Formula One news

Jordan: Stop nannying Hamilton

Eddie Jordan has criticised McLaren boss Ron Dennis for being too over-protective of the team's young star Lewis Hamilton. The Former F1 boss, who himself nurtured many young talented drivers on the way to stardom, believes Dennis should let his protégé embrace the media.

"Media interviews, through generating interest for fans and exposure for paying sponsors, are the lifeblood of Formula One," Jordan told F1 Racing magazine.

"So, what was Ron Dennis thinking when he stopped Lewis Hamilton doing interviews on the Melbourne and Sepang grids? Ten other drivers would gladly have done it, and all sponsors would give their right arm for a logo shown in the pre-start minutes.

"And fans certainly wanted to hear F1's new star, live. I don't understand what he was being protected from, and it'll only hurt his profile. Nobody in F1 is too important for 'trivialities' like the media. Let's get this straight: focus on technology and driving all you want, but if nobody's watching, you ain't gonna be at it for long.

"Lewis is good enough to stay focused. He doesn't need nannying. Ron should have let us have our piece: we're entitled to get to know him," he added.

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