Lewis Hamilton's boss Toto Wolff insists he is not bothered about the Briton's car crash controversy in Monaco and wants a line to be drawn under the incident.
Hamilton's preparations for the Brazilian Grand Prix have been mired by the accident, in which the newly-crowned triple world champion lost control of his £1.5million limited edition Pagani Zonda supercar and crashed into a stationary vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Hamilton, also recovering from a virus here, said 10 days of "heavy partying", which culminated in a surprise birthday bash for his mum Carmen Larbalestier in London on Saturday, contributed to the crash.
The British driver was due to fly to Brazil from his Monaco residence at 11pm on Tuesday, but he was forced to cancel his flight on medical advice and subsequently missed a sponsors' event in Sao Paulo.
But Wolff believes Hamilton, who claimed his third world championship with three races to spare in Austin last month, should be afforded some slack despite his position as road safety ambassador for the FIA, Formula One's governing body, now said to be under consideration.
"Give the boy a break," said Wolff of Hamilton, who topped the opening practice session at Interlagos on Friday.
"He is the world champion. He has won races. It has been one of the most dominant seasons we have ever seen. He has done it all so let him have it.
"Just because many people out there judge that lifestyle to be detrimental to a racing drivers' career, it doesn't bother me at all because he delivers.
"If someone feels he needs to have an opinion on why he is out there driving at 3am in the morning in his Zonda, that doesn't bother me at all.
"I don't care because our relationship with him is functioning and he scores the tries."
Explaining Hamilton's response to the crash, Wolff said: "He just phoned me up. My reaction was 'was anybody hurt?' No. 'Are you okay?' Yes. Chapter closed for me."
Police were called to the scene of the accident at Monte Carlo's famous Lowes hairpin, but they took no further action.
Hamilton admitted that the after-effects of his mother's surprise birthday party "killed me", so why he was driving in the early hours of Tuesday morning ahead of this week's race remain unclear.
Hamilton also had his car impounded and was fined £300 for reckless driving ahead of the 2010 Australian Grand Prix, while three years previously he had his licence in France suspended for speeding in excess of 120mph.
Wolff added: "The pressure on him is enormous. He puts extra pressure on himself and besides delivering on the track, he is also a character.
"Formula One needs characters. He is a rockstar racing driver and he does not only deliver in a car, he delivers for the brand in his life outside of the track.
"That life certainly creates controversy, but it also makes him a personality with edges. At the moment, he is the best driver in the paddock. He is not just the best driver because of his talent but because he knows what is good for him and what isn't.
"Sometimes you have to stretch the limit and probably now we are at the point where he will recalibrate in some way. But it is perfectly reasonable that we give him that space, and even more if you consider he has just become the world champion."
Source: PA
