Coulthard tells Hamilton to hire manager

The McLaren driver was involved in a road car incident after doing a burnout in a Mercedes that was later impounded by Australian police.

Coulthard reckons the incident was blown out of proportion.

"I know I'll get accused of being irresponsible here, but I really don't see the big deal about Lewis indulging in a little burnout for the fans," Coulthard wrote in his column for the Daily Telegraph.

"In my view, the reaction to what was essentially a minor incident was completely over the top.

"I understand the road-safety issue, but Lewis is one of the best drivers on this planet. There is no one I would trust more to burn a bit of rubber and keep the car under perfect control.

"A minor slap on the wrist would have sufficed, although it would have been even more constructive to commit him to some sort of road safety project in Melbourne schools for next year. Impounding his car and releasing statements as to his poor character helped no one."

But the former grand prix winner has told Hamilton that he needs a manager to handle these situations, after the 2008 world champion split with father/manager earlier this year.

"Lewis's decision to dispense with Anthony's services as his manager last month was hailed as a coming-of-age move on his part," Coulthard added.

"But the folly of not appointing a replacement showed over the weekend. Having no manager is like a top tennis player having no coach. It's fine when you are playing well but as soon as you are struggling people will point to it as a weakness.

"I don't know if they have had a bust-up but it does strike me as odd that apparently they did not speak to one another in the aftermath of Friday's incident. Either way, Lewis needs to appoint a replacement soon so he can concentrate on his day job."