25 replies to this topic

[i11usive]

I know some of you don't like Hamilton, but interested in your thoughts/opinions.

[Javik]

Mercedes is about his only hope to get into another top team, and do they really offer him a better choice than McLaren? in my opinion, no. He'd be silly to leave.

[Sparky Marky]

I think yes, but that the over-riding reason for doing so will be the pressure from his management.

[+Lovell]

How many articles have we had of Lewis about to leave? same with Massa, every year there are articles on how these 2 are going to leave or be replaced.

[i11usive]

What do you think that tap on his helmet at the end of Monza was? Tap on the Red? Purely speculation ...

[+Mephistopheles]

Unlikely. MSC seems motivated to drive for another year, which leaves Hamilton without another top team to go to.

[+Lingwo]

I can't see him going. If he does, then something happened at Mclaren that is changed his mind or more likely going for the money. Mclaren will always be at the top fighting for the championship.

Mercedes for the past three years haven't really shown any indication they can fight for the championship. They are getting better but i still doubt putting Hamilton in this years car would have helped their results. The can has been unreliable.

Other than Red Bull or Ferrari, there is really nowhere else for him to go. Whatever happens he has lost all respect from his fans, he has once again acted like a child and gone about this all the wrong way. He is one of the best natural talents in the sport and he acts like this.

[Dan~]

OK, he won yesterday, but I honestly think McLaren will get rid of him to be honest.

Look at what he did just last weak with the telemetary.

He is a bad apple and I honestly feel like he needs a year out. Learn what respect is and grow up a little.

[MarkusDarkus]

Dan~, on 10 September 2012 - 10:12, said:

OK, he won yesterday, but I honestly think McLaren will get rid of him to be honest.

Look at what he did just last weak with the telemetary.

He is a bad apple and I honestly feel like he needs a year out. Learn what respect is and grow up a little.

Yea right. Like McLaren would do that. If they took on Button with his history (I know he is calm now) they aint got a problem with Hamilton.

[Enron]

He's got a future at Super Aguri.

[mealies]

Also, could Hamilton do a KP and annoy mclaren enough so that they don't offer him another contract whether he wants one or not.

For what its worth, here is the latest skyF1 article on it:

[+Mephistopheles]

It's a done deal apparently:

Lewis Hamilton to leave McLaren for Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton is to leave McLaren after signing to race for Mercedes from next season.

The move, predicted by BBC Sport earlier this month, will be announced on Friday and will have huge repercussions throughout Formula 1.

It has forced Michael Schumacher out of Mercedes but it it is not clear whether the German legend will go back into retirement or look for another team.

Sauber driver Sergio Perez has signed as Hamilton's replacement at McLaren.

Hamilton's decision is a huge blow to McLaren, who will now have to do without the speed and inspirational talent of a man they have nurtured since he was 13 years old.

And it is a correspondingly massive coup for Mercedes, who have struggled since returning to the sport as a team owner in 2010 by buying the then world champion Brawn team.

Hamilton has been offered unequivocal number one status and will be partnered by German Nico Rosberg.

Although Hamilton's salary at Mercedes will be larger than the one he was offered by McLaren, and he has more opportunity to earn money through personal sponsorships and endorsements, sources close to the 27-year-old insist he has switched teams with a view to long-term performance.

McLaren have the fastest car this season, while Mercedes have slipped backwards after a promising start to the year.

But Mercedes have sold the move to Hamilton on the basis that they are preparing for a huge push in 2014, when new chassis and engine rules are introduced.

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, who masterminded Ferrari's years of domination in the early 2000s, has been instrumental in persuading Hamilton the move is the right decision for his future.

Hamilton, whose failure to win more than one world title so far in his career rankles with him, is banking on Brawn being able to conjure a similar period of domination at Mercedes.
Schumacher's future is uncertain. Sauber team boss Peter Sauber said a week ago that he would offer the seven-time champion a drive if he became available.

But despite the Swiss team's strong performances this season, that would be seen as a significant comedown for a man who was expected to win on his return.

Instead, Schumacher's comeback after three years in retirement has been a huge disappointment - he has scored only one podium finish in three years.

Source: BBC Sport

[+Mephistopheles]

The plot thickens.

Perez takes place of Mercedes-bound Hamilton at McLaren

Sergio Perez will drive for McLaren in 2013, the team has confirmed.

Perez will take the place of Lewis Hamilton, who is widely believed to be about to confirm a move to Mercedes.

A trio of podium finishes in his second season so far has marked Perez out as a driver of the future.

“I’m thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver,” said Perez.

“The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of Formula 1. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every racing driver has aspired to drive for – I was brought up on the great stories of Ayrton Senna’s many world championship triumphs for McLaren – and I’m truly honoured that they’ve chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013 onwards.”

Perez added: “I’d like to thank Carlos Slim Jr, who has helped me since I was 14 years old, without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“Our journey together over the past eight years has been an incredible one, and I’ll do everything in my power to deliver with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the results that he and I have been working so hard and so long to achieve together.

“As I say, I’ve worked very hard to get to this stage in my career, and I’m now massively looking forward to this next even more exciting stage. It’s fantastic that all the sacrifices I’ve made are now paying off.

“For example, I remember very clearly the first day I left my family, when I was 15, to live in Germany to race in Formula BMW. It was tough for me – I was sleeping in a restaurant at that time – but the dream of one day becoming a Formula 1 driver kept me going through those difficult days.

“Finally, I’d like to thank my beloved family, who’ve encouraged me at every turn, and last but far from least the people of Mexico, my home country, whose magnificent support I’ll do my very best to reward with future successes with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.”

Source: F1 Fanatic

[+Chicane-UK]

Interesting signing in Perez... he's had some excellent drives this year so perhaps with an even better car he could be championship material?

[+Mephistopheles]

Confirmed: http://www.mercedes-...ronas-from-2013