Hamilton to Mercedes
Discussion
I really hope it happens. The Hamilton-Mclaren thing has stagnated. Both need a kick up the butt to re-invigorate some life into each other.
I also think McL have really lost the plot at the moment and I don't see anyone winning much there with things as they are.
I would dearly love to see Hamilton working for Ross Brawn.
I also think McL have really lost the plot at the moment and I don't see anyone winning much there with things as they are.
I would dearly love to see Hamilton working for Ross Brawn.
AlpineWhite said:
The last to Grands Prix not counting for much obviously.
Well let's see what the championship tally is over the next 2-3 years. Currently, McL are well off the lead of both of them.Each year it seems the same, a few wins but no championships, accompanied by lot's of errors at technical and human levels.
If they could come up with a consistent performance before halfway through the season it would help.
Crafty_ said:
Engine deal with McLaren ends next year.
McLaren have long been rumoured to want to make their own engine, might be the right time.
It is alleged Merc only want to supply their own team. At the same time there is apparently some thought to scaling down their involvement and renaming the team AMG F1, it seems they don't want a "full" works team.
Are you sure? I thought McLaren had an option for Mercedes engines until 2016. I am probably wrong on this one but with only 3 engine suppliers available for the 2014 grid, who else will McLaren go for? The partnership has been going on since 1995. Why change? I see no benefit with a McLaren-Ferrari or McLaren-Renault deal, it makes no sense.McLaren have long been rumoured to want to make their own engine, might be the right time.
It is alleged Merc only want to supply their own team. At the same time there is apparently some thought to scaling down their involvement and renaming the team AMG F1, it seems they don't want a "full" works team.
Crafty_ said:
Engine deal with McLaren ends next year.
McLaren have long been rumoured to want to make their own engine, might be the right time.
It is alleged Merc only want to supply their own team. At the same time there is apparently some thought to scaling down their involvement and renaming the team AMG F1, it seems they don't want a "full" works team.
McLaren making their own engine, are you having a laugh? Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault, so far the only manufacturers who actually have a full dyno running 2014 engine on the test bench. It has taken them 2 years just to get to this stage. Where are McLaren going to suddenly find this so called "own" engine from? The relationship they have with Mercedes is a winning combination and both companies benefit from it so I see no reason why they should change. Craig Pollocks "PURE" engine was the only other option but that fell flat on its face a few months ago.McLaren have long been rumoured to want to make their own engine, might be the right time.
It is alleged Merc only want to supply their own team. At the same time there is apparently some thought to scaling down their involvement and renaming the team AMG F1, it seems they don't want a "full" works team.
The 2014 grid will be powered by 3 engines unless the FIA make last minute provisions to allow lesser teams to use a reduced power V8 like they did when engine regulations changed from V10s to V8s.
Its the usual half way point silly season talk. There are 3 top team seats up for grabs this year with Lewis, Schumi and Massa contracts all expiring at the end of the year.
Drivers do talk to other teams as Mark Webber recently admitted talking strongly with Ferrari before deciding to re-sign for Redbull.
Lewis is in the same boat, its a long negotiation process. He himself said last week that his decision will be a business decision. Business decision is based on the potential for success and not salary.
Mercedes AMG could really do with Lewis, both as a driver and for marketing PR. They will also no doubt pay the bigger wage but McLaren have the tools and the infrastructure to give Lewis a better chance of winning races and championships. McLaren is in his blood and like a Mika Hakkinen I believe he is a one man team for life. (Before you jump on my back, I know! Mika drove for Lotus in 91 and 92)
Drivers do talk to other teams as Mark Webber recently admitted talking strongly with Ferrari before deciding to re-sign for Redbull.
Lewis is in the same boat, its a long negotiation process. He himself said last week that his decision will be a business decision. Business decision is based on the potential for success and not salary.
Mercedes AMG could really do with Lewis, both as a driver and for marketing PR. They will also no doubt pay the bigger wage but McLaren have the tools and the infrastructure to give Lewis a better chance of winning races and championships. McLaren is in his blood and like a Mika Hakkinen I believe he is a one man team for life. (Before you jump on my back, I know! Mika drove for Lotus in 91 and 92)
Sofoklis said:
McLaren making their own engine, are you having a laugh? Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault, so far the only manufacturers who actually have a full dyno running 2014 engine on the test bench. It has taken them 2 years just to get to this stage. Where are McLaren going to suddenly find this so called "own" engine from? The relationship they have with Mercedes is a winning combination and both companies benefit from it so I see no reason why they should change. Craig Pollocks "PURE" engine was the only other option but that fell flat on its face a few months ago.
The 2014 grid will be powered by 3 engines unless the FIA make last minute provisions to allow lesser teams to use a reduced power V8 like they did when engine regulations changed from V10s to V8s.
McLaren already have their own engine in the MP4-12C, they are more than capable of producing a race engine if they chose to.The 2014 grid will be powered by 3 engines unless the FIA make last minute provisions to allow lesser teams to use a reduced power V8 like they did when engine regulations changed from V10s to V8s.
