Would Lewis ever leave McLaren?

[chris_w]

Ok, fast forward three or four years, Hamilton has a couple of titles in his pocket and is now considered the new Schuey; the new F1 benchmark. But Mercedes have left F1, McLaren are struggling whilst Sato is cleaning up in the Honda (this is hypothetical remember!), does Hamilton stick out the bad times or switch to another team that will keep him in touch with the front? I worry that he is too much part of the family there that he could ever cut the apron strings and do what's best for his career...

[TheOriginalGT40]

I think you need a new crystal ball

However your latter comment is interesting, considering the amnount of money that Ron has invested into him. Would Ron really like to see that investment winning with another team, I don't know.

I guess we will never know the implications of that deal which was signed all those years ago...

[chris_w]

TheOriginalGT40 said:

I guess we will never know the implications of that deal which was signed all those years ago...

That's a good point, whilst Ron would undeniably be reluctant to lose Lewis (on current form), is he contractually obliged to stay?

I was thinking more in terms of Lewis's sense of loyalty to the team/man that gave him the opportunity to race in F1, would he feel obliged to stick with an ailing McLaren or would his competitive instinct overrule?

[woof]

Lewis should have at least another 12 - 15 years of F1 in ahead of him
(how boring would it be if he wins 8 championships from now till 2020 ! )

Mika of course stayed with Mclaren for almost his whole F1 career (2 yrs at Lotus then 8 yrs at Mc) but I can't see any driver staying put for much longer - unless the car was still ultra competitive

Remember Ron will be taking some backwards steps away from Mclaren over the next few years

[kevin ritson]

Right now he has no need to leave. However it's well-known that pretty much any contract in F1 is breakable (subject to the Contract Recognition Board), so it's up to Ron to provide the cars and the salary, no reason why he won't, it took 5 seasons and no decent engine deals on the horizon for Senna to leave (and even then an affinity with Frank Williams probably helped the move) - Mercedes own part of McLaren, so the most likely reason is to prove himself at a different team.

[Muzzer]

chris_w said:

Ok, fast forward three or four years, Hamilton has a couple of titles in his pocket and is now considered the new Schuey; the new F1 benchmark. But Mercedes have left F1, McLaren are struggling whilst Sato is cleaning up in the Honda (this is hypothetical remember!), does Hamilton stick out the bad times or switch to another team that will keep him in touch with the front? I worry that he is too much part of the family there that he could ever cut the apron strings and do what's best for his career...

Interesting question.

I think it depends on how humble Lewis will be. At the moment he's very loyal to McLaren and feels very indebted to them for giving him his big break. You didn't see that with Alonso or Schuey, the latter especially seeing as he jetted right off to Benetton after only one race at Jordan.

Saying that, neither Alonso or Schumacher stepped straight into a winning car so comparisons in their early careers are hard to make.

I think Lewis may just get a couple of championships with McLaren, then see how the field is. He knows that to be considered amongst the greats you have to win championships with different teams.

He is however unique in that no F1 team has brought a driver through the rankings from such an early age that has been so successful. It reminds me more of a footballer being brought through the schoolboy squad to the first team. One could argue that a schoolboy footballer for Man Utd has no need to ever leave once he is older as they are always winning. But then would the challenge be greater somewhere else?

Ron is going. But don't forget the Whitmarsh has been number 2 for quite a while therefore I wouldn't expect wholesale changes...

[belleair302]

If Mercedes sell their shareholding in McLaren and Lewis Hamilton wins two World Championships with the team....possibly Toyota or BMW will knock on his door and make him an offer he cannot refuse. Truly great drivers these days will change teams and see if they can reperat their performance elsewhere. Alonso will improve his performance but If McLaren lose the plot, Lewis Hamilton will go...and who knows about some of the other new drivers appearing. Nick H is the next great driver, a possible World Champion as is his team-mate Kubica. Kimi NO, Massa maybe, and beyond that nobody really shines.

[runway78]

Two sides to this.
1. His contract with his current team.
2 I am sure he is under a long term management contract under Ron Dennis.
One day he may well leave but i think that would be in a good few years time when both of the above would have run out.