Hamilton remains focused

McLaren ace insists he is not about to go off the rails

Last updated: 11th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hamilton remains focused

Hamilton: With his father Anthony

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Lewis Hamilton insists he will not go off the rails just because he no longer has his father and former boss Ron Dennis to guide him.

Hamilton announced a parting of the ways from his dad Anthony as his manager ahead of the new season in a bid to build their relationship away from the sport.

The news came almost a year after Hamilton lost the guiding hand of McLaren team principal Dennis in the wake of the 'lie-gate' scandal.

Dennis had acted as Hamilton's mentor since signing him as a 13-year-old for McLaren's driver development programme.

And although Hamilton will launch his bid to regain the world title without the same previous support, the 25-year-old insists he can handle the situation - and won't be about to go 'wild'.

"When I arrived in the sport, I didn't go out and buy a million different cars, I took my time," he said.

"Maybe I might buy one car this year, and I might go to one more Amber Lounge (post-race) party this year than I did last year. Who knows? But that's not being wild.

"I've still the same guy, I race for the same team and I've still the same dedication and determination.

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"I don't think you should try and change something that works. My style, my approach, has always worked for me, and I tend to keep it that way."

Although Dennis may have left McLaren, Hamilton claims that their relationship has grown - and the 2008 champion is expecting a similar situation to occur with his father.

"When Ron stepped back, nothing really changed. We've still a good relationship, and if anything it has actually grown," remarked Hamilton.

"Rather than a stressed, thoughtful boss thinking about the job and always giving you advice, now he just gives an opinion.

"He is so relaxed now, and I think it will probably be the same with my dad.

"Inevitably, with my dad taking a step back, I will have to make some more decisions for myself.

"But then I've always been able to do that anyway. For example, I chose where I wanted to live, although I still hope to be guided in the same way."