sport motorsport formulaone lewishamilton 7535629 ----- # David Coulthard: Lewis Hamilton needs a father figure in troubled times ## Something is not quite right with Lewis Hamilton. That much is clear after an eventful weekend in Australia saw McLaren's former world champion once again held up to intense public scrutiny. ![Lewis Hamilton][1] Troubled times: David Coulthard says former world champion Lewis Hamilton needs a father figure to help him during these trying times Photo: REUTERS By David Coulthard 7:00AM BST 30 Mar 2010 [Comments][2] **[Hamilton's][3]** brush with the law last Friday was followed by a poor qualifying session on Saturday. And even though he drove brilliantly in Sunday's race he then lost his rag with his team for bringing him in for a second pit-stop and a change of tyres when his near rivals made only one stop. His behaviour was in stark contrast to that of his team-mate Jenson Button, who reigned serene in Melbourne, and it just strikes me that something is amiss. All sorts of questions arise from the incident when Hamilton was stopped by the Melbourne police. What has happened to Lewis' relationship with his father? Why was he in such a "distressed" state on Saturday? Come to that, why did everyone get so worked up about it all in the first place? I know I'll get accused of being irresponsible here, but I really don't see the big deal about Lewis indulging in a little burnout for the fans. In my view, the reaction to what was essentially a minor incident was completely over the top. I understand the road-safety issue, but Lewis is one of the best drivers on this planet. There is no one I would trust more to burn a bit of rubber and keep the car under perfect control. ## Related Articles * [Button: best is yet to come][4] 30 Mar 2010 * [Webber 'undermined' campaign][5] 29 Mar 2010 * [Rain adds spice to F1][6] 29 Mar 2010 * [Police grab 'boy racer' Hamilton][7] 27 Mar 2010 * [Hamilton rues second stop][8] 28 Mar 2010 A minor slap on the wrist would have sufficed, although it would have been even more constructive to commit him to some sort of road safety project in Melbourne schools for next year. Impounding his car and releasing statements as to his poor character helped no one. Then there was Lewis's own reaction. We all awoke to pictures on Saturday morning of Lewis sheltering behind his trainer, Clayton Green, in the car as if he had something to hide. It looked to me like he was scared of the opprobrium that he sensed would follow. I have seen Lewis grow up and the young man I know is not only a brilliant driver but a streetwise, well-rounded character. His startled, anxious response to both the lying scandal he was caught up in last year -- which was in no way his fault -- and now this have been out of all proportion. Where is the reassuring arm around his shoulder? Where is the sound advice coming from? Where is his father? 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. I don't know if they have had a bust-up but it does strike me as odd that apparently they did not speak to one another in the aftermath of Friday's incident. Either way, Lewis needs to appoint a replacement soon so he can concentrate on his day job. One final point. I notice I have been criticised in some quarters for being biased towards Red Bull during the BBC's coverage on Sunday. I take exception to that. I am not lying when I say they have the quickest car out there. They should be winning these races. That they are not is a worry for everyone at Milton Keynes. A car without reliability is like a golfer who has the biggest drive on earth but who cannot actually get the ball in the hole. Sebastian Vettel is so far remaining calm -- at least publicly -- as he knows he has been the quickest car and driver combination in the opening two races and it is easier to make a quick car reliable than a reliable car quick. But Red Bull need to sort it out before it's too late. [![][9]][10] **David Coulthard is writing on behalf of Red Bull Racing, for whom he acts as a consultant. 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