Hamilton to Mercedes
Discussion
It could make sense.
Hamilton has not made the most of his talent in the last two years. Brawn is a good man-manager. If I was him, I'd insist on Hamilton getting a driver coach to work on his mental strength before signing any contract. I think Hamilton needs a fresh start and new direction so he can make the most of his ability.
My opinion: Button and Kimi at McLaren. DiResta to McLaren or Mercedes in 2 years time.
Brawn have been champions more recently than McLaren, so it's not that far-fetched. From 2014, partnering with a team that is an engine manufacturer could be a smart move.
Hamilton has not made the most of his talent in the last two years. Brawn is a good man-manager. If I was him, I'd insist on Hamilton getting a driver coach to work on his mental strength before signing any contract. I think Hamilton needs a fresh start and new direction so he can make the most of his ability.
My opinion: Button and Kimi at McLaren. DiResta to McLaren or Mercedes in 2 years time.
Brawn have been champions more recently than McLaren, so it's not that far-fetched. From 2014, partnering with a team that is an engine manufacturer could be a smart move.
Kimi wont go back to McLaren and I believe he has said as much. Doesn't like doing the PR stuff. In any case he's on a 2 year contract with the enstone lot, for whatever thats worth. He is also showing signs of frustration so I wouldn't be surprised to see him slipping back into 2008 "can't be arsed" mode fairly soon.
Again, Mercedes have been utterly nowhere for the last 3 years, given their accolades.
2009 was a one off that was afforded by millions of Honda bucks, that money is simply not available to the team and it seems they've lost expertise.
A 2014 engine won't matter if they can't get aero, tyre deg and strategy right, this is where Merc are hurting most.
Again, Mercedes have been utterly nowhere for the last 3 years, given their accolades.
2009 was a one off that was afforded by millions of Honda bucks, that money is simply not available to the team and it seems they've lost expertise.
A 2014 engine won't matter if they can't get aero, tyre deg and strategy right, this is where Merc are hurting most.
Edited by Crafty_ on Wednesday 5th September 19:53
hornetrider said:
FourWheelDrift said:
IMHO moving to Mercedes is a step down, only to be made if serious problems are in the team being left?
DanB7290 said:
If this is true, the new million dollar question is, who will replace him at McLaren?
Assuming JB stays on, it has to be a younger driver IMO. Di Resta gets mentioned, but McLaren are going to want a long term driver who is a potential champion, and I'm not sure if he is. Matt.. said:
Why can't You see DiResta there?
Algesuari or Kobi do not seem like McLaren drivers at all.
This whole thing seems highly unlikely though!
I don't think he has done much to warrant it. Plus, if PR is so important to McLaren DiResta seems quite dour. I'd like to see Alg there. Young, talented, (surprised he never got a drive this year), and with a PR image they could use. Algesuari or Kobi do not seem like McLaren drivers at all.
This whole thing seems highly unlikely though!
davepoth said:
DanB7290 said:
If this is true, the new million dollar question is, who will replace him at McLaren?
Assuming JB stays on, it has to be a younger driver IMO. Di Resta gets mentioned, but McLaren are going to want a long term driver who is a potential champion, and I'm not sure if he is. To all those dismissing this due to the source being Eddie Jordan I just like to point out he was the first one to call Mercedes buying Brawn and also the first to say Schumacher would come out of retirement.
Of course that doesn’t mean the story is true but simply refusing to believe it because it is written by Andrew Benson, involves EJ, and is on the BBC (and only their because there hasn’t been much news on their site this year) is bizarre.
My take on it is Hamilton’s team are trying to squeeze McLaren. With Webber signing a new contract and Ferrari acting cool on Lewis, McLaren had the upper hand in negotiations as he didn’t seem to have anywhere else to go. This story could be just be a bluff in an attempt to show he still has options.
Of course that doesn’t mean the story is true but simply refusing to believe it because it is written by Andrew Benson, involves EJ, and is on the BBC (and only their because there hasn’t been much news on their site this year) is bizarre.
My take on it is Hamilton’s team are trying to squeeze McLaren. With Webber signing a new contract and Ferrari acting cool on Lewis, McLaren had the upper hand in negotiations as he didn’t seem to have anywhere else to go. This story could be just be a bluff in an attempt to show he still has options.
I get the feeling this is just sabre-rattling by Hamilton's management.
However, if it turns out to be true then I'm all for it. I'm growing tired of Lewis, his 'homies' and his annoying girlfriend. And how any driver can think it's OK (in any circumstances) to post confidential team data on a public service is beyond me.
McLaren need to refocus. Let's not forget that they haven't won a constructor's title since 1998.
If Lewis does go to Mercedes, then I think McLaren need to get proven winners in to the team and not worry so much about the long term. It seems to me that Lewis has been propping-up their appeal to sponsors - I mean, they may not be winning but Lewis has star power - I'm sure he can help Mercedes to out-sell the Escalade. If he goes, then what do they have? They're not championship winners, they don't have Ferrari's charisma and they don't use pay drivers (rightly).
The only thing they can do is start winning again and let that attract the sponsors and engine suppliers.
