It is not just letting his team down that Whitmarsh believes is acting as a
distraction to the 2008 world champion. While Hamilton’s run of under par
results has continued, his team-mate Jenson Button has gone from strength to
strength and currently sits second in a championship already won by
Sebastian Vettel.
Button is 38 points clear of Hamilton and with just two races remaining, this
season stands to be the first time the latter will finish behind a
team-mate.
When asked what impact this would have on Hamilton, Whitmarsh added: “He’s
very analytical, he’s very serious about trying to do the best job he can.
He’s much too hard on himself.
“I’ve known Lewis for a long, long time and he’s been like it since he
was a kartist and he would beat up on himself. That’s his way. That’s his
psychology. That’s how he motivates himself.”
With regard to how the issue between Hamilton and Massa may or may not be
resolved, Whitmarsh said the pair needed to sort it out between themselves.
“They’re young drivers but they’re not that young. They’re men. I have
discussed it with Ferrari but I think it’s got to come from them. If I
arranged for the two of them to shake hands outside the garage you would all
take a picture and have a laugh about it.
“I think Felipe is under enormous pressure within that team and that causes
him to react. And in truth Lewis will be feeling under pressure because of
the great performance of Jenson at the moment.
“But a staged handshake… you don’t want that, unless it’s to take the mickey
out of it. They’ve got to sort it out themselves.”