Actually I think McLaren still hold the car(d)s, they could go until 2-3 races down the line and then stop him racing giving him an ultimatum, sign for McLaren and maybe win the WDC or don't sign and somebody else wins it! Are McLaren that cut throat though? That is the question! Contract negotiations never help the drivers mindset even if they're involved or not personally, I keep saying it that Lewis needs to decide his future sooner than later as the rumours will only get louder and louder possibly distracting him. And if it really is his management group demanding more money, there's no ****ing way he will come to Red Bull and earn more money than Seb, that's a fact!
My original question was at what point to Mclaren cut their losses and sign someone else? If they cant keep Lewis they need another front runner in the car and judging by Ron's comments they are already looking down that avenue!
Yea, Lewis Hamilton is one of life's natural born winner's has a huge inner self belief and trust in his own abilities, not surprisingly, Fuller will negotiate to try and get Lewis the best deal but Hamilton is his employer and will ultimately make his own decision.
I think Hamilton is holding all the cards but has far more to loose than McLaren. If he went to Merc it could well pay off or he could end up wasting 2ish seasons. Despite how inept they still seem I think he should stick it out with McLaren, maybe with a more 'open' contract when it comes to escaping. In fact maybe he's not after more money, maybe he just wants a contract he can easily get out of early.
I always chuckle when I read comments about how inept McLaren are, as if every other team in the pit lane never makes any mistakes, only McLaren. I don't remember seeing too many McLaren cars driving off with fuel hoses attached, or their tyres bouncing down the pits either. Sure, they make mistakes but so does every other. If Lewis' fans think that he'd be better off going somewhere else, where no mistakes will be made and he'll always get the right strategy, then they will definitely be disappointed, whatever happens.
If we see a McLaren driving off with a fuel hose still attached we can safely assume the pitstop has gone very wrong
"I don't remember seeing too many McLaren cars driving off with fuel hoses attached......" Not "There have never been any McLaren cars driving off with fuel hoses attached......" Do you see the difference? If you can show me a montage on youtube of a teams flawless performances at pit stops and commentators saying "another perfect race strategy in a perfect season where the team has made no mistakes yet again" then you'd have something And Lewis should make a bee-line for that team post-haste
No agree, I dont think they should look elsewhere, Lewis and Jenson pairing for the next 2-3 years would be the ideal solution. My question was in relation to Lewis not really wanting to sign or holding them to financial blackmail by trying to extort an over the odd pay structure. I'm not saying that is what he is tyrying to do, but after Ron Dennis's comments suggesting that a wage reduction was more likely you can understand him looking at other options. So if he is looking, when do Mclaren try and sign someone else to protect their own interests?
Yep, two driver's with polar opposite styles, both the indisputable best at their particular game, we only need a car that suits both equally, now that's the hard bit aint it, I can't think of a better driver combination. Ron, get your wallet out, ffs.
Thought this was interesting! http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7810708/Whitmarsh-expects-Hamilton-to-stay Whitmarsh talks toward Lewis staying but the wording does say 'would continue into 2013'! I wonder whether Lewis has managed to cajole Mclaren into a 1 year extension because Mclaren can get no suitable replacement? I know its all speculation, but......
If it's only a year deal with McLaren, I say I'm psychic and reckon I've nailed it before it actually happens. Seb to Ferrari after the 2013 season, Lewis to replace him.
Be either Ricciardo or Vergne I would guess after another year of F1. Depends what Red Bull are after but they do seem to favour the faster qualifiers than race day only men like Jenson for instance.
I think Helmut Marko has shot RBR in the foot. Last years Toro Rosso pairing are far superior to this pair, to make one of these 2 a Red Bull driver would be a mistake IMO.
I'm not sure at the moment, Ricciardo should be doing much better than Vergne as he had half a season in HRT to get ready. If Vergne scores more than 5-6 points in 19 races he has done better than Buemi and Jaime in their rookie years in F1 (after Monaco he should have if given the right tyres). Ricciardo should really aim for 20+ considering his F1 experience already last year.
Helmut Marko says Lewis doesn't fit RBR. http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?optio...oes-not-fit-at-red-bull&catid=1:f1&Itemid=157 Don't know what he means by that?
He maybe looking at a pairing with Vettle, from both a driver dynamic and pay structure. But as discussed, if Vettle is no longer there in 2014 what othet credible front driver is there?
He means they want Vettel to stay, and until they know Vettel's going no 'top' driver fits Red Bull in Marko's eyes
