Highlights

Relax and enjoy the show, Hill tells McLaren boss

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-27 10:32

Former world champion Damon Hill has advised McLaren boss Ron Dennis to relax and enjoy the show of his two drivers scrapping for the Formula One title, rather than try to control their behaviour.

McLaren have won the last three grands prix, with British rookie Lewis Hamilton now 10 points clear of double world champion team mate Fernando Alonso after seven races.

With Hamilton's astonishing success have come reports of friction between the two drivers, with the team accused by the media of trying to muzzle them to prevent the war of words from escalating.

Hill, the 1996 champion with Williams, said McLaren -- who have emphasised repeatedly that both drivers have equal status -- should let the two be themselves.

"Racing drivers like to race and they don't like being told what to do," the Briton told reporters on Tuesday in a briefing for the British Grand Prix which follows this weekend's race in France.

"They are there for themselves. I think that has to be respected."

"I think Ron wants a perfect ending and he wants it all to be harmonious. I can understand that," added the Briton.

"I think he thinks that trouble is created from outside and injected into the camp with an attempt to upset things.

"But some things are impossible to control and the best thing to do would be to just enjoy it.

"Ron's done his bit. He's 60 years old, he's just done incredible things really and he's created an incredible team and he's got the two most incredible drivers." HAMILTON FAVOURITE

Hill said Hamilton, 22, was his favourite for the title because he had the wind behind him and was doing everything right on and off the track.

Asked whether the Briton had the killer instinct, the former champion who now serves as president of the British Racing Drivers' Club replied simply: "You can kill people with kindness.

"I think Alonso is punching at shadows. He can't really find anything to grab on to."

Hill likened Alonso to a proud Spanish bullfighter and cautioned that the 25-year-old could be expected to show his fighting spirit at Magny-Cours.

"Now I think we are going to see the interesting bit," he said. "Lewis is incredible and there's no question about that but I don't think that Fernando Alonso is going to just evaporate.

"It will be very interesting to see what happens in France."