Hamilton 'undecided' on 2013
Sep 6, 2012 | 12:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,921
From: Mystery Land
Hamilton 'undecided' on 2013 Hamilton 'undecided' on 2013
Would be interesting to see Schumacher moving out and Hamilton replacing him. Hamilton clearly states that he needs a right place to win.
BBC Sport - Lewis Hamilton insists his plans for 2013 are undecided
BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan reported on Wednesday that Hamilton, whose McLaren contract runs out this year, had agreed terms with Mercedes.
But when asked if he knew which team he would be with for 2013, Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, said: "No."
The 27-year-old Briton added: "I want to win. Just need to think of the right place to do so."
But he echoed his management's statement on Wednesday that he was "in advanced negotiations with McLaren", adding: "That's what we're working on."
Hamilton, who drives alongside fellow Briton Jenson Button at McLaren, said he did not have a deadline for a decision and insisted he was focused on the remaining eight races of the current campaign.
"I'm in a great position and I just need to focus on the preparations for these races," he said.
"There is a long way to go. Jenson has shown we have great potential in our car and team. That's what I need to focus on."
Hamilton has had a mixed season so far. He won in Canada and Hungary but lies fifth in the standings, 47 points adrift of leader Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari.
But Button believes his countryman will remain with McLaren.
"I think I'll have the same team-mate next year because this is the best place for him," said Button, speaking at an official news conference ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
"If you're in the same place for too long, it can get a bit stale, but not here. This is a great team and a team that's always giving us a chance to fight for wins. Michael has a huge amount to offer. I'm very happy with his performance. ”
Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn
"Whether we've had the chance to fight for the championship, that's another question, but they always give you the possibility of winning grands prix and that's what a driver wants.
"I don't think anything will change next year in terms of driver line-ups, but I might be wrong."
Speculation about Hamilton's future has gathered pace in recent days.
The Englishman, who has spent his entire F1 career with McLaren, found himself in trouble during at last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix for tweeting sensitive technical information about the McLaren cars.
Then the BBC revealed he was poised to join Mercedes after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone hinted that seven-time champion Michael Schumacher was to retire and leave the team.
Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn said a decision on his team's driver line-up was "still some way off".
"Lewis is a very good driver, an excellent driver," said Brawn. "We want to be a team that every driver wants to drive for."
But he added: "Michael has a huge amount to offer. I'm very happy with his performance. We have to find a solution together."
Schumacher, who came out of retirement in 2010, said he had yet to make a decision about his future but added that he was aware of the claims made by Jordan.
"There is no comment. Eddie can have his point of view," said the 43-year-old German, who insisted he was sticking to his original assertion that it would be October before he would make a decision. "I may regret giving that date, but I guess by then we'll have something to tell you."
But when asked if he knew which team he would be with for 2013, Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, said: "No."
The 27-year-old Briton added: "I want to win. Just need to think of the right place to do so."
But he echoed his management's statement on Wednesday that he was "in advanced negotiations with McLaren", adding: "That's what we're working on."
Hamilton, who drives alongside fellow Briton Jenson Button at McLaren, said he did not have a deadline for a decision and insisted he was focused on the remaining eight races of the current campaign.
"I'm in a great position and I just need to focus on the preparations for these races," he said.
"There is a long way to go. Jenson has shown we have great potential in our car and team. That's what I need to focus on."
Hamilton has had a mixed season so far. He won in Canada and Hungary but lies fifth in the standings, 47 points adrift of leader Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari.
But Button believes his countryman will remain with McLaren.
"I think I'll have the same team-mate next year because this is the best place for him," said Button, speaking at an official news conference ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
"If you're in the same place for too long, it can get a bit stale, but not here. This is a great team and a team that's always giving us a chance to fight for wins. Michael has a huge amount to offer. I'm very happy with his performance. ”
Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn
"Whether we've had the chance to fight for the championship, that's another question, but they always give you the possibility of winning grands prix and that's what a driver wants.
"I don't think anything will change next year in terms of driver line-ups, but I might be wrong."
Speculation about Hamilton's future has gathered pace in recent days.
The Englishman, who has spent his entire F1 career with McLaren, found himself in trouble during at last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix for tweeting sensitive technical information about the McLaren cars.
Then the BBC revealed he was poised to join Mercedes after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone hinted that seven-time champion Michael Schumacher was to retire and leave the team.
Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn said a decision on his team's driver line-up was "still some way off".
"Lewis is a very good driver, an excellent driver," said Brawn. "We want to be a team that every driver wants to drive for."
But he added: "Michael has a huge amount to offer. I'm very happy with his performance. We have to find a solution together."
