Hamilton’s father plays down management criticism

Anthony Hamilton has tempered his recent criticism of his son’s management team.

After Lewis Hamilton returned to the headlines for the wrong reasons after Singapore, his former manager and father said F1 drivers need a proper "driver-manager" rather than "people from a company".

It was a jibe directed at Hamilton’s entertainment agent Simon Fuller, whose XIX company also handles the careers of Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham, and singer and actor Jennifer Lopez.

Anthony Hamilton has now justified his criticism by admitting he is still "very passionate" about his son’s career even though he is no longer professionally involved.

"I spoke with Lewis during the week after the (Singapore) race," he is quoted by the Independent.

"He told me that he’s happy with the job that his management and Simon Fuller are doing — and as long as Lewis is happy, then I’m happy."

Hamilton now manages Force India driver Paul di Resta, as well as the reigning kart world champion Nyck de Vries.