Lewis will remain at McLaren for his entire F1 career...
Discussion
It would appear that Lewis has pledged to stay with McLaren until he's had enough of F1. Is this the right thing to say so early in his career?
Does history show that staying loyal to one team is a good thing?
It certainly didn't effect Schumacher when he left Bennetton to join an under performing Ferrari.
Could Lewis ever be pursuaded to drive for another team if the cheque book was big enough?
Does history show that staying loyal to one team is a good thing?
It certainly didn't effect Schumacher when he left Bennetton to join an under performing Ferrari.
Could Lewis ever be pursuaded to drive for another team if the cheque book was big enough?
motormania said:
It certainly didn't effect Schumacher when he left Bennetton to join an under performing Ferrari.
Is this the real demonstration of a 'complete driver package' as Alonso has also proved towards the end of this season?Sorry that doesnt really answer your question, depends if McLaren slip out of the top 3 teams I guess.... but then again will Lewis be the integral part of the team that ensures this doesnt happen?
I hope and think he will stay. He seems a genuine person and i don't think that for one that many other teams could offer more money and also i don't think he is bothered too much about having a big money contract. I know this is probably easy to say when you have money but i don't think he's lying about that. When Clarkson interviewed him he said he'd hardly spent anything, he seems like a bloke that enjoys the more simple things in life.
This will ensure he has more than equal status for his career.
To be honest, it's good he is pledging a degree of loyalty to the people that gave him his chance.
It's a pity more drivers do not show some loyalty rather than following the cheque book by their noses. (Obviously his decision does have some financial sway in it)
To be honest, it's good he is pledging a degree of loyalty to the people that gave him his chance.
It's a pity more drivers do not show some loyalty rather than following the cheque book by their noses. (Obviously his decision does have some financial sway in it)
Cara Van Man said:
This will ensure he has more than equal status for his career.
To be honest, it's good he is pledging a degree of loyalty to the people that gave him his chance.
It's a pity more drivers do not show some loyalty rather than following the cheque book by their noses. (Obviously his decision does have some financial sway in it)
Exactly right To be honest, it's good he is pledging a degree of loyalty to the people that gave him his chance.
It's a pity more drivers do not show some loyalty rather than following the cheque book by their noses. (Obviously his decision does have some financial sway in it)
I hope that he is loyal for the remainder of his career.
It is a fact, however, that 23 year-olds cannot be expected to make long-term commitments. Even if Hamilton were not to change, what if McLaren were to change? It's far from inconceivable that Mercedes would take control in the next few years, and the ethos of the team turned on its head? Alternatively, what if der Floggermeister were to get his wish and McLaren were to be massively damaged, or destroyed?
As I say, I hope he stays, and it's great that he's pledged his loyalty, which is a rare thing these days, but I'm not going to bank on it.
Someone advised me many years ago to expect most Joint Ventures end in failure and the only part of a JV Agreement you need to read is the exit clause. At present the McMerc/LH - car/driver synergism is working fine and as a consequence their JV is stable. However, if that synergy were to begin to fall away the partnership would be likely to come under strain.
Although LH's qualities as a racer have been proven at the highest level, does he have the skills to develop a car in the way that, for example, MS was able to do at Ferrari? It seems to me the change to the regulations for 2009 may place considerable emphasis on the car development element of a driver's skill set.
Although LH's qualities as a racer have been proven at the highest level, does he have the skills to develop a car in the way that, for example, MS was able to do at Ferrari? It seems to me the change to the regulations for 2009 may place considerable emphasis on the car development element of a driver's skill set.
lowndes said:
Although LH's qualities as a racer have been proven at the highest level, does he have the skills to develop a car in the way that, for example, MS was able to do at Ferrari? It seems to me the change to the regulations for 2009 may place considerable emphasis on the car development element of a driver's skill set.
By the time Schumacher joined Ferrari he had two World Championships and a number of year's experience in F1, not to mention taking a good chunk of the brains with him from Benetton.I would expect that in 3 or 4 years time Hamilton will have an even better understanding of helping to develop a car, not that he did a bad job this year.
I hope he stays;
1 thing though did he say I want to stay at Mclaren my whole career or I will - cos they can mean different things.
I think he is more likely to be swayed by Mclaren falling off the pace than a bigger wage. I am surehe meant I would love to stay at Mclaren thining if he earns the same sort of money, Mclaren gel as well as they do and provide him with a car as competitive as it is now....which is likely as Mclaren have been there or thereabouts with ferrai for years and years.
As someone else said I don't think he will be swayed by a pay cheque, he is forecast to become likely as the first $1 billion sportsman (so earns enough) and does lead a quiet life on his downtime living in Switzerland etc. For example when he got back to England instead of going to a big party/fancy restaurant because he can, he took Nicole out to watch the bond movie at his local cinema LOL.
