Apr.26 (GMM) McLaren executive Martin Whitmarsh at Barcelona advised Lewis Hamilton to focus on himself, as observers agree that the 23-year-old Briton is going through a slump.

Whitmarsh, the Mercedes-powered team's CEO, said Hamilton needs to hone how he manages the '2 per cent' of his mind that needs to think about things other than driving.

So is Hamilton, who some have observed is less cheerful than usual at Barcelona following his awful Bahrain grand prix, overcommitting himself?

"Yes," Whitmarsh confirmed. "I think Lewis is too giving of himself."

Whitmarsh said he has never seen the F1 world pile on the pressure as much as it has in reaction to Hamilton, triggered by his burst onto the scene as a rookie last year.

Some believe that Hamilton soaked up the attention like a sponge, and possibly to his detriment now.

"As a young man, Lewis is that way inclined," Whitmarsh acknowledged. "I wouldn't say he's overly gregarious or overly outgoing, but he's a lively, young, ambitious individual."

The Guardian newspaper points out that, missing from Hamilton's entourage this year is Dr Kerry Spackman, a neuroscientist who worked closely with the Briton in 2007.

Former triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart agrees that Hamilton needs some sort of "coach".

"You cannot go from kindergarten to university overnight," said the Scot. "Even the great Tiger Woods has a man with him."