Lewis Hamilton management team must do more, says father Anthony

Lewis Hamilton needs more support from his management team, according to the McLaren star's father Anthony

The 2008 world champion clashed with Ferrari's Felipe Massa during a frustrating weekend in Singapore in the latest of a number of high-profile incidents this season.

Hamilton had been managed by his father since childhood before taking on Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment this year.

"His management need to do more," Hamilton's father told BBC Sport.

Asked whether Hamilton needed another manager, his father replied: "What I will say is look up the paddock; every driver that's got a driver manager, the manager is here [in Singapore] and in the driver's life."

BBC Sport understands that Hamilton makes race-by-race decisions on whether he needs his management team to attend the grands prix.

There was no member of Hamilton's management team in Singapore but Hamilton is understood to be happy with the relationship he has built with the company, which also looks after footballer David Beckham and tennis player Andy Murray.

Hamilton's father was instrumental in guiding Hamilton into Formula 1 but the two split in March after a rocky period.

The two are now on good terms but Hamilton announced in March that he would join Fuller's stable of clients.

When asked whether the McLaren team needed to offer more support to their de facto number one driver, team principal Martin Whitmarsh told BBC Sport: "Lewis is having plenty of love from the team. I've known him since he was 11 and there's affection between us and many other members of the team.

"Undeniably this has not been a good year for Lewis Hamilton. He'll regroup as there are five more races and he'll try to win them and try to win the championship next year."

Hamilton clashed with Massa in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix as he tried a move around the outside of Turn Seven on lap 10.

The McLaren driver turned into Massa, breaking part of his front wing, while Massa was forced to limp back to the pits with a right rear puncture.

"It was a genuine mistake," said Hamilton's father. "I don't think there was any premeditation or any other issue with it.

"He was pushing hard, trying to catch up to where he was. I think this one just caught him out.

"I think it's unfortunate that he got a drive-through for it, which is typical - he would get a drive-through wouldn't he?

"If you look at the replay, he locked up a brake as he turns in and just catches Massa's car.

"He didn't turn the steering wheel [and think] I'm going to hit your back wheel and give you a puncture. That wasn't what he did.

"I just think a little bit of common sense needs to prevail."

Source: BBC Sports

Kimi Räikkönen: Touching farewell

Matti "Masa" Räikkönen was laid to rest

Formula One driver Kimi Räikkönen's father has already been buried.

Matti Räikkönen died suddenly just before Christmas on 22 December. He died at 56 years old. The sad news hit the Formula One family just in the middle of Christmas preparations.

Räikkönen's blessing was delivered recently and there were only a few fellow men present.

The man's obituary was published on Sunday in Helsingin Sanomat. Kimi or his relatives have not commented on his passing.

The death occurred while Kimi was with his wife Jenni Dahlman-Räikkönen in Finland.

Matti Räikkönen's obituary was published on Sunday in Helsingin Sanomat.

Source: Iltalehti
Courtesy: sleenster

Räikkönen considers career after father's death

Kimi Räikkönen has ceased talks about his plans for the 2011 season following the death of his father Matti.

The major Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reports that the grief-stricken 31-year-old, who was reportedly considering switching teams for the next world rally championship, may even call time on his racing career.

Räikkönen was reportedly very close with his father, a road builder, who supported his sons' careers from an early age and died suddenly at the age of 56 two days before Christmas.

"Since the death of Matti Räikkönen, all the plans (of Kimi Räikkönen) are on ice," confirmed the Finn's rally co-driver Kaj Lindström.

He added: "Let's hope he stays in rallying. The chances of success are much better in the second year than the first, because you don't have to be learning all sorts of things all of the time."

Source: Motorsport

Kimi's late father Matti gave all he got on the behalf of his sons

Thursday, 23.12.2010 at 13.23

Kimi Räikkönen's dad Matti Räikkönen didn't spare himself in supporting his sons's hobby.

The aim of the family was not professional however, it all started as a hobby and progressed on the conditions of Rami and Kimi. The same spirit was also maintained throughout Kimi's whole magnificent career.

- I watched sometimes the dads in karting who were trying to live their dreams through their children. It was sad to see how the dads sweared and shouted at children who failed criticizing them for mistakes. It felt bad that the whole thing lacked fun and good spirit, Matti told Iltalehti in 2008.

- The boys' hobby started by driving in the yard until it resembled a field of potatoes. After that we switched to micro cars.

In the same interview Matti told that that the races in the beginning were far from glamorous.

- Us dads took our sons to karting from for example Stockholm to Lake Garda in Italy. We travelled 2 500 kilometers in a big hurry. We only stopped to go to the toilet. In the beginning we had our own lunches because the food was expensive in gas stations and it took too much time. Drivers took turns.

Kim's extraordinary talents in motorsport became clear early on.

- Kimi would win even if he would drive a scooter, his father summed up during his second national rally in 2009.

At that time he said he had already withdrawn aside from Kimi's career. He told that he concentrates more on the "maintenance guy's jobs".

