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Hamilton suffering without a manager, says Coulthard

ESPNF1 Staff
March 30, 2010 « Schumacher 'taking positives' | »
David Coulthard says Lewis Hamilton needs a reassuring arm around his shoulder © Sutton Images
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Lewis Hamilton's form is suffering because he does not have the reassuring advice of a manager, according to David Coulthard.

The McLaren driver made the headlines in Melbourne after he was stopped by police late on Friday for driving in an "over-exuberant" manner on the city streets. He then openly criticised his team for compromising his race with an unnecessary second pit stop.

"Where is the reassuring arm around his shoulder? Where is the sound advice coming from? Where is his father?" said Coulthard in his column for the Daily Telegraph.

Hamilton announced last month that father Anthony was stepping down as his manager to focus on his own business interests. And Coulthard says the 2008 champion should have moved quickly to replace him.

"Lewis's decision to dispense with Anthony's services as his manager last month was hailed as a coming-of-age move on his part. But the folly of not appointing a replacement showed over the weekend.

"Having no manager is like a top tennis player having no coach. It's fine when you are playing well but as soon as you are struggling people will point to it as a weakness. Either way, Lewis needs to appoint a replacement soon so he can concentrate on his day job."

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