Article: 2013 Driver Line-ups, News & Rumours | Formula one

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18857338

I can't see who he thinks could have a faster car than McLaren that he could realistically drive for next season. I could see him signing a one year extension at McLaren.

Does anyone think he could possibly be tempted by someone like Williams if they told him they'd start developing next year's car now? There's a regulation overhaul next year so there's potential for someone like Williams to "do a Brawn" if they start designing next season's car now. They couldn't offer him the money he wants, and probably not prolonged success, but he could be at a stage where he's willing to take a risk, if he won the championship for them next season I doubt he'd have any problems getting a drive with a bigger team the following season.

I don't think this will happen by the way, I think he'll stay at McLaren, just thought I'd ask the question.

 

No way will they give him a 1 year extension, McLaren are too cutthroat and too much of a business to be played around by a driver who is uneasy about commitment to their business. McLaren need stability with finances and with Lewis not shouting to the high heavens that he is happy at McLaren will put certain sponsors on edge when looking at their own advertisement plans in F1.

It will be a 3-5 year contract or nothing when McLaren ask him for the last time this season. If he doesn't sign this August Lewis will not be able to stop the driver coming in to replace him as the contract would of already been finalised.

 

I'm not sure that is totally accurate, i seem to remember McLaren actually offered Kimi a 1 year deal at the end of 09, of course Kimi being Kimi read it right and rejected the deal, but i don't think either Lewis or McLaren can actually afford to lose each other.

He has no other option while McLaren are unlikely to let go the man who is their only hope (at the moment) of securing glory in the WDC. They will only let him go if he demands a ridiculous wage

 

Wishful thinking?

A 1 year contract may suit both. How do you know it doesn't?

McLaren have done 1 year contracts many times in the past so it is not out of the question by any mean. I think it's unlikely and Hamilton will resign for a couple more seasons, but I'd imagine there would be some stringent performance related targets for McLaren to reach, and an accident damage limit for Hamilton not to exceed!

 

I honestly think that by choice he doesn't want to be at Mclaren, but his options have been limited by the success of Vettle and Alonso. I think by choice, most team managers (on form over the past 2/3 seasons) would take either of those over Lewis and there in lies the problem. His strength in negotiating has been heavily reduced by these 2 drivers alone and he has only highlighted some of his own weaknesses by his inabilty to put his hands on the trophy in 2010 and 2011 and it looks like he will fall short this term aswell.

I acknowledge that he has been up against the best car (In the RB) but Alonso showed in 2010 that it is possible to compete and has shown this year that the best car isnt needed to lead the championship! And here lies the problem, whilst Lewis is every bit as good as the others (and then some) on his day, his day is not that often and certainly isnt the majority of the season!

Lewis has shown that in one of the best cars with a team mate he has the measure on (although JB is looking like this at present) he is capable of winning the title. But in a car that is at best on equal measure with 3 or 4 other teams, I just dont think a team manager would put their house on him. Is the issue with his contract value, is his issue with JB taking points out of his championship, or is it that he merely hasnt lived up to his own expectations - I dont know.

If I was Mclaren I wouldnt give him a 1 year deal, he has tried to play the game and realised his hand doesnt stack. He wont get the money and he probably wont get the 1 year deal he needs to be able to keep his options open. For me he needs to rebuild himself and a 1 or 2 year deal in a Lotus or Williams etc.. doesnt seem such a wild idea - Alonso did in the Renault and he held is stock and seems to be doing pretty well now! Maybe a swap with Kimi or even Maldando?

As I said on the Hammilton thread, at what point do Mclaren say fuk it and sign another driver.... Massa, Kov?????

 

?!?!?!?

I think he probably wants out of McLaren but realises there are no better options. The issue's complicated by the fact Simon Fuller is only interested in making a tonne of money out of him. If Hamilton was happy at McLaren (which he may be) and his Dad was still managing him he'd have signed a new contract ages ago.

 

I can't see Hamilton taking a punt on Lotus or Williams unless his hand is forced that way.

With RBR being locked out for another year and the unlikelihood that Ferrari would pair him with Alonso, his options are thin on the ground. The only other possibility could be Merc... Where I actually think he may do well... but right now he'd probably be better off committing to McLaren again for the next couple of years and getting his head down.

I don't blame him for waiting and weighing up his options though, he'd be crazy not to.

 

http://www.bild.de/sport/motorsport...eit-ueber-ferrari-und-mich-25183362.bild.html

 

Following on from FF, here is Sky's view on Vettle and Ferrari:

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12475/7905790/Vettel-refuses-to-rule-out-Ferrari

 

What if Lotus finish 3rd and Mclaren finish 4th (like they are now). Lotus would be a step in the right direction then wouldnt it?

I cant see Lotus dropping Grosjean or kimi for him though

 

Nigel Mansell says Schumacher should carry on if he still wants it.

 

I think he wants to be in the Merc alongside Nico. Schuey not making a decession is complicating the issue for him. If Schuey was to retire though, I would imagine he would take the Merc over Mclaren and get a fresh environment to reignite himself.

 

Twitter: Sauber Target Kovalainen & Alguersuari For 2013.

http://www.formula1fancast.com/2012...ign=Feed: Formula1Fancast (Formula 1 FanCast)

I think that's a good move by Sauber to replace Kamui if his results keep staying like this, so many points wasted and also that your younger team mate has 2 podiums already. With regards to Perez, I don't see how that's sensible by Sauber unless he is off to Ferrari next year? or have these incidents with Maldonado been enough to give him the boot for rash overtakes?

 

I would be very suprised if they were to drop Perez. I would imagine that Kovy and Alg are potential replacements fro the other seat, unless Perez is off to Ferrari? If thats the case then where is Massa going because it would make more sence for Ferrari and sauber to do a swap.

 

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7913635/Kovalainen-high-on-Sauber-s-list
According to a Finnish newspaper Kovi is very much on Sauber's radar.

 

Way ahead of you

 

Ah, didn't read the other posts.

 

I can see algae taking the caterham seat and thats probably where he has already secured his drive.

 

Schumacher to vacate the second Ferrari for one year if Massa is kicked out?

Massa<-Schumacher<-Lewis<-DiResta<-Heikki<-Alguersuari<-Massa (unemployed)

Alonso + Schumacher in Ferrari...

Holy mother bejesus!

 

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