Hill on Lewis and the future of the British GP

LEWIS HAMILTON

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Wednesday 2nd July 2008

Here Ian Parkes speaks to 1996 Formula One World Champion Damon Hill ahead of the British Grand Prix on Sunday, July 6.

"There has been a little bit of a wobble of late from Lewis Hamilton, but I think it's to be expected, and nobody else can really help him.

He is on his own. It's something he has to go through, but he will pull himself through it, and he will get stronger.

It's a phase all drivers seem to go through, part of the growing process in becoming a champion.

If I could give him any advice at this particular stage, then I would go with what Ross Brawn said the other day - just focus on the driving.

There is so much that goes on beyond your control that you are wise to just focus on what you can control, and that is, how you drive, how you do your job, and the rest of it is in the lap of the gods.

And that's part of the fun and excitement because there's only so much you can control, with the rest sorted out an hour and a half after the start of a race.

Then there are the press, and they are tough. They can throw you.

At times they can be difficult to work out because you will always have a section who will regard you as a standard bearer for the country.

There will also always be the hardcore fans supporting you, and then on the other hand there will be the critical fans who will never be convinced, or who are always out to spot the weakness, and everyone has a weakness.

Everyone out there has a flaw, and they will be exposed in the arena, but it's a question of accepting no-one is perfect.

It's possible to create a perfect image, but once you get into sport you are exposed as a human being with frailties, as well as strengths.

I know there has been talk that he needs an advisor, but he has been very well prepared and advised, I presume by Ron (Dennis) and team people.

There comes a point, though, where the team can only do so much for you, and this is the curious thing about Formula One as a sport.

The idea that the driver is part of a team is a mistaken belief.

The driver is the individual all the focus goes on in an event; the team can only do so much by providing you with the equipment, and then the driver is on his own.

So there comes a point where the team will back the driver 100%, or sometimes they don't, and that's when you are alone.

Of course, he has his dad who has given him good advice throughout his career, and I'm sure there would be any number of people who would like to give advice to someone as talented as Lewis, who has so much potential.

That's when it becomes difficult because who do you turn to in a situation like that?

Clearly, it would be an enormous boost for him to win the British Grand Prix. There would be such a feel-good factor about it.

But then you know it's only a stay of execution until the next race two weeks later. You start again every time, the clock goes back to zero after you've won a race.

You don't go back to the next one as automatic victor.

As for the future of the British Grand Prix, Lewis is very important. You cannot deny that.

For any grand prix to have a homegrown hero leading the Championship is going to make a difference to the event.

But I would not presume because we have Lewis Hamilton contending for the world championship, that guarantees the future of the British Grand Prix.

Right now, I would say it is 50/50 whether we keep the race, but I am not going to assume anything when it comes to F1.

My experience is you should never make some presumptions, so it would be prudent to consider it in a 50/50 figure.

But we're definitely making progress. We've the planning consent for our pit and paddock complex, and it's one step at a time.

The negotiations typically will be ongoing and I expect won't come to a conclusion until the final hour, whenever that is.

If we're going to fulfil the building requirements then ideally we have to get going on it before the end of this year, so at this moment it's situation normal.

As to what it will cost, I can only give you a ballpark figure of �30million. That's to develop Silverstone and keep it as a premier motor sport venue,

But I am 100 per cent confident we have got what it takes, and we can deliver what F1 and the UK will be proud of."