Former world champion Damon Hill has advised McLaren boss Ron
Dennis to relax and enjoy the show of his two drivers scrapping for
the Formula One title, rather than try to control their
behaviour.
McLaren have won the last three grands prix, with British rookie
Lewis Hamilton now 10 points clear of double world champion team
mate Fernando Alonso after seven races.
With Hamilton's astonishing success have come reports of
friction between the two drivers, with the team accused by the
media of trying to muzzle them to prevent the war of words from
escalating.
Hill, the 1996 champion with Williams, said McLaren -- who have
emphasised repeatedly that both drivers have equal status -- should
let the two be themselves.
"Racing drivers like to race and they don't like being told what
to do," the Briton told reporters on Tuesday in a briefing for the
British Grand Prix which follows this weekend's race in France.
"They are there for themselves. I think that has to be
respected."
"I think Ron wants a perfect ending and he wants it all to be
harmonious. I can understand that," added the Briton.
"I think he thinks that trouble is created from outside and
injected into the camp with an attempt to upset things.
"But some things are impossible to control and the best thing to
do would be to just enjoy it.
"Ron's done his bit. He's 60 years old, he's just done
incredible things really and he's created an incredible team and
he's got the two most incredible drivers." HAMILTON FAVOURITE
Hill said Hamilton, 22, was his favourite for the title because
he had the wind behind him and was doing everything right on and
off the track.
Asked whether the Briton had the killer instinct, the former
champion who now serves as president of the British Racing Drivers'
Club replied simply: "You can kill people with kindness.
"I think Alonso is punching at shadows. He can't really find
anything to grab on to."
Hill likened Alonso to a proud Spanish bullfighter and cautioned
that the 25-year-old could be expected to show his fighting spirit
at Magny-Cours.
"Now I think we are going to see the interesting bit," he said.
"Lewis is incredible and there's no question about that but I don't
think that Fernando Alonso is going to just evaporate.
"It will be very interesting to see what happens in France."
(China Daily via Reuters June 27, 2007)