Hakkinen to become Hamilton’s new manager soon?

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Lewis Hamilton has played down rumors Mika Hakkinen will shortly be unveiled as his new personal manager.

The McLaren driver admitted exaggeratingly that he has fielded "millions" of calls from potential candidates after announcing his professional split with father Anthony.

But as his day-to-day affairs are currently handled by his Woking based employer, the 25-year-old suggested he wants a non-F1 expert to focus on developing Lewis Hamilton the "brand".

Referring to conventional driver managers, the 2008 world champion told British newspapers in Barcelona: "I think what they can offer me is a bit limited — limited to F1.

"There are other ways you can go."

It was reported that former McLaren champion Hakkinen was a frontrunner, but Hamilton insists there has been "no movement" in terms of a decision about his new manager.

"I've not spoken to anyone. I'm not in any rush. It's not necessary to appoint anyone now. The team are helping me. They are providing the things I need. It could be six months before I get anyone," he said.

Hamilton also said he is patching up his relationship with his father, who has not attended a grand prix since Lewis decided to go it alone.

"Things are slowly progressing," he said. "We have been in contact recently. He's said he is supporting me and that's all I've always wanted from my dad.

"More and more he's coming to terms with it. I'll probably speak to him but we won't decide together on my new manager. I want to set the direction I'm going in," said Hamilton.

04/30/10 (GMM) Rumors have intensified this week that Mika Hakkinen could soon become Lewis Hamilton's manager.

In the wake of the McLaren driver's professional split with his father Anthony, 25-year-old Briton Hamilton has been perusing offers from potential managers.

1998 and 199 world champion Hakkinen, 41, already works with a young F3 driver at his own manager Didier Coton's Monaco based Aces Group, and said last Sunday: "Perhaps I will come back to F1 as a manager."

The Italian sports daily Tuttosport now reports that the formalization of a deal between Aces/Hakkinen and Hamilton could be made in the very near future.

Hamilton's career is currently handled by McLaren, but team boss Martin Whitmarsh is pushing his driver to appoint a "dispassionate, independent" manager.

Hakkinen won his two world championships with McLaren and retired in 2001.