Coulthard advises Hamilton to keep a lower profile

Red Bull Racing Team driver David Coulthard said that he believes Lewis Hamilton would benefit from keeping a lower profile in order to deal with the pressure of being one of the most recognisable stars of Formula One.

After a difficult Canadian and French race for Hamilton, the pressure on the young star starts to rise just like the criticism of the press.

David Coulthard declared to the British newspaper 'The Telegraph': "If you put yourself out there, there are going to be observations of where you're going, what you're doing. People will start to feel that they own a little bit more of you than if you keep a low profile. But that is a decision I am sure Lewis is well able to make.

"I never had the spotlight that Lewis has. I can't imagine what it is like. To be the first black driver in F1, almost winning a World Championship; all those things must be incredible.

"But Lewis unquestionably has everything he needs to be a World Champion. He is one of the, if not the most, well prepared rookies. The only thing that he doesn't have is the mental experience and development that inevitably comes through life."

Coulthard believes that Hamilton can use Kimi Raikkonen and Mika Hakkinen as an example: "If you look at Mika or Kimi, they get very private. They are low-profile guys. Kimi is not off doing book signings or celebrity parties.

"If Lewis goes down a Beckham-style route he will end up being extremely busy at the race track and extremely busy away from it, which will take a toll."