Seton: Scaife needs to focus.

Ford Performance Racing's Glenn Seton has warned Mark Skaife to concentrate on his driving and the Holden Racing Team in order to get back to the top.

Seton gave up ownership of his own team last year after 15 years for family and lifestyle reasons. Although he believes that Skaife made the right move in purchasing HRT, the numerous other things he has taken on are proving to be too much of a burden.

"I don't believe Mark has taken on too much with the ownership of HRT," he said. "I do, however, think he has taken on too much outside of the ownership of a team and his job as a driver. By that I mean his positions as a TEGA and AVESCO board member, his involvement with Holden Special Vehicles and other interests.

"When I owned a team I was able to control it because I was solely concentrating on managing, owning and driving. Mark has plenty on his books not to mention taking over Project Blueprint, a new model VY Commodore, a new engine and everything else.

"At the end of the day he is driving as well as anyone. I just think the competition is so much harder and the fact that because of the situation he is now in he is sometimes pushing it harder on the track than he should in the search for results.

"If he was focusing on what Mark Skaife does best - which is driving a race car and being involved in their development- the ownership issue should not really be a problem.

"It's certainly not the case that he's dropped the ball in terms of driving or his natural ability which is as good as it has ever been."

Although he has no regrets about giving up the ownership of his team, Seton does admit that he misses the hands on element the role brings.

"The bits I really miss are the day to day involvement with the team and being able to make decisions about the direction of the team," he said.

"I have been reasonably happy with what I've done in the last 18 months but I'd have to say I am disappointed with the way the team has performed this year."

Seton remains hopeful that both he and team mate Craig Lowndes will be able to overcome the car problems that have dogged them this season and still feels that they could challenge for honours at Bathurst.

"I rate Craig as one of the best, if not the very best, driver I have seen," he said. "The way I have been racing I haven't looked like a complete goose behind him. Things will get better for us, we just need some time for it to turn around."