Lewis Hamilton has received a behind-the-scenes boost with the appointment of highly respected manager Didier Coton to help with his personal business affairs.
Coton, who is most well-known for looking after Mika Hakkinen during the most successful period of his career, has been taken on by Hamilton's XIX Entertainment management company. The move to appoint someone with vast experience of F1 comes after a season when Hamilton's management came under scrutiny following the on- and off-track problems the former World Champion faced.
"Simon [Fuller, XIX Entertainment owner] is committed to creating a team that will help me achieve my ambitions for 2012 and beyond," Hamilton told Britain's Press Association. "Didier's appointment builds on the existing strengths of XIX and I am delighted to have him as part of the team. I'm positive about the season ahead and can't wait to start."