Hamilton warned over impulsive move

Hamilton's soaring popularity in the wake of his sensational start to his Formula One career has led to an unsurprising change to his life away from the circuit.

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Even before his recent victories in Canada and the United States, Hamilton had talked of the paparazzi encamped outside the family home in Tewin, Hertfordshire.

The 22-year-old has also mentioned the fact he finds it difficult to simply go to the petrol station to fill up his car with fuel with the public eager to get to know Britain's newest sporting star.

It has led to suggestions, in particular from McLaren team boss Ron Dennis, that Hamilton may be forced to move abroad to escape the hysteria that currently surrounds him.

Monaco has become a popular haunt over the years for Formula One stars, with Jenson Button and David Coulthard currently residents.

Another of Britain's top racing drivers Allan McNish also lives in the tax-free haven, and while appreciating the lifestyle, the Scot claims Hamilton would be unwise to leave home just yet.

"There is a balance in your life between being able to do your job and enjoying that life," said McNish, who has lived in Monaco for the last few years since his days when he drove for Toyota.

"There's nothing worse for someone being somewhere they don't want to be, or enduring so much stress that it affects your happiness.

"It happens with people who relocate with their job every day of the week, and they don't settle down very well.

"What I would say is that from a motorsport perspective, Monaco is a very central point for testing across Europe.

"Then there are simple things like your training and the weather, so it works extremely well.

"But I certainly wouldn't advocate Lewis considering any move to anywhere - not even 200 yards down the road - in the middle of a season.

"He has to focus on one thing, and one thing only, and that's his racing and his season.

"Everything else, even talking about it, can be done at the end of the year.

"That's because he has the chance of a lifetime, a crack at the world championship and to have a fantastic season.

"He has to keep his eyes focused on that and not be deflected by other things."

McNish feels that once the Formula One campaign is over Hamilton may want to consider his options if life in Hertfordshire becomes too much of a hassle.

"I would advocate Monaco as a place to live, no question about it," McNish told PA Sport.

"It's very easy for commuting, the weather is good, and there are a lot of like-minded, sporting people there.

"One other thing is if you are racing at the Monaco Grand Prix then you can sleep in your own bed, which is not very normal.

"But I like living there and the whole balance of everything.

"But if he does move, then he has to be 100% comfortable with the whole aspect of life there.

"He can't just move for one particular reason."