I just can't see Hamilton at RBR or Ferrari at present. Surely Alonso has Ferrari well and truly locked down... and with his current form, they'd have to be bonkers to shuffle him out for Vettel or Bring in Hamilton. RBR may work but I'm not sure that would be a wise move on their part either. They'd probably be better off giving Webber another year and then seeing where they sit with Vettel next season. I could see Merc wanting to pick him up though. No disrespect to their current lineup, but it's looking a bit lacking compared to RBR, Ferrari and McLaren. Signing the likes of Hamilton could be the missing piece of their puzzle. As for Lotus, I think Hamilton would be bonkers to take a punt on that drive. Chances are he'll sign a long term contract with McLaren... Who knows though.
I know it's a long shot but maybe Alguersuari's going to do the missing year at Ferrari; he was suggesting he had something big lined up for next year.
Vettel wants to stay at Red Bull: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100003 Doesn't deny the Ferrari rumours as emphatically as he might.
F1 drivers are business men as well as top drivers. They know they can't vocal out deals being done behind closed doors as either party would lose money because of the result. Seb might go to Ferrari in 2014, he might extend to 2016 with RBR. All we know are rumours about him going to Ferrari in the future, yet the likes of Helmut wants to extend the contract to 2016. Dietrich said he would not stand in Sebs way if he wanted to leave for Ferrari and pretty much would have his blessing as Seb has won them 2 WDC's and helped with 2 WCC's Seb might be thinking he can never get a car always suited to his liking at RBR as Newey is only intereseted in making the fastest car entirely, making both drivers having to adapt around the flaws until they're minimised. This might highly annoy Seb as he is like Alonso, give him the baking entirely and he will deliver the WDC on a plate. Webber is also a key figure in RBR, he won't extend unless he continues on equal status with Seb, his experience is also very important and that he has ears and eyes in the technical side of RBR, he could leak a few things to Ferrari if he did leave. If Webber does leave RBR for Ferrari, alarm bells will be ringing that Seb will be leaving RBR the year after no matter how much he denies it.
I don't think he has the experience yet to completely lead development. And I'd rather have the raw performance of a Newey design than something tailor made by anyone else.
Personally I doubt any driver leads development since they put such harsh restrictions on testing. As to Seb going to Ferrari, I can't see it yet, I think it's the usual Italians Machiavellian tactics, they'll do anything to win, fairly or not.
Just in case no body saw this in the Monaco section: That's why they need to keep Webber, to keep the car up in the standings so Seb can't break his contract early in 2014 and hopefully convince him that they are progressing again against the rest of the field.
Here is the list of pay that all current drivers recieve. If accurate, Alonso is way in front of every other driver which might be why Lewis is trying to increase his pay structure. On the flip side, Lewis and Jenson are paid more than everyone else! http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7788281/Alonso-tops-driver-wages-report I still dont think he would get anywhere near what Mclaren will offer him at another team.
I'd like Lewis to move to another front running team (as he's be totally wasted elsewhere) as it would stop all the talk about how he needs Ron Dennis and how he's been spoilt at McLaren talk as well as showing everyone that he's able to stand on his own 2 feet in F1 without McLaren's backing. It'd be great to see him move into Alonso's team in Ferrari, as a neat bit of historical role reversal. Other than Red Bull, no team has performed consistently well in the last few seasons, and there's no gurantee that that will continue, so it's hard to say where he'd want to go anyway.
I think I've already mentioned but I'd like to see (and there is the possibility) Vettel and Hamilton and Mercedes. If this did happen I could see di Resta going to McLaren with Button and then the empty Red Bull seat going to a promising youngster. All this whilst Ferrari are choosing between Perez and Kovi to replace Massa Or many (just maybe) he could be reunited with Alonso. Most of their bad blood is made up in the press for a cheap story, and as my past love story posts have shown.... please log in to view this image
^ yeah, I always thought it was more a rift between Ron Dennis and Alonso rather than Hamilton and Alonso, but Hamilton v Alonso made better copy for the reporters in Britain and Spain
According to Autosport, Paul Di Resta is now being linked with the Hammilton seat should negotiations breakdown? Should be interesting as Anthony Hammilton is Paul's Manager! Also reported in there that the 100 million package offer is premature reporting!
Hamilton should consider signing a contract soon. He could find himself out of a seat by default if he doesn't. (assuming here that Schumacher is retained by Merc for next season, Webber re-signs at RBR, and Perez joins Ferrari as expected)
Here's the link:http://www.crash.net/f1/news/180340/1/hamilton_to_leave_mclaren_may_do_so_before_end_of_year.html
I guess the article is assuming that Massa gets fired, it's the only reason why Hamilton would quit McLaren mid season, if he knows he's got another option elsewhere.
What rubbish. He hasn't decided to leave McLaren and he certainly isn't switching teams before the end of the season. At worst, McLaren would be his fall-back option, should a deal with Red Bull/Mercedes/Ferrari not work out. Autosport are usually reliable and this seems to make a lot more sense: please log in to view this image
These rumours will only end in tears if it's not sorted out sooner than later, every drivers form always dips when they have other things on the mind.
I cant see how Lewis would leave for another team prior to the end of this season - ultimatley he is under contract and in NO way would Mclaren allow him to drive for another team - even if Massa gets fired mid season - which I doubt it! Like I said in one of my early comments on this thread, at what point do Mclaren have to look elsewhere to avoid being left with a poor driver (relatively speaking) in the other car? They have to make sure that they maximise the driver line up if Lewis goes, not be left with teh cast offs! Whilst I am a big fan of JB, I wouldnt fancy his and Mclaren chances against Red Bull and Ferrari with the combo of Vettle, Webber, Alonso & (potentially) Lewis driving for them! Mclaren will have to make a decession very soon (IMO)!