This is what Ross Brawn had to say about Schumacher only five or so days ago. Hamilton's constant on/off good/bad state of mind, being in a bad place and all that self pitying crap does not fit.
http://www.sportinglife.com/formula1/news/article/...
http://www.sportinglife.com/formula1/news/article/...
It's tricky to see beyond the PR smokescreen that all teams put out.
Personally, If I was McLaren, I'd be sending Lewis his P45.
His tweet was completely unnecessary and pointless other than to alienate his team and employer. He has evolved into a driver who thinks he is bigger than the team. He has become a loose cannon. I'm not saying McLaren have been perfect, but they have the luxury of paying his salary.
Whilst there is no doubting that Lewis is newsworthy, there becomes a point where his newsworthyness becomes a liability rather than an asset. Now I'm not a marketing man, but I think that point if not reached already is looming large.
Who to replace him with?
Grosjean maybe? Clearly fast, clearly happy (apart from Spa) and I would think malleable to Mclarens way of presenting themselves.
Just my tuppence worth...
Personally, If I was McLaren, I'd be sending Lewis his P45.
His tweet was completely unnecessary and pointless other than to alienate his team and employer. He has evolved into a driver who thinks he is bigger than the team. He has become a loose cannon. I'm not saying McLaren have been perfect, but they have the luxury of paying his salary.
Whilst there is no doubting that Lewis is newsworthy, there becomes a point where his newsworthyness becomes a liability rather than an asset. Now I'm not a marketing man, but I think that point if not reached already is looming large.
Who to replace him with?
Grosjean maybe? Clearly fast, clearly happy (apart from Spa) and I would think malleable to Mclarens way of presenting themselves.
Just my tuppence worth...
johnfelstead said:
McLaren already have their own engine in the MP4-12C, they are more than capable of producing a race engine if they chose to.
McLaren are a manufacturer and a constructor. They may have a McLaren badged engine in the 12C road car but McLaren do not produce engines. They do not have the infrastructure as yet to design, test and produce engines. I am not saying that they wont venture into this specialist field in the future but hell will freeze over before McLaren have an internally designed and produced engine for the 2014 Formula 1 campaign. 
heebeegeetee said:
I really hope it happens. The Hamilton-Mclaren thing has stagnated. Both need a kick up the butt to re-invigorate some life into each other.
I also think McL have really lost the plot at the moment and I don't see anyone winning much there with things as they are.
I would dearly love to see Hamilton working for Ross Brawn.
Even if your lover boy Schumacher has to bite the bullet & retire (as was hilariously revealed in another 'forgot that was confidential' moment by Bernie on Sunday?I also think McL have really lost the plot at the moment and I don't see anyone winning much there with things as they are.
I would dearly love to see Hamilton working for Ross Brawn.
PS I agree with you about 'brain-fade twitter-twit' Hamilton and McLaren.
Edited by CiderwithCerbie on Thursday 6th September 02:57
Perhaps this is Bernie trying to paint a compelling picture for Mercedes’ board to support a maintained presence in F1? With heavy investment and little to show for it, Schumacher’s profile can keep everybody interested only so far. Bernie has effectively already portrayed Michael as yesterday’s man.
By suggesting a future involving a proven, superstar, championship-winning racer with a ‘generation y’ following in a silver arrow, and in effect daring Hamilton’s management to deny it – which they won’t, in the midst of contract negotiations with Mclaren – and equally daring Mercedes to deny it or claim penury – which they won’t, for obvious reasons – perhaps Bernie thinks he can provoke a bidding war for Lewis’ services motivated by a renewed desire by Mercedes to win races and championships? And, of course, if Mercedes sign – or even offer to – Hamilton, they must in reality sign up to the new Concorde agreement first.
If that is so, it is actually a very clever move, and one with no downside for Bernie.
By suggesting a future involving a proven, superstar, championship-winning racer with a ‘generation y’ following in a silver arrow, and in effect daring Hamilton’s management to deny it – which they won’t, in the midst of contract negotiations with Mclaren – and equally daring Mercedes to deny it or claim penury – which they won’t, for obvious reasons – perhaps Bernie thinks he can provoke a bidding war for Lewis’ services motivated by a renewed desire by Mercedes to win races and championships? And, of course, if Mercedes sign – or even offer to – Hamilton, they must in reality sign up to the new Concorde agreement first.
If that is so, it is actually a very clever move, and one with no downside for Bernie.
Just heard EJ on 5 Live and it sounds even more like complete speculation. He brought the Spice Girls into the conversation, mentioned that Lewis was upset that Mclaren hampered his frequent trips to LA and the Beckham Global brand s
te. All things I'm sure Mercedes would be very interested in promoting.
te. All things I'm sure Mercedes would be very interested in promoting.Edited by SRT77 on Thursday 6th September 09:13
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