Button the lip, Hamilton warned

LEWIS HAMILTON must not become embroiled in a war of words with his Formula One title rivals if he is to be crowned world champion, according to leading psychologists.

Pressure has been piled on to the 22-year-old Briton after he crashed out of last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix and lost his chance to close out the driver’ title race.

The McLaren rookie now has just a four-point lead to take to Interlagos in Brazil for the final race of the season on October 21.

Hamilton’s exceptional driving talent has at times been overshadowed this season by off-the-track controversies, and in particular his spat with Spanish team-mate and reigning world champion Fernando Alonso — his nearest rival for the title.

But Cary Cooper, Professor of Psychology and Health at Lancaster University and an expert in occupational stress, insists he must shun further slanging matches over the next fortnight.

“He mustn’t play any hype games with anyone else. Just forget it,” he said.

“People might say certain things that would upset him and he just doesn’t want to hear any of that.”

That view was echoed by leading sports psychologist Andy Barton, who has worked with a host of leading sporting figures, including professional racing drivers.

“John McEnroe is one of the very few sports people who improved performance by getting heated up, it’s a very rare thing,” he said.

“But probably it is best to avoid it and concentrate on what you’re doing, not what other people are doing.”

Barton is confident, though, that Hamilton’s sheer self-belief will be enough to make sure that he does not crack when the pressure is cranked up in Brazil.

“He reminds me of Tiger Woods in terms of the way he approaches it, he seems very grounded and focused,” Barton said. “You can tell by people’s body language whether they believe what they say.”

Meanwhile Fernando Alonso has launched a scathing attack on McLaren and team boss Ron Dennis, claiming once again the team are “never going to be favourable” towards him.

The back-to-back world champion feels the team have given preferential to Hamilton.

Alonso said: “We are going to try to make the impossible possible. But I know the team are never going to be favourable towards me.”

Alonso also stepped up his personal feud with Dennis, blaming him for the team’s off-track problems this year and hinting that he has struggled to get on with drivers at McLaren in the past.

“He (Ron Dennis) is behind many of the scandals McLaren have been involved in off the track this year,” Alonso said.

“I have spoken a lot with (David) Coulthard, (Juan Pablo) Montoya, Kimi (Raikkonen). They have all left the team and found a lot of happiness. There must be a reason.”