I think is feet are firmly on the ground which is what is great about him.
1 thing though did he say I want to stay at Mclaren my whole career or I will - cos they can mean different things.
I think he is more likely to be swayed by Mclaren falling off the pace than a bigger wage. I am surehe meant I would love to stay at Mclaren thining if he earns the same sort of money, Mclaren gel as well as they do and provide him with a car as competitive as it is now....which is likely as Mclaren have been there or thereabouts with ferrai for years and years.
As someone else said I don't think he will be swayed by a pay cheque, he is forecast to become likely as the first $1 billion sportsman (so earns enough) and does lead a quiet life on his downtime living in Switzerland etc. For example when he got back to England instead of going to a big party/fancy restaurant because he can, he took Nicole out to watch the bond movie at his local cinema LOL.
I think is feet are firmly on the ground which is what is great about him.
Most of the development is done via computer simulation, wind tunnel testing and four post test rig analysis these days, testing mileage is quite limited. I don't see any issues with the car development, especially with such a technology invested setup as at McLaren.
Once you find yourself gelling with the team, and they are capable of providing the equipment, it makes sense to stick with that, it's worked many times in the past with the likes of Jackie Stewart and Ken Tyrell. Although shuey moved, he only did it the once with the knowledge he was going to build a team around him for the long term, with a company with the money and facilities to win consistently.
Once you find yourself gelling with the team, and they are capable of providing the equipment, it makes sense to stick with that, it's worked many times in the past with the likes of Jackie Stewart and Ken Tyrell. Although shuey moved, he only did it the once with the knowledge he was going to build a team around him for the long term, with a company with the money and facilities to win consistently.
lowndes said:
Agreed. So does that leave McLaren more vulnerable with the 2009 car? Presumably much of this year's successful car was developed last year and to that extent is likely to have benefitted during the formative stages from input from FA.
I think it unlikely that FA provided much useful input, given the bad blood, even at an early stage in the 2007 season. He didn't even give them his secret Ferrari information.So!!! the Experts on PH who know these things, think that OUR world champ needs all their advice on his future.This future billion dollar man has been brought up by his father to appreciate the best values of life.
Now after ALL the hard work and as OUR World champ, he shows his pedigree by going off to the local fleapit to take in JBond Esq with Nicole, then going home to Tewin, hertfordshire for a good roastup with the family.
You think Maranello can get within spitting distance of this ???????????????
Now after ALL the hard work and as OUR World champ, he shows his pedigree by going off to the local fleapit to take in JBond Esq with Nicole, then going home to Tewin, hertfordshire for a good roastup with the family.
You think Maranello can get within spitting distance of this ???????????????
flemke said:
der Floggermeister
Very good.flemke said:
As I say, I hope he stays, and it's great that he's pledged his loyalty, which is a rare thing these days, but I'm not going to bank on it.
Me neither but as you say a nice thing to do. Years ago drivers wanted to drive for Ferrari but that was when the Old Man was running the team, these days it just does have the same lure. flemke said:
As I say, I hope he stays, and it's great that he's pledged his loyalty, which is a rare thing these days, but I'm not going to bank on it.
Indeed, people seem to be attaching a lot of importance to his statement, but he's a young man with a long future in the sport ahead of him. If McLaren were suddenly uncompetitive and other teams looked a better prospect for race wins and championships then he'd be insane not to think of moving on. The best drivers always end up in the best cars.
Lewis proclaiming his desire to stay at McLaren for the rest of his career is indeed a good thing to hear. Not least of all from a sponsorship perspective. As many others have already said it is quite possible that McLaren will change and he will leave but the fact he has said it will mean a great deal to many people.
D
D
He wouldn't want to be staying with them if their car fell off the pace (see Petter Solberg), but I don't see that happening.
Loyalty like this will probably encourage more teams to scout for and support young talent, if they knew that if their guy made it to the top he would have some loyalty - a good thing.
Loyalty like this will probably encourage more teams to scout for and support young talent, if they knew that if their guy made it to the top he would have some loyalty - a good thing.
robwales said:
He wouldn't want to be staying with them if their car fell off the pace (see Petter Solberg), but I don't see that happening.
In reference to the second half of the sentence, that's probably what Williams thought aswell and we all know what happened there.Formula 1 is cyclical. Ferrari may have dominated the last 8 years but they were nowhere during much of the nineties.
It's an honourable pledge and his emotions are high at the moment, but seriously, does anyone honestly believe he'll stay if his chances of winning are compromised by an un-competitive car at some point in the future.
He'd leave and Ron knows it. What was Ron's line again "second is first of the losers".
As an aside, why race a second car then Ron...?
Edited by Jamesf288 on Thursday 6th November 22:36
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff