Looks like the 7-time World Champion is up for grabs if he feels like he can still drive in 2013. Sauber/Mclaren/Redbull even?
Why would McLaren ever want to employ a driver with more grey hair than Whtimarsh? Realistcially, if Schuey is out of Mercedes I can't see him racing in F1 next year.
Agree with the sentiment that if Schumacher's out of Mercedes he's essentially out of F1. Can't see any of the top teams taking a punt on a one-year deal for him and can't see anyone offering his financial incentives at any of the lower teams. I suppose that Ferrari COULD use him as a replacement for Massa but given he left Ferrari in the first place so that they didn't force Massa out of the team...
Because if you have seen the performances when the car is working, and exclude Spain when he was barmy, then you notice he is level with Rosberg and has pulled some great results and memories from this season. Age is not a factor. Back on topic (from my side), I feel Hamilton will stay at Mclaren if Mercedes cannot provide a contract, Ferrari is a crazy place to move, and RB are contracted as someone mentioned above.
McLaren will want an understudy to Button. A youngster who they can nurture for when Button retires in a few years.
Yeah I can see why they would want to go long term, like Ham back in 2007. Can drivers break contracts.. and if they do what happens?
I imagine they can, but it would most likely be up to their new team to deal with compensation (£££) issues.
Button would know, he's been involved in contract disputes twice, he bought himself out of one contract as I recall.
Didn't Button personally pay Williams to get out of a signed contract so he could be at BAR/Honda? edit- just seen tomtom's post. I wasn't imagining it!
If I remember correctly, he signed two contracts in one season (2004?), and fought hard to leave Williams for BAR. He then signed two deals a couple of years later and fought hard had to buy himself out of the Williams (or possibly Renault? I forget) contract to stay where he was. Quite a few commentators commented on the irony as I recall. EDIT: Wiki! No idea if the Contact Recognition Board still exists but it looks like there's your answer EMSC.
£18 million is £3m less than Schumacher is paid per year by Mercedes, probably would have been quite significant to Button, then again he had been at BAR for three years and had marketing exposure already.
I thought that Alonso and McLaren pretty much let each other walk away from that one. Could be wrong though. And didn't Kimi get something stupid like 50mil? I know it was a bonkers sum.
Has anyone seen Inside F1? Eddie Jordan says: "I'm reliably informed Wednesday will reveal so much particularly from the Michael Schumacher episode down". http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19680367