Lewis Hamilton to Sign with Mercedes?

[Boostin FD]

Could this be true?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19489930

I think if he does it could be a huge mistake as Mercedes has not provided a winning car... on top of that, Schumi would have to leave

thoughts?

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

Could this be true?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19489930

I think if he does it could be a huge mistake as Mercedes has not provided a winning car... on top of that, Schumi would have to leave

thoughts?

Probably a ploy to get more money from Mclaren. It would be crazy to join Mercedes: their future in F1 is unclear, and they have yet to deliver and develop a proper, competitive car. His only realistic options are Red Bull, Ferrari, or Mclaren. And the former two appear to be off the list.

[M3_WC]

There has to BIG money on the table for him to even consider taking a step back to a less competitive team.

Yes he could earn more money now, but it could hurt potential future earnings spending a couple seasons running mid-pack.

Honestly could be a career killing move. Unless for some reason he believes MB can start turning out a championship winning car.

[Koop]

I'd be surprised if it's true. Would definitely be a foolish move in several respects.

Keep in mind that the level of dung that spews forth from Eddie Jordan's mouth is legendary. For an F1 "chief analyst" he's one of the least-informed people associated with the sport. Also the #1 reason (out of several) that I watch Sky Sports coverage instead of BBC.

[bliss at 9k]

It makes sense from a MGT stand point. Mercedes is a much larger brand than Mclaren.

Hamilton's mgt team wants to make him a world wide star not just a great driver.

[BucurFoto]

Agreed with the above points. Going to Mercedes would be a bad move. While he hasn't done terrible with McLaren the only way to get better would be to sign with a team that would put all development behind him 100% like Ferrari did with Schumi many years ago. The kid has talent, a bit of a hot head, but he's good nevertheless.

[Boostin FD]

no other site is reporting on this... so it could be just a rumor... who knows.

[BudVlad]

The Daily Mail is reporting that Hamilton has been offered £60 million (~ $95 million) by Mercedes for the next three seasons.

[Boostin FD]

I don't want to see Schumi go Damn it! Maybe he can go to McLaren or Ferrari for one year only...

[Boostin FD]

Hamilton Denied all Merc Rumours...

http://planetf1.com/news/3213/805549...Rumours-Denied

[1BMW4fun]

You got to look at serveral factor. From 09-11, McLaren has not been able to produce a car to win a championship both in WCC and WDC. They are competitive but their approach mentality always land them in 2nd or 3rd place. I think LH realized that he isnt going to have a chance to take a WDC this year due to operational issues earlier in the season. In his eyes, thats four years of finishing 2-3. Seems McLaren approach to win is different then his view. If you look at Ferrari and RB, they clearly have a no.1 driver and they are backing one driver at a time, with McLaren, they are trying hard to back both drivers. I think McLaren mistake here is LH and JB makes up a bad combo, because their driving style are different. They need to back a single driver and that is LH view of approach, he performs well if you feed on his ego.

[O-cha]

Originally Posted by Echo M3

Probably a ploy to get more money from Mclaren. It would be crazy to join Mercedes: their future in F1 is unclear, and they have yet to deliver and develop a proper, competitive car. His only realistic options are Red Bull, Ferrari, or Mclaren. And the former two appear to be off the list.

This, his management company is just using it as a negotiating tactic. They probably approached any team that's worth believing. Like it says ferrari and redbull said F-off, the only one left that is believable and would consider him is mercedes.

However, Mclaren have not been providing good support, with a subpar car and absolutely atrocious pit stops, so it's still believable he might be disappointed enough to truly consider a switch/

[JoeyBananaz18]

I think it would be a huge mistake for him to leave Mclaren. The past 2 seasons have been dominated by boy wonder, before that it was Braun, and before that, Hamilton was crowned champion. Mclaren has more than a competitive car this season. Button is constantly nipping at the heals of Alonso and Hamilton is always putting up significant points. They can easily pass RBR and grab a constructors title. And that's when you're going to get your money.

[johanness]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

I think it would be a huge mistake for him to leave Mclaren. The past 2 seasons have been dominated by boy wonder, before that it was Braun, and before that, Hamilton was crowned champion. Mclaren has more than a competitive car this season. Button is constantly nipping at the heals of Alonso and Hamilton is always putting up significant points. They can easily pass RBR and grab a constructors title. And that's when you're going to get your money.

Yeah, they can EASILY pass RBR for the Constructors. Makes you wonder if 'boy wonder' is just biding his time?

[jkoral]

James Allen certainly makes a compelling case for it:

Hamilton set to move to Mercedes
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/0...e-to-mercedes/


(I agree with the comment that JA should have put a question mark at the end of the title!)

[TexasZed4MC]

He NEEDS to leave McLaren. As great of a talent as he is, his attitude is pathetic. It's always has to be about him. Realizing F1 is only slightly a team sport it is in the best interest of the team to have drivers that can tolerate each other. Lewis clearly see's himself far superior to Jensen. I say open the door and let the spoiled 2 year old be someone body else headache.

[3erdriver]

Originally Posted by TexasZed4MC

He NEEDS to leave McLaren. As great of a talent as he is, his attitude is pathetic. It's always has to be about him. Realizing F1 is only slightly a team sport it is in the best interest of the team to have drivers that can tolerate each other. Lewis clearly see's himself far superior to Jensen. I say open the door and let the spoiled 2 year old be someone body else headache.

I loved Lewis but as time passes less and less so. His attitude is ridiculous. Ironically his attitude early on is what was so good! If he had half a brain he's have 3 world championships. A LOT of the DNF's he's had have been so so dumb. If I were Ron Dennis or Martin Whitmarsh I'd sit him down, turn off his mobile and tell him he can either get his head in order and stay or offer to help him pack. McLaren has given him everything he has, he needs to respect that.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by jimH6

I loved Lewis but as time passes less and less so. His attitude is ridiculous. Ironically his attitude early on is what was so good! If he had half a brain he's have 3 world championships. A LOT of the DNF's he's had have been so so dumb. If I were Ron Dennis or Martin Whitmarsh I'd sit him down, turn off his mobile and tell him he can either get his head in order and stay or offer to help him pack. McLaren has given him everything he has, he needs to respect that.

Agree. He is like a spoiled brat most times. If he moves away from a top team like McLeran, he will fade away which is fine with me. (Him and his family entourage)

[johanness]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Agree. He is like a spoiled brat most times. If he moves away from a top team like McLeran, he will fade away which is fine with me. (Him and his family entourage)

Amen

[Boostin FD]

I still think he's a very good driver... and pretty entertaining to watch HA!

[1BMW4fun]

Why do people tend to see Lewis is the problem. It takes two to tangle. Lets look at it from a different angle. This is the second time this decade that McLaren has ruined its relationship with a good driver (Alonso was the first). If I recalled earlier, Kimi Raikkonen didn't exactly have a good time while he was at McLaren either. I'm not defending LH, but the reason why McLaren has only won races and not tittles is an issue within their management team and their relationship with their drivers. From a tactical point of view, do they think Jenson could lead them to WDC and WCC in 2013? Remember, a whole new set of rules and engine in 2014, and they wont have Mr. Diamler hand out free engine and techinical colaboration anymore.

[1BMW4fun]

Originally Posted by jimH6

I loved Lewis but as time passes less and less so. His attitude is ridiculous. Ironically his attitude early on is what was so good! If he had half a brain he's have 3 world championships. A LOT of the DNF's he's had have been so so dumb. If I were Ron Dennis or Martin Whitmarsh I'd sit him down, turn off his mobile and tell him he can either get his head in order and stay or offer to help him pack. McLaren has given him everything he has, he needs to respect that.

You really think McLaren has produced a good car from 09-11 with no operational issue for him to win a WDC? I could think right off my head a bunch of lies they told to the steward after race incidents or how they screwed up refueling during qualify and tried to cover up, and not to mention the pit stop dramas.