Hamilton gets boss backing
Give Hamilton a break, says Dennis
By Pete Oliver Last updated: 3rd July 2008
McClaren team boss Ron Dennis has defended Lewis Hamilton's recent poor record as he prepares for his home Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Hamilton is languishing fourth in the drivers' championship after two successive pointless races, not helped by a 10-place grid penalty imposed for driving into the back of Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari in Canada.
But Dennis insists that Hamilton should not be judged too harshly in only his second season in Formula One.
"It's one of those things. You've got to put it behind you and focus on the next race. Most people don't really appreciate how difficult the drivers' workload is," said Dennis.
"It doesn't matter what age you are, you're always going to learn. Lewis is no exception. He puts a lot of effort into understanding the car better, working closer with the team, and maintaining the same balanced approach to his racing and his life as a whole.
"Inevitably, the learning curve for him is steeper now than it will be in two or three years' time. But he's really risen to the challenge and he's a very completed individual and a very complete racing driver. It's a pleasure to work with him."
Hamilton is 10 points behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa going into Sunday's British Grand Prix - the ninth race in the championship.
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