Nigel Mansell Slams Lewis Hamilton

Former British Formula One champion Nigel Mansell has slammed Lewis Hamilton and has called on the British driver to show maturity, Lewis has been the subject of controversial incidents on and off the track recently.

The Briton was involved in two accidents in Monaco, colliding with Felipe Massa and Pastor Maldonado, the McLaren driver was then penalised for his actions by the stewards, which he described as "frickin' ridiculous".

Hamilton then caused a stir by suggesting that the action taken against him was "maybe because I'm black, that's what Ali G says..."

The British driver then was forced to apologise for the 'joke', but then he didn't help himself next time out in Canada when he was forced to retire after a collision with team-mate Jenson Button.

Hamilton then publicly criticised his team for selecting the wrong set of tyres which resulted in him qualifying in tenth spot at the British GP.

"Lewis is not mature and he's not got a head on him," Mansell is quoted by ESPN as telling F1 Racing magazine.

"I think he needs to settle himself down because the recent episode at Monaco was unnecessary and unflattering both for himself and Formula One. I thought his driving style was very poor because he had no respect for anyone else because where is anyone going to go?

"To say that overtaking is impossible at Monaco, well... I've done it coming out of the tunnel several times... but then to say what he said about the stewards was appalling. I was very disappointed and he's got to remember that he has been a World Champion so he should act accordingly and appropriately at all times," he added.

The former Williams man suggests that Hamilton should use his team-mate and fellow title winner, Jenson Button, as a measure of how to behave.

"Both Lewis and Jenson were both great World Champions at the time and it's absolutely fantastic to have them both in the same team but Jenson, for me, carries with him just that little bit more maturity," said the 57-year-old.

Lewis Hamilton Looking Forward To The Canadian GP

Lewis Hamilton has insisted that he expects a big result from this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, the track has always been good for Hamilton, and having taken is first pole position and first formula one race there.

The McLaren driver said the circuit suits his driving and suggests the car is well suited the the Montreal circuit.
Hamilton has been under scrutiny since the Monaco Grand Prix over his comments towards the race stewards, but he is keen to put the episode behind him and concentrate on winning.

"Montreal is a very special place for me. It's where I took my first Formula One pole position and won my first race in 2007.

"I've always got on really well with the track, the layout seems to suit my driving style, and I won there last year from pole position.

"Our car should be well suited to this track; we have a great engine, the best KERS Hybrid system in the sport and excellent traction out of slow corners.

"All in all, it's set to be another good weekend for us - I'll be looking for a strong result on Sunday."

Sebastian Vettel Claims Pole Position

World champion Sebastian Vettel claimed his fifth pole position in six races in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday.

The Red Bull driver lapped the 3.340km Monte-Carlo street circuit in a time of one minute 13.556 seconds to go 0.441secs quicker than McLaren's Jenson Button.

Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber lines up third ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, with Mercedes GP's Michael Schumacher fifth.

Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa starts sixth ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg.

Williams driver Pastor Maldonado will start ninth, however the final driver to make it through to the top-10 shoot-out, Sauber's Sergio Perez, is a doubt for Sunday's race after suffering a heavy crash in the final session.

Alonso Aware Of Schumacher Threat

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has suggested that Michael Schumacher could be his biggest rival for the forthcoming season and insist that former Champion could pose the biggest threat for all drivers, despite struggling in the 2010 season.

The seven time World Champion finished ninth in his first season back since retiring in 2006 and Alonso feels the German will bounce back stronger next season, the Spaniard says he has already noticed a different Schumacher who is destined for success this time around.

However Alonso insists; "There will be five world champions on the track and the most dangerous champion for me is always Michael."

Alonso who is away with the Ferrari team on a Ski trip also added,

"Now in January if I have to choose one name I have to say Michael.

"He is seven-times champion. He has nothing to prove. He had a difficult season but he is still a champion.

"He is still super class and if the car is right he will be a contender."

Alonso is also aware that Redbull’s Sebastian Vettel and McLaren’s duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson button will be waiting in the wings to capitalise should any mistakes be made on the circuit.

"No doubt Sebastian will be a contender. He will have experience and will be calm in certain moments. He will drive better than last year and that makes him dangerous to us," Alonso explained.

"McLaren will also be one of the favourites."

Alonso is confident team-mate Felipe Massa will improve on the last seasons sixth place finish, he added; "Hopefully our car is better than the others and my toughest rival next year is Felipe,"

Michael Schumacher Wants Answers

Michael Schumacher has blamed Mercedes GP for a disappointing performance in his come back season. The German returned to the track after three years out of the sport.  Schumacher won seven World Titles before retiring in 2006, but failed to live up to expectations this season.

The 41 year old was surprised that team-mate Nico Rosberg, who ended the season in seventh place, had not suffered the same trouble with his car. Schumacher has since exchanged words behind closed doors with team owner, Ross Brawn and motorsport Chief Norbert Haug.

"I had no problems with Nico," he said in an interview with a German motorsport magazine.

"But I told Norbert and Ross that it was time to find explanations."

"The fastest driver is a reference for the other one," Schumacher went on to explain. "You see the data of how he drives, but it didn't work quite so well in the other car. Looking back, there were a few things (wrong) with my car.

"The exhaust got so hot that sometimes the underside of the car burnt or the F-Duct (a system to help the airflow) was triggered in parts of the track where it shouldn't have been.

"But I have not spoken publicly about them; I preferred to discuss it internally."