- For the last few years I've only been in Monaco and Spa. In the past more often. I have so much to do in the garden, he laughed at the time.

Matti Räikkönen was often asked how he deals with the fear that his son's dangerous profession including tough risks causes.

- I don't feel fear but of course I follow every race nervously. Anything can happen. Kimi's car has had problems for five years so I have had to get used to failures, he told.

The father often had to respond to questions about his son's cutting-edge persona.

- I think it is right to stick to authenticity. I think the same way myself: if I'm not good enough as I am then I don't have to be good enough at all, his dad summed up.

IL

Courtesy: Nicole

Kimi Räikkönen's father died suddenly

Kimi Räikkönen's father had died, 56 years old

Kimi Räikkönen's dad Matti Räikkönen, 56, died suddenly on Wednesday.

The sad news hit the whole big Räikkönen-family who were preparing to spend Christmas.

Kimi Räikkönen has spent a longer time in Finland already.

The family who is crushed by grief doesn't want to comment it in any way.

Riku Kuvaja believes and hopes and the media will respect the relatives' sorrow and pain.

- We got the sad news yesterday, Kuvaja tells Ilta-Sanomat.

- A thing like this especially during Christmas is an extremely tough thing especially for the relatives.

Source: Ilta-Sanomat
Courtesy: Nicole

Hamilton dedicates win to father

Following the chaos which was the Red Bull collision and subsequent aftermath in Turkey on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton enjoyed his first race victory of the season, crossing the line ahead of team-mate Jenson Button before dedicating his first victory since Singapore last year to father and former Manager Anthony.

After being able to crucially split the Red Bull pair in qualifying, Hamilton lost second place to Sebastian Vettel at the first corner before retaking the position just moments later, following leader Webber until dropping to third courtesy of a pit-stop problem.

"It was quite exciting, actually!" Hamilton said in the post-race press conference. "We had good race pace; we knew we would be able to stay with the Red Bulls but they're so fast in Turn 8, so it's difficult to slipstream, but otherwise I was on Mark's tail. I had a little problem at the pit-stop, so it was double trouble."

Having seen the Red Bulls go off in front of him, Hamilton then fended off Button in their own inter-team scrap just seven laps later.

"I'm not sure what happened with these guys but me and Jenson had a good little battle and fortunately was able to come back into Turn 1," Lewis continued, having also had to monitor his fuel levels. "It was definitely unexpected but a great result for the team.

"I want to dedicate this win to my dad, it's his 50th birthday tomorrow, so a perfect way for him to celebrate it.

"We were pushing very hard with the Red Bulls and it was a combination of looking after brakes and tyres - Turn 8 was a killer - and also looking after fuel, so it was difficult to know how much fuel to save."

Source: GP Update

Kimi is like a different person now

Räikkönen's dad on transfer to rally: Kimi is like a different person now

Rally-driver Kimi Räikkönen's dad Matti Räikkönen is pleased with his son's decision to transfer from F1 to rally.

- Kimi's smile is completely different than in his F1-time, a lot more open. He can now be among the sport he takes interest in. I have liked this decision a lot, Matti Räikkönen tells MTV3.fi's entertainment news.

Although Kimi's beginning in rally has not went the best way, dad-Räikkönen believes that better times lie ahead.

- Of course it would be more interesting to watch him drive if he stayed on the road. But he sure has also driven some darn good times. I believe that it will eventually get better.

Source: MTV3
Courtesy: Leijona Planet-F1

KIMI'S FATHER WANTS GRANDCHILDREN

Rallydriver Kimi Räikkönen's father Matti Räikkönen loves to spend time with his grandchildren. So far only his eldest son Rami has children.

When father-Räikkönen was asked if he wishes grandchildren from his youngest son too, he gets excited.

– Well why not. That would be great. Hopefully he can at least practice well, Räikkönen laughs to MTV3.

According to Matti Räikkönen the family's life hasn't much changed after Kimi moved to rally from F1. The parents might though meet him more often than earlier though.

– I will definitely go to Finland's WRC-rally in Jyväskylä and I might even go to some rally abroad too, he thinks.

According to his own words Matti sees Kimi only when the busy young man has time to come to Finland.

– The last time I saw him was during Hankiralli. I haven't yet had time to visit their new home in Zug but my wife Papu has been there, Räikkönen told about the house Kimi bought in summer 2009.

Source: MTV3
Courtesy: Nicole Planet-F1

Hamilton more relaxed without father as manager

Lewis Hamilton has revealed it "feels good" to be standing on his own two feet as he kicks off his fourth season in formula one this weekend.

The 25-year-old has always been accompanied to races by his father, but after ending his managerial ties to Anthony Hamilton, the McLaren driver is also without his girlfriend or brother in the island Kingdom.

"It definitely feels different," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail, "but it feels good. I've probably had the most relaxed couple of days I've ever had."

When it was pointed out that teammate Jenson Button's father John is a constant presence in the paddock, Hamilton answered: "Yeah, but his dad's not his manager.

"The chemistry between those two is completely different. That's the chemistry I want," the Briton added.

Source: F1 Complete