Schumacher, who came out of retirement in 2010, said he had yet to make a decision about his future but added that he was aware of the claims made by Jordan.
"There is no comment. Eddie can have his point of view," said the 43-year-old German, who insisted he was sticking to his original assertion that it would be October before he would make a decision. "I may regret giving that date, but I guess by then we'll have something to tell you."
Sep 6, 2012 | 01:22 PM
#3
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,179
From: San Francisco | Jakarta | Taipei
this topic has been thrashed around on fchat and the conversations over there are entertaining to say the least.
I personally highly doubt Hamilton will make the move over to Mercedes unless...
• They're throwing a boatload more money at him (heart of McLaren negotiations)
• Gets to keep his GP trophies (heart of McLaren negotiations also)
• He really believes the team is in conspiracy with Button for the WDC title
He has to be significantly incentivized to even consider walking away from a clearly faster, reliable car and consistent top team like McLaren, to settle for a midfield team like Mercedes who have a clearly slower and unreliable car.
I'll wager $100 he stays at McLaren, any takers?
I personally highly doubt Hamilton will make the move over to Mercedes unless...
• They're throwing a boatload more money at him (heart of McLaren negotiations)
• Gets to keep his GP trophies (heart of McLaren negotiations also)
• He really believes the team is in conspiracy with Button for the WDC title
He has to be significantly incentivized to even consider walking away from a clearly faster, reliable car and consistent top team like McLaren, to settle for a midfield team like Mercedes who have a clearly slower and unreliable car.
I'll wager $100 he stays at McLaren, any takers?
Last edited by alwin; Sep 6, 2012 at 01:23 PM.
Sep 6, 2012 | 02:53 PM
#5
F yeah!!! tit got me a silver bar..
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,618
this topic has been thrashed around on fchat and the conversations over there are entertaining to say the least.
I personally highly doubt Hamilton will make the move over to Mercedes unless...
• They're throwing a boatload more money at him (heart of McLaren negotiations)
• Gets to keep his GP trophies (heart of McLaren negotiations also)
• He really believes the team is in conspiracy with Button for the WDC title
He has to be significantly incentivized to even consider walking away from a clearly faster, reliable car and consistent top team like McLaren, to settle for a midfield team like Mercedes who have a clearly slower and unreliable car.
I'll wager $100 he stays at McLaren, any takers?
I personally highly doubt Hamilton will make the move over to Mercedes unless...
• They're throwing a boatload more money at him (heart of McLaren negotiations)
• Gets to keep his GP trophies (heart of McLaren negotiations also)
• He really believes the team is in conspiracy with Button for the WDC title
He has to be significantly incentivized to even consider walking away from a clearly faster, reliable car and consistent top team like McLaren, to settle for a midfield team like Mercedes who have a clearly slower and unreliable car.
I'll wager $100 he stays at McLaren, any takers?
How do you know that the Mercedes car will be midfield next year?
Sep 6, 2012 | 03:03 PM
#6
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,179
From: San Francisco | Jakarta | Taipei
Personally, I think it's like the development race between the teams; no one top team will just stop development on the car...so, if you think Mercedes will improve by 'x' through the season, what makes you think the other top teams won't improve by 'x' as well? I don't think they have what Ferrari has (resource + budget wise) to commit to F1 and do whatever it takes to turn a pos car around so dramatically as Ferrari has done this season.
The 2nd half of this season will definitely be more telling, as teams who are out of contention for the WDC and WCC titles stop development on the 2012 cars and focus more of their efforts on their 2013 setups.
Last edited by alwin; Sep 6, 2012 at 03:05 PM.
Sep 6, 2012 | 03:28 PM
#7
F yeah!!! tit got me a silver bar..
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,618
^Okay hold on.
1. According to your theory no team should be able to beat the winning team, as all teams get better by x amount and the previous winner has a lead, so i guess everyone else is smoked?
2. Remember Brawn and Red bull???
3. Budget wise, well i don't know how much Mercedes is willing to spend on this adventure in F1, but i guess you can figure out if both Ferrari and Mercedes went on with a no limit budget ( no such thing exists) who would be able to flex their muscles harder, cause last time i checked Mercedes was a pretty large car company
So once again, Hamilton does not know nor do you or i what the next season holds, and which team will come out winning or even competitive.
Only thing he could find out is the willingness of Mercedes GP to invest into becoming a winning team.
And i somehow get the feeling that they got into this with the intention to win, and 2 years into the project they wont just abandon and give up.
And you certainly DO NOT want to give up if you try to acquire talent like LH, especially for that insane amount of money!
You could do a half ass effort without the pain of having a hot head with a notorious winner mentality and a monstrous salary on the roster
1. According to your theory no team should be able to beat the winning team, as all teams get better by x amount and the previous winner has a lead, so i guess everyone else is smoked?