If Lewis goes then I think they should retain Jenson and pay whatever it takes to re-sign Kimi. Jenson doesn't look that hungry for another title to me - Kimi looks like he wants it and is frustrated that Lotus are 'close but no cigar'. So, Jenson can do the talking and the rear-gunnery while Kimi wins races.
However, if it turns out to be true then I'm all for it. I'm growing tired of Lewis, his 'homies' and his annoying girlfriend. And how any driver can think it's OK (in any circumstances) to post confidential team data on a public service is beyond me.
McLaren need to refocus. Let's not forget that they haven't won a constructor's title since 1998.
If Lewis does go to Mercedes, then I think McLaren need to get proven winners in to the team and not worry so much about the long term. It seems to me that Lewis has been propping-up their appeal to sponsors - I mean, they may not be winning but Lewis has star power - I'm sure he can help Mercedes to out-sell the Escalade. If he goes, then what do they have? They're not championship winners, they don't have Ferrari's charisma and they don't use pay drivers (rightly).
The only thing they can do is start winning again and let that attract the sponsors and engine suppliers.
If Lewis goes then I think they should retain Jenson and pay whatever it takes to re-sign Kimi. Jenson doesn't look that hungry for another title to me - Kimi looks like he wants it and is frustrated that Lotus are 'close but no cigar'. So, Jenson can do the talking and the rear-gunnery while Kimi wins races.
F1 journo Joe Saward blogged:
"Eddie Jordan is close to Bernie Ecclestone and it is not unusual for EJ to be used to put out stories. So if EJ is saying that Lewis Hamilton is close to signing for Mercedes, one needs to listen." He goes on to express scepticism, saying that the move would be a bad one for Lewis.
Both Hamilton and McLaren have been negotiating in public, with Lewis saying that he would be doing much less PR work in future, and Ron Dennis saying that Lewis would have to take a pay cut to stay at Woking.
This story may well be more of the same.
"Eddie Jordan is close to Bernie Ecclestone and it is not unusual for EJ to be used to put out stories. So if EJ is saying that Lewis Hamilton is close to signing for Mercedes, one needs to listen." He goes on to express scepticism, saying that the move would be a bad one for Lewis.
Both Hamilton and McLaren have been negotiating in public, with Lewis saying that he would be doing much less PR work in future, and Ron Dennis saying that Lewis would have to take a pay cut to stay at Woking.
This story may well be more of the same.
Edited by Bradgate on Wednesday 5th September 22:48
Personally I would prefer Hamilton to stay at Mclaren as I think he and Button get on pretty well and he would be more likely to win a championship there than at Mercedes.
Hamilton will not go to Mercedes just for a guaranteed Mercedes engines for 2014 as all the engine suppliers will supply two,three or four teams as they will need to recoup costs.
Maclaren are probably offering less money to Hamilton than before as they will have to pay for Mercedes engines next year,the leaking of information on twitter, his lack of focus over the last two years and the knowledge that he does not have a better team to move to as Red Bull and Ferrari told his management team they did not want him..The Mercedes link is probably a way of his management to up the price a bit and if he moved to mercedes it will be all about money and not championship ambitions.
In most jobs if you posted confidential company information on twitter you would more than likely get the sack and if it was another menber of the team that would have probably happened.So Mclaren want Hamilton for next year as he still has a job.
Hamilton will not go to Mercedes just for a guaranteed Mercedes engines for 2014 as all the engine suppliers will supply two,three or four teams as they will need to recoup costs.
Maclaren are probably offering less money to Hamilton than before as they will have to pay for Mercedes engines next year,the leaking of information on twitter, his lack of focus over the last two years and the knowledge that he does not have a better team to move to as Red Bull and Ferrari told his management team they did not want him..The Mercedes link is probably a way of his management to up the price a bit and if he moved to mercedes it will be all about money and not championship ambitions.
In most jobs if you posted confidential company information on twitter you would more than likely get the sack and if it was another menber of the team that would have probably happened.So Mclaren want Hamilton for next year as he still has a job.
Edited by btcc123 on Wednesday 5th September 21:21
Bradgate said:
F1 journo Joe Saward blogged:
"Eddie Jordan is close to Bernie Ecclestone and it is not unusual for EJ to be used to put out stories. So if EJ is saying that Lewis Hamilton is close to signing for Mercedes, one needs to listen." He goes on to express scepticism, saying that the move would be a bad one for Lewis.
Both Hamilton and McLaren have been negotiating in public, with Lewis saying that he would be doing less PR work in future, and Ron Dennis saying that Lewis would have to take a pay cut to stay at Woking.
This story could be ore of the same.
Interesting.....I recall Bernie saying before the season started that he thought this would be Hamilton's last year at McLaren."Eddie Jordan is close to Bernie Ecclestone and it is not unusual for EJ to be used to put out stories. So if EJ is saying that Lewis Hamilton is close to signing for Mercedes, one needs to listen." He goes on to express scepticism, saying that the move would be a bad one for Lewis.
Both Hamilton and McLaren have been negotiating in public, with Lewis saying that he would be doing less PR work in future, and Ron Dennis saying that Lewis would have to take a pay cut to stay at Woking.
This story could be ore of the same.
The only difference between McLaren and Mercedes at the moment is Mercedes are losing by a bigger margin than McLaren are losing by......but it's still losing.
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