problems” in 2011 – including his split with girlfriend Nicole – were exacerbated by the absence of his former manager and father.<\/p>\n
Anthony Hamilton, in charge of his son’s career until early 2010, now manages the Force India driver Paul di Resta.<\/p>\n
“A lot to do with these things, it depends an awful lot on the people you surround yourself with, and who are in a position to influence you,” said Ecclestone.<\/p>\n
“I think he just fell into a lot of people that I think weren’t good for him,” the 81-year-old told the Guardian.<\/p>\n
“When his dad was looking after him, his dad was a bit more … obviously it didn’t suit Lewis, which was why they split, I think he didn’t appreciate how much help his dad was,” said Ecclestone.<\/p>\n
After the split with his father, Hamilton linked up with XIX Entertainment, the company headed by Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s a disaster,” said Ecclestone.\u00a0 “He gets to meet people that probably he wouldn’t have met, and (who) have probably the wrong sort of influence on him.”<\/p>\n
He mentions Ice-T, the rapper who made a controversial video inside the McLaren garage in Canada this year.<\/p>\n
“He (Hamilton) sees somebody like that, he admires the guy, so he’ll start copying a little bit what they’re up to,” said Ecclestone.<\/p>\n
British commentator and former McLaren driver Martin Brundle agrees that Hamilton needs to get his “mindset” right after a calamitous 2011 season.<\/p>\n
“Any sport is 90 per cent in the head.\u00a0 That’s what he needs to get right,” he is quoted by The Fun.<\/p>\n
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