2. Remember Brawn and Red bull???
3. Budget wise, well i don't know how much Mercedes is willing to spend on this adventure in F1, but i guess you can figure out if both Ferrari and Mercedes went on with a no limit budget ( no such thing exists) who would be able to flex their muscles harder, cause last time i checked Mercedes was a pretty large car company
So once again, Hamilton does not know nor do you or i what the next season holds, and which team will come out winning or even competitive.
Only thing he could find out is the willingness of Mercedes GP to invest into becoming a winning team.
And i somehow get the feeling that they got into this with the intention to win, and 2 years into the project they wont just abandon and give up.
And you certainly DO NOT want to give up if you try to acquire talent like LH, especially for that insane amount of money!
You could do a half ass effort without the pain of having a hot head with a notorious winner mentality and a monstrous salary on the roster
Sep 6, 2012 | 09:31 PM
#8
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,179
From: San Francisco | Jakarta | Taipei
1. No, I just said the development race is very tight and Mercedes has already put in 2 years into developing their car to no real success. What makes you think suddenly they're going to be able to "out-develop" the rest esp. when everyone is constantly developing their cars.
2. Brawn isn't a driver...and neither is he a Newey =)
3. Budget, future, moniker everything really is a HUGE question mark right now...it's not even clear if Mercedes will remain in F1 beyond 2012; they have yet to sign the new Concorde agreement by Bernie and if the team even has a say on whether they can remain in F1 if Bernie is indeed indicted+charged with bribery etc. If Bernie gets charged, Mercedes' tight ethical policies won't permit any business ties of any kind to corrupt channels ie Bernie ie F1.
And it's exactly because of all that uncertainty, who in their right mind would leave a consistently winning team with a consistently contending/fast car that is guaranteed to remain in F1 for utter uncertainty and a team that so far has proven only to be a decent mid-fielder?
2. Brawn isn't a driver...and neither is he a Newey =)
3. Budget, future, moniker everything really is a HUGE question mark right now...it's not even clear if Mercedes will remain in F1 beyond 2012; they have yet to sign the new Concorde agreement by Bernie and if the team even has a say on whether they can remain in F1 if Bernie is indeed indicted+charged with bribery etc. If Bernie gets charged, Mercedes' tight ethical policies won't permit any business ties of any kind to corrupt channels ie Bernie ie F1.
And it's exactly because of all that uncertainty, who in their right mind would leave a consistently winning team with a consistently contending/fast car that is guaranteed to remain in F1 for utter uncertainty and a team that so far has proven only to be a decent mid-fielder?
^Okay hold on.
1. According to your theory no team should be able to beat the winning team, as all teams get better by x amount and the previous winner has a lead, so i guess everyone else is smoked?
2. Remember Brawn and Red bull???
3. Budget wise, well i don't know how much Mercedes is willing to spend on this adventure in F1, but i guess you can figure out if both Ferrari and Mercedes went on with a no limit budget ( no such thing exists) who would be able to flex their muscles harder, cause last time i checked Mercedes was a pretty large car company
So once again, Hamilton does not know nor do you or i what the next season holds, and which team will come out winning or even competitive.
Only thing he could find out is the willingness of Mercedes GP to invest into becoming a winning team.
And i somehow get the feeling that they got into this with the intention to win, and 2 years into the project they wont just abandon and give up.
And you certainly DO NOT want to give up if you try to acquire talent like LH, especially for that insane amount of money!
You could do a half ass effort without the pain of having a hot head with a notorious winner mentality and a monstrous salary on the roster
1. According to your theory no team should be able to beat the winning team, as all teams get better by x amount and the previous winner has a lead, so i guess everyone else is smoked?
2. Remember Brawn and Red bull???
3. Budget wise, well i don't know how much Mercedes is willing to spend on this adventure in F1, but i guess you can figure out if both Ferrari and Mercedes went on with a no limit budget ( no such thing exists) who would be able to flex their muscles harder, cause last time i checked Mercedes was a pretty large car company
So once again, Hamilton does not know nor do you or i what the next season holds, and which team will come out winning or even competitive.
Only thing he could find out is the willingness of Mercedes GP to invest into becoming a winning team.
And i somehow get the feeling that they got into this with the intention to win, and 2 years into the project they wont just abandon and give up.
And you certainly DO NOT want to give up if you try to acquire talent like LH, especially for that insane amount of money!
You could do a half ass effort without the pain of having a hot head with a notorious winner mentality and a monstrous salary on the roster
Last edited by alwin; Sep 6, 2012 at 09:37 PM.
