Quite a big difference though, because McLaren are not active in lower ranks.

Some of the flaws in Lewis Hamilton's race-driver character are McLaren's fault, team boss Martin Whitmarsh has admitted. In the wake of the 2008 world champion's controversial Melbourne weekend, where Lewis Hamilton had a brush with police and then criticised his race strategy two days later, Whitmarsh said the 25-year-old's development as a driver was a "pretty artificial existence". "We hooked up with him at 12 and looked after him," he is quoted as saying by the Telegraph. "Most of his decisions were taken for him -- in his life, in his career, in everything. "How could you become the most balanced human being when your life had just glided along? It wasn't until a year ago that, bang, real-life problems hit him," said Whitmarsh, referring to the lie-gate scandal and Hamilton's struggles with the 2009 car. Martin Whitmarsh said McLaren has learned from the Hamilton example in that an absolutely perfect preparation for F1 might not be the best option. "With Oliver Rowland, one of the kids who's now with us, we have taken him out of the top karting team and into another team, so he can experience a bit of adversity," he said. "We didn't do that with Lewis -- he had all the best equipment right through. I think what we have learned is to give them a taste of disappointment," said Martin Whitmarsh. "That was perhaps a chink in the (Hamilton) armour," he added. "The one thing you miss in all that is that you don't necessarily equip someone to make life decisions."

http://www.auto123.com/en/racing-news/f ... tid=117726

"I’m a bit worried about my stomach, but at the same time butter chicken curry is my favourite food..."

Same goes for all tin top racing then.....

Same goes for all tin top racing then.....

I agree that McLaren has not been as highly involved as Red Bull in the driver development program. Though in Lewis case McLaren has overseen his career since he started racing international karts. Even Whitmarsh has discussed this in the past.

Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger have split up.

The 26-year-old F1 racing driver - who is seven years younger than his girlfriend - decided to call time on their relationship because their conflicting work schedules meant they were seeing less and less of each other.

A friend said: 'Yes, they've split. It's a real shame because Nicole really tried to make it work.

'They are still very good friends and it was an amicable split, but they just decided it was impossible to keep the relationship going with such conflicting work schedules.'

Following the break up, Hamilton told the Daily Mail: 'I just want to move forward in a positive manner. The focus is on this season and doing the best I possibly can and getting the results on the track. I’m just keeping my mind on that.

'It never was a distraction but I am not going to take my mind off what I’ve got to do by thinking about it.'

Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger have split up.

The 26-year-old F1 racing driver - who is seven years younger than his girlfriend - decided to call time on their relationship because their conflicting work schedules meant they were seeing less and less of each other.

A friend said: 'Yes, they've split. It's a real shame because Nicole really tried to make it work.

'They are still very good friends and it was an amicable split, but they just decided it was impossible to keep the relationship going with such conflicting work schedules.'

Following the break up, Hamilton told the Daily Mail: 'I just want to move forward in a positive manner. The focus is on this season and doing the best I possibly can and getting the results on the track. I’m just keeping my mind on that.

'It never was a distraction but I am not going to take my mind off what I’ve got to do by thinking about it.'

Overseeing someone's career is very different to managing them. McLaren only made suggestions to Anthony of routes that Lewis should take, series and teams, etc... as well as some funding. If you knew Lewis as well as you are suggesting you do then you would know that prior to 2005 Anthony briefly ended Lewis' involvement with McLaren because of a difference of opinion. McLaren wanted Lewis to do a second season of EuroF3 whereas Anthony and Lewis wanted to do GP2.