Lewis Hamilton Needs New Manager, Father Says

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Troubled Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony suggested his son needed a change of management to help him break free of the problems that have beset him in 2011.

Hamilton finished a brilliant fifth at Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix after racing through the field from 19th, but came under fire afterwards from Brazilian rival Felipe Massa for causing a needless collision.

That cost the Ferrari driver a puncture and wrecked his race while Hamilton, of McLaren, had to pit for a broken nose and take a drive-through penalty that ruined his challenge for victory.

Massa pushed and insulted Hamilton in a confrontation in front of television cameras after the race as the Briton was once again in the spotlight for the wrong reasons despite a brilliant drive.

His father Anthony, now manager of fellow Briton Paul di Resta who drove to his career best finish of sixth for Force India, said his son was missing the presence of a manager with him at races.

Hamilton sacked his father, who guided him from karting to F1, from the job early this year.

Hamilton senior on Monday said: "Unfortunately, that issue in this race was an aggressive Lewis issue. It was a misjudgment. He didn't go diving down the inside and wipe someone out. He just got it wrong. What can you say?

"You look up and down the pit-lane and every driver, except for Lewis, has a driver-manager in his life -- not people from a company.

"I am sure his management are very good -- I don't know -- but Formula One drivers need people personally involved in the drivers' lives because it is a big pressure.

"They have got to be here and I don't think you can do the job by sending someone else. I don't know any other driver-manager who sends someone else to do the job.

"You sign up a Formula One driver, so come and do your job. No disrespect to anybody, but that's how this business is. I have seen Lewis and he is fine. It is hard right now but he will come back, there is no doubt about that."

Hamilton raced in 2010 without a manager, but signed up with the Simon Fuller agency XIX in March this year.

This season he has won two races and been involved in a spate of accidents and controversies.

He is fifth in the championship with 168 points, well behind champion-elect German Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull on 309 with five races remaining.