Hamilton’s split with Scherzinger 'could affect title hopes'

Lewis Hamilton is the overwhelming favourite to land the 2015 Formula One world championship, but David Coulthard says he needs to forget about outside influences.

Following a near-perfect 2014 in which he beat fellow Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg to the title, the Brit heads into this weekend’s season-opener in Melbourne as the heavy favourite but Coulthard is adamant that Hamilton will have more than just racing on his mind this year.

The 30-year-old recently split from long-term girlfriend and former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger in what was a much-publicised affair due to the pair’s status in the public eye.

Hamilton acknowledged in the past that issues between the two – including a prior separation – had affected performances on the circuit and Coulthard is concerned that the same could happen once again as the Brit goes in search of a third world championship.

“It remains unknown what effect his split from Nicole Scherzinger might have,” Coulthard wrote in his Telegraph article.

“As Lewis has acknowledged before, and would acknowledge now, there have been times in the past where the ups and downs of that relationship have thrown him off course. That’s fair comment.

“Now it all depends on where he is in his mind. We have to wait and see. It is what would appear to be a small chink in his armour, the heart on the sleeve, Nigel Mansell-esque behaviour. It comes through in the way he performs.

“I do not think you can write the final chapter in Lewis’s career. But it is at least an unknown how he will handle the split.”

That would be quite the disastrous impact on the Brit - it is, of course, all ifs and buts but if Hamilton were to lose his championship on the back the split then that would be quite the surprising and serious implication.

Only time will tell.

Also playing on Hamilton’s mind as he prepares to defend his title could be the on-going furore regarding an apparent contractual impasse with Mercedes.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff earlier this month moved to rubbish reports that Hamilton could be offered a staggering £1 million-a-week in wages.

The Mercedes boss was reacting to media reports that the world champion could be offered the astonishing sums to commit his future to the F1 team with his contract up at the end of the year.

"I think [with] these numbers you must question where you get your drugs from,” Wolff told Sky Sports News.

“I don’t want to even comment on this nonsense.

"We are in really good discussions with him, he wants to stay with the team and we want him to stay and we are in good spirits.

“Contract negotiations are something which takes time and we are positive so this is pretty normal business.

"Don’t forget it is the start of the season and everyone is expecting a contract to be signed soon and they are putting pressure and for us this has no influence in our discussions.”

Those reports may well be wide of the mark but, considering Coulthard’s claim that Hamilton wears his heart on his sleeve, Mercedes’ best interests would probably be well-served getting the contract signed as soon as possible.

This is not to question Hamilton’s professionalism in anyway shape or form but it makes logical sense that if he goes into the season with his future sorted then he can fully focus on retaining his title.

It is the smallest of advantages that can make the difference over the course of a season.

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