London: Lewis Hamilton should stick with his McLaren Formula One team rather than be tempted by a possible move to Red Bull, according to former world champion Nigel Mansell.
The Briton, one of the stewards at Silverstone this weekend for his and Hamilton's home grand prix, was happy to offer a few words of advice to his compatriot for both Sunday's race and his future.
"Lewis has had an amazing career with McLaren," he said of the 2008 world champion who continues to be linked in paddock speculation to a possible move away from Woking to the reigning champions in Milton Keynes.
"I think Michael Schumacher proved with staying with Ferrari, that if you can have the support of the team totally behind you, (you) build on that year-on-year.”
"He (Hamilton) hasn't exactly had a drought," added the 1992 champion, speaking after his former Williams team announced a return to Renault engines next year.
"I think McLaren are a fantastic team. Personally, I would stay with McLaren and all the people who have supported him through thick and thin. It might be a mistake if he changes teams."
Hamilton, 26, has been backed by McLaren for well over a decade and nearly won the title in his 2007 debut season.
This year he has won one race, in China, to six out of eight for Red Bull's runaway championship leader and reigning champion Sebastian Vettel.
The McLaren driver has also been in more controversies and scrapes than any other driver on the starting grid.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, July 05, 2011, 23:51