[Closed] F1 Driver Merry-go-round about to start? (possible potential spoiler)

Hamilton hasn't really seemed happy this season (as much as you can tell from the TV/media anyway), even when he's won. Disillusionment with his situation at McLaren is probably a big factor, as much as the money and the potential for championships- maybe he just doesn't want to be there any more?

Aren't there still question marks about Merc's long-term commitment to F1 though? At least you know McLaren aren't going anywhere.

Good move by Perez though, be good to see what he can do next year- he might even manage a win this year still.

Maybe that's all this McLaren move is about; moving away from another "parental influence". Whitmarsh and Dennis have been with him since he was a kid so perhaps he just wants to be his own man.

Oh, and $100M of course, because $60M+ is barely a living wage.

moving away from another "parental influence". Whitmarsh and Dennis have been with him since he was a kid so perhaps he just wants to be his own man

You might have something there; I hadn't considered that.

Aren't there still question marks about Merc's long-term commitment to F1 though? At least you know McLaren aren't going anywhere.

Ferrari are the only car maker who have managed to stick in F1, and that's because F1 is central to their marketing & image. Toyota, Honda, Ford/Jaguar, Alfa Romeo etc. have all come & gone - there's only so long a board will sign off a few hundred million without getting some serious results.

Seems that Merc have signed up to the next Concorde agreement which means they'll owe Bernie a bucket load of cash if they bail, but it's not beyond possibility that they'll do a Honda and sell the team/entry on for a pittance.

And Ferrari are (arguably, certainly were) a racing team first and a road car maker second, to fund the racing if memory serves me right.

Hamilton has always struck me as a 'toys out of the pram' sort of driver, in contrast to Jenson Button 'just grateful to get a drive'. Time wil tell. I've always though the mark of a great driver is one who can get results out of a mediocre car, the way Senna, Schemacher, Alonso and more recently Perez have. Jaques Villeneive was world champion n a great car, but nowhere in his other drives. Vettel did really well in the Torro Rosso before he joined red Bull. hamilton enjoyed a great career start, in a great car, but seems to have struggled mentally since. Maybe bing mid-pack will focus him more, allow him to settle.

Who decided to pay Button $85m?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice bloke but his win was thanks down mainly to a double-diffuser, as the season progressed it was a case of can he hold onto the lead long enough as he slid backwards and tech-wise Brawn was caught!

...and Hamilton's world championship was only thanks to Timo Glock pulling over.
...and (etc)

Good point actually. And wouldn't Massa have won under the new points system, by fact of winning more races?

I dunno Fred, who'd have won if they'd used the points system from 1959?

And wouldn't Massa have won under the new points system, by fact of winning more races?

Yeah and what about the bizarre steward etc penalties imposed on Hamilton? There was one in particular where it was the other drivers fault and Hamilton copped the grid drop!

mikeconnor: Hamilton has had a couple of comfortably sub-par Mclarens and he's still always been there or thereabouts. By all accounts, the 2009 Mclaren was a dog and he still managed to string up some wins and podiums in a seaosn dominated by Brawn and then Redbull.

This year is arguably the first decent car they've actually given him since his championship win.

mikeconnor - that was tongue in cheek btw.

...by fact of winning more races

It's points that count, though. Look where Kimi is without a win.

Given that McLarens’ car has got progressively worse over the last few seasons and is now only regaining its potential in Jenson second season, I hope the team gets behind him for 2013.

And I still would love to see one of the up and coming young drivers; such as Paul di Resta or Sergio Perez, given the chance in a top team.

And I still would love to see one of the up and coming young drivers; such as Paul di Resta or Sergio Perez, given the chance in a top team.

Perez has got Hammo's seat

Perez has a seat at McLaren for 2013. Equal status will remain.

I wonder what happened/what was said with Merc/Shumacher.

It's points that count, though. Look where Kimi is without a win.

And what do points mean? PRIZES!!!

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I wonder what happened/what was said with Merc/Shumacher.

Apparently they wanted him to sign earlier in the season, he delayed so they found someone else. Seems fair.

jota180 - Member

Perez has got Hammo's seat

organdonor - Member

Perez has a seat at McLaren for 2013. Equal status will remain.

Thanks guys only found out lewis had moved on by word of mouth

Interesting (if you like this sort of thing!) technical blog about Lewis's move...

http://somersf1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/technical-assesment-of-lewis-hamilton.html

Most sensible thing I've read on the matter, James Allen:

"There have been signs Hamilton's relationship with McLaren was coming to an end, and if he had signed a new contract with McLaren it would have been like a couple staying together for the children."

He's clearly been miserable there for a while and I expect half the battle has been admitting to himself that it's time to move on.

Sauber could do a lot worse than give Davide Valsecchi a drive or maybe D'ambrosio

Not sure what's the status of the Telmex cash Checo brought him is but if they need to go looking for a pay driver it'll be a bit sad just as they're starting to look stronger

He's clearly been miserable there for a while and I expect half the battle has been admitting to himself that it's time to move on.

Jaime Alguersuari for Sauber? Or what about the Caterham drivers? Petrov has cash (I think) and Kovalainen has experience of the bigger teams.

Mclaren bye bye. Mika was your other last World title.

Backing a journeyman and Perez. If Perez doesnt work out you'll be a team of the past.

Now we know you're no Button fan Hora but Hammo has only had 1 more win than him in the last 2.5 seasons in the same car.
Pretty much puts them on par in my book

and when did Button start in F1, starts per starts/points etc? I make it Hamo is twice as good and started 8 yrs later in F1..

🙂

I agree with the helmet on Hamo 'talks'..with the helmet off Button rules hands down. Girlfriend etc. Hamo/missus just smacks of cringe even creepy/common. Sponsors...probably warm more to JB. I can see why.

hora and jenson sitting in a tree....

and when did Button start in F1, starts per starts/points etc? I make it Hamo is twice as good and started 8 yrs later in F1..

Length of time doing something doesn't necessarily make you better, if that was the case old blokes would be best at everything - actually when I think of it ....... nevermind 🙂 - the only way to measure their relative skill is under the same conditions with the same equipment.
On that scale Hammo has it by a very small amount

I really couldn't care less about who's girlfriend is best etc, I'll leave that sort of thing to gossip mags aimed at teenage girls and you.

seems the latest twist in this tale is that Ferrari and Bernie are both ganging up on the FIA to delay the 'new' engine format for 3 years, as
(a) its sounds terrible
(b) its 30% more expensive to run than current models
(c) there could be issues with high rear tyre wear due to the torque of the turbo on the rear wheels
(d) there are not going to be enough units to go round!

so, Mercedes who apparently keen on the new format of engine format and it fitting in with their works team might not be on the best starting foot as previously thought for the new 'era'...

Here's [url= http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/scrapping-engine-rules/ ]Joe Saward's take[/url] on that 'scrapping new engines' story. Joes blog is always an interesting read.

So surprise surprise Shumi finally sees sense and retires. So he won't be going to Sauber or Ferrari - hopefully leaves the door open for some new talent at Sauber.

regardless of what you think of Schumi, the sport will be worse off without him , either in his previous ruthless guise, or the new calmer happier schumi.

I honestly think Schumi should quit (even though I don't like him) I think he should quit whilst hes ahead. For years hes ridden his luck IMO and the worse he got was a broken leg. Hes got nothing to prove.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19826983

Lewis Hamilton insists his move to Mercedes is not a gamble, despite admitting he will not be fighting for the Formula One title in 2013.

and

A sad end to a fantastic career for Schumi

[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19842168 ]Opps[/url]