It's simple mind-games, big up your opponent so that the pressure is on him not you. Even those of you who aren't football fans must have heard about Roberto Mancini doing it last season, telling the media that his team were out of the title race and Manchester United would clearly win as they were so superior. Don't think it's anything to do with Hamilton moving cars, though Alonso would want Hamilton to think so as that would distract him from the task at hand. Alonso knows Hamilton better than anyone probably - he knows how Hamilton copes with pressure (i.e. not well) and is pushing any buttons he can to belittle Hamilton as Hamilton is at the moment his strongest rival for the championship.
Alonso is just putting the weight on the other rivals hoping they kill each other in the process gifting him the title. He knows Seb can do very well without the best car as evidence with this year and previous years but jumps on the media and hater bandwagon to keep it circling. So Alonso is trolling through **** there if I didn't know he is just trying to stir the pot. Kimi, Seb, Lewis and Webber are his threats for the WDC, but yet likes to try and ignore Lewis, Webber and Seb to put the added limelight on Kimi as he has been quiet this year media wise. Sometimes I think these drivers really do think we are morons
All I can say, is that if he was trying to use mind games like that, then he'd better hope that they don't backfire.
Interesting reading all the posts ;-) There's a hell of a lot of factors for Lewis to take into account for sure before making what could turn out to be one of the biggest decisions he's made in his career so far. Hopefully money isn't one of them. Honestly believe that his decision whichever way this goes is solely aimed towards further WDC's nothing more. I've read the thoughts below ( all good ones ) and i know money talks but as was pointed out on the "pro's and con's " it's not easy huh! Think I'll settle on the fact that i haven't honestly got a clue what will happen but that whatever choice he takes it works for him.It's a hard one to call so im not gonna try. Good luck to him, and after reading the thread its no wonder he just wants to concentrate on his racing because the above shows exactly how difficult a decision it is. It would strain the hell out of me. Then again maybe he already knows what he's going to do and he's just sweating us out the little siht just joking. Either way i wish him good luck.
Off Topic... I'm not sure that what Mancini had to say made all that much difference. Ferguson is a bit too old and wise for that... They just plain ballsed it up. *sniggers*
I want him to go to Merc. That'll show how overrated he is, when he's unable to move that team forward. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! Hamilton is crap
Money may play a part in the decision in that it shows how committed a teams is to him. If they are looking to get him cheaper then it does call in to question their desire and commitment to keep him. That's not a whole lot different to Brawn trying to retain Button on the cheap... He stood for none of that and I don't blame him. People say that he should remain with McLaren because it's his best chance at a title in the future... But is it? It's not done him much good since '08 and McLaren's stance on #1 drivers won't help him in future. I can see how a #1 deal, a good pay packet and a team run by Brawn might make you want to roll the dice. If I were him, I'd certainly consider it closely if it were on the table.
I expect a decision and a contract "signed" from Hamilton and Co. right after the Singapore GP as that is the time when business for future sponsors has passed and hopefully with as little amount of bumps "financially". You watch, something will come out during this GP, 100% certified!
SGT Hi mate. You know, i totally agree with that. Especially the Brawn/ Mercedes point. Adds another dilemma when you point out how pay could be easily seen from a value perspective with Lewis. Personally i wouldn't mind seeing him in the Merc. I've visualized it a few times running it over and trying to determine if i could see it happen. And i could. Whether it happens, well it's gonna be interesting to see which way this goes bud. One things for sure, whoever gets him is getting a hellofa driver.
If he does move, and he and Merc can move in to a position to fight for wins, It would also be a good thing for the sport and make for even more competition. I imagine Bernie is hoping it comes off, if not just to keep Merc in for a bit longer.
SilverArrows You know i was thinking of putting on a little (you'll never get the money mind ) kind of wager on that prediction just to see if it happens.. say a fiver
There's another factor, which was raised in the Benson article, I think: XIX Entertainment, or whatever Fuller's crew are called, need Lewis to move in order to make any real money from him. As I understand it, this is because of Lewis's difficulty in making outside sponsorship deals at Mclaren, from all of which XIX would take their cut. Not really all about the sport, is it?
SGT Sounds good to me and with the changes coming in a couple of years time when if im right in saying effectively puts them all on an even platform to a greater extent ,a decision like that to go to Merc makes for a great battle in the future if not damn well interesting ..
I totally agree that it shouldn't be about making money for the management team... But lets face it, all managers are out to make a buck, just this one more than most. Look at managers and agents in Football... They are bloody leaches. Vettel has it right by brokering his own deals.
On the other hand, Andy Murray's career has gone to the next level since he's been with Fuller. I've always been a bit sceptical that the man who made the Spice Girls is the right man for Hamilton or Murray but maybe I'm wrong.
