MOTOR SPORT:Lewis Hamilton has to keep his nerve, avoid making unforced errors and deliver more of the same over the remaining five rounds of the world championship if he is to become the first rookie to win the drivers' title. This was the verdict of the former champions Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda yesterday as the controversy over the espionage scandal mounted.
"Lewis needs to try and put those concerns behind him as he concentrates on the job in hand," said Stewart who won three championships in 1969, 1971 and 1973.
"His main priority over the remaining five races is to keep putting away the points and apply strong mind management to the business of finishing races. Lewis is obviously in a potentially very strong position as the McLaren MP4-22 is a very strong and reliable car, so he needs to capitalise on that potential performance advantage as intensely as possible. He must avoid making impetuous errors which could turn out to be his biggest problem. He's got to push, but not push too hard."
Lauda agrees with Stewart. "From the very start of Lewis's formula one career I've been simply amazed over just how mature and assured he has been," said the Austrian, champion in 1975, 1977 and 1984.
"The guy has clearly got the talent to finish the job he's started and clinch the world championship in his first year." However, Lauda sent a warning that Hamilton needs to avoid becoming distracted, particularly by pressure from his more experienced team-mate, Fernando Alonso.
Free practice at the Monza circuit yesterday developed into the customary battle between Ferrari and McLaren as Alonso just pipped Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, with Hamilton back in fourth place.
