Tuesday 24th June 2008
McLaren boss Ron Dennis is convinced Formula One's wheel of fortune will again turn in the direction of Lewis Hamilton.
For the first time in his 25 grands prix F1 career, Hamilton has now failed to score in two consecutive races, leaving France pointless on Sunday a fortnight after his costly mistake in Canada.
Naturally, the mood in the McLaren brand centre post-race at Magny-Cours was quiet and sombre, in stark contrast to the celebrity-laden, party atmosphere that dominated in the wake of his stirring Monaco Grand Prix triumph a month ago.
That now appears light years away, with Hamilton all of a sudden 10 points adrift of new Championship leader Felipe Massa following the Brazilian's third triumph of the season, and eighth of his career.
In the wake of a dubious penalty handed down by the stewards, Hamilton hinted he is beginning feel picked on.
The 10-place grid penalty for driving into the back of Kimi Raikkonen in the pit lane in Montreal was taken on the chin, even if there were murmurings it was a little harsh.
But the drive-through-penalty for apparently gaining an advantage in overtaking Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel on lap one, did not go down well, and undoubtedly denied Hamilton a shot at the points as he could only finish 10th.
If the sporting gods are being unkind on Hamilton at present, that is far from a concern for Dennis who insisted: "It's not a worry. It is motor-racing.
"He had a dream start to his career and so there's a lot of expectation on Lewis, but you have to remember it is still only his second season.
"There are many drivers who spend several years in Formula One before winning their first grand prix, so he is well ahead of the game.
"He is super-quick, super-focused, highly motivated, and he knows the ups and downs of motor-racing are always going to exist, and when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
"We are a strong racing team that is more than capable of winning more races this season, and more than capable of catching up and overtaking those cars in front of us, and that's what we are going to concentrate on doing."
As if to remind everyone of just how quickly a situation can turn, Dennis added: "I seem to remember having a 12-point lead with two races to go last season, so there is a long way to go."
That was reference to Hamilton who appeared to have the title in the bag, only to lose out by a point to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh remarked that Hamilton's critics are too quick to point an accusing finger.
"Lewis, up until the weekend, had done 24 races and scored more points than any other driver in that period," said Whitmarsh.
"If that's error prone then that's a little bit harsh.
"I think there is a tremendous spotlight and pressure on him and you always notice errors closer to the front than at the back.
"We are a top team and he is a top driver, and you have to expect criticism if you don't come up to the expectation of your fans.
"If you are going to try and lead in the sport as a team or as a racing driver, you set high expectations of yourself and that's placed with your fans, and they are going to reflect that upon you.
"He knows that, we know that, and when people stop talking about us then we know we are not competitive enough."
Hamilton could not have a better venue at which to make his detractors eat their words than at Silverstone, and the British Grand Prix, in a fortnight's time.
Whitmarsh is convinced the fighter within Hamilton will emerge, adding: "Lewis will be determined at every race, and he will be extra determined at Silverstone.
"We have had a nightmare start to the season and he is 10 points away from leading the Drivers' Championship.
"That can swing in one weekend, and that's the frame of mind you have to have when you go into this. He has to believe he can win in Britain and come out on equal points."
No comments:
Post a Comment