Now, I don’t know the ins and outs of Lewis’s set-up with XIX Entertainment, I
can only speak from my own personal experience, but I agree with Anthony’s
general point.
In Formula One you are part of a large travelling circus and yet you are often
alone. You go from the intense highs and lows of the action on track — the
fierce concentration required in the cockpit faced with the ever-present
threat of clear and present danger — to the quiet and loneliness of another
faceless hotel.
The constant international travel, the different time zones, the length of
time you are away, the intensity of the experience; it all adds up.
I employed Martin Brundle as my manager not simply because I’m a Scot and I
knew I wouldn’t have to pay him to be at the races because he was there
anyway, but because I knew that everything I was going through he had been
through as well.
Martin knew how it worked; the engineering side, the media side, who the
protagonists were; he understood what I was experiencing on and off the
track. We were, and are, friends. That is hugely important.
There are so many distractions in Formula One and it is all about focusing on
the bits you need to focus on and relaxing when you can.
Small things can put you off your stride. I spoke with Lewis before the race
on Sunday on behalf of a sponsor and he was brilliant; professional,
engaging and with that star quality we all know he has.
But beforehand the sponsor wanted to prep me for the interview and tell me
which areas to avoid, which areas to mention. I had to stop them and say
‘Don’t worry. I know how this works. I know what he will and will not want
to talk about hours before a race.’
If I had been someone who wasn’t well-versed in Formula One, perhaps it would
have led to unnecessary tension. I don’t know.
Listen, Lewis’s set-up may well be the best for him and I’m sure he decides
how he wants it set up in terms of who accompanies him to races. I’m just
saying what worked for me and that was having someone I trusted and knew
with me at all times.
It doesn’t have to be a manager necessarily, but for me it must be someone
fighting your corner because everyone can be your best friend and do the
chest-bumping when the times are good. It is when they aren’t that you need
someone to be able to sit down and talk to you with complete honesty. To
tell you you’re being an idiot.
Your team are one thing but ultimately their allegiance is to the team. When
times are tough what you need is a friend.