miércoles, 19 de enero de 2011

Lewis Hamilton gets a new full-time trainer – his third in as many seasons - Telegraph.co.uk (blog)

Lewis Hamilton will have a new full-time trainer for 2011. Finn Antti Vierula takes over the reins from Clayton Green, who has moved to a "senior position" within McLaren's "Human High Performance programme" (according to a statement from the team this morning, which makes humans sound rather like machines –  I'm told this means Clayton will be focusing on all the drivers' fitness demands from back at the MTC…).

This would not ordinarily be of huge interest but the position of trainer in F1 has assumed increasing importance in recent years. With 20 races on the calendar in 2011, and many more foreign trips to testing/PR appearances etc, a full-time trainer is basically a driver's constant sidekick; the man you are likely to be spending most of your life with. It can be intense and it is important that you get on. Jenson Button is very good mates with his trainer, Mike Collier, and they have a nice little group going on with Jenson's Dad, John, manager Richard Goddard and  girlfriend Jessica Michibata. Plus assorted other friends at various races.

Lewis does not go in for this group travelling so much. Vierula, who according to the same statement has been "punishing" Lewis out in Colorado ("snow-hiking, cross-country skiing and working out in the gym – all between altitudes of 2600 and 3700m to maximise cardiovascular efficiency") and who also trained him up during the winter of 09/10, will be Lewis' third trainer in as many seasons after Australian Adam Costanzo and Green.

Perhaps Lewis has not yet found someone he can comfortably spend that amount of time with? Perhaps Green is paying the price for being in the car with him when he was busted "hooning" in Melbourne last year? Whatever the reason, it would clearly be beneficial for Lewis if this relationship works well. With the split from his father and manager Anthony last year, he lost his constant travelling companion. He still hasn't appointed a new manager. Vierula will likely be the closest thing he has to a travelling companion now.

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