Hamilton's split with his father...

[markb]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lewishamilton/7602028/Chinese-Grand-Prix-Lewis-Hamilton-and-father-lose-contact-o

[John S]

I think this is the link you tried to post Mark.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lewishamilton/7602028/Chinese-Grand-Prix-Lewis-Hamilton-and-father-lose-contact-over-split.html

[Scott]

I wonder what caused it besides tension. 

[Canada Darrell™]

Speaking as a parent of an ever increasingly independent child this is kinda sad. 

Hopefully it doesn't damage their relationship in the long term.

[cosworth151]

I remember the feeling, Darrell. Don't worry, though. It all works out. When my daughter was in her late teens, we couldn't tell her anything. Once she had a home and a child of her own, it was amazing how much smarter old Dad was!

I wonder which came first, the change in management or the split. He really does need a professional manager. At that level, he's swimming with the sharks.

[markb]

I think he definitely needs his Dad back or somebody reliable

[Jericoke]

F1 drivers have had all kinds of success with all kinds of different relationships with their families.

Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve did very well without fathers at all.  (Alas, I think Piquet Jr might've been better off without his father's pressure - not to suggest any ill will towards Piquet Sr, but it's a big shadow to live with)

Outside of Button and Hamilton, I don't know that I've seen the parents of any of the current F1 drivers.  (Although I think they were showing Petrov's mother hanging around Renault.  I'm not sure though.)

[Dare]

Massa's parents were at a few races,I especially
remember them at Brazil celebrating when it
appeared Felipe had won the WDC

Webber's dad has been at a few too


On another thought I noticed it said Hamilton's
mother was with him,I thought they were estranged

[Wizzo]

My Dad is always at every race.

In this picture I was on the phone to him telling him my GG picks so he could sort the cars into the correct finishing order. 

[John S]

All I can say Wizzo is he must have fallen out with you too looking at the result.  

[Jericoke]

Massa's parents were at a few races,I especially
remember them at Brazil celebrating when it
appeared Felipe had won the WDC

Webber's dad has been at a few too


On another thought I noticed it said Hamilton's
mother was with him,I thought they were estranged

I guess with the British teams, it's easier for British family to be involved in the team.  John and Anthony would probably travel with the team, but I don't know that RBR would give Webber's family the VIP treatment for every race, but would do anything for him for Aussie races, similarly the Brazilian drivers at the Brazilian GP, etc.