An interesting article on the realisation from all parties that there are significant implications with Lewis's move to Mercedes! http://goo.gl/fb/JXpyu This got me thinking, if Jenson had not resigned and hence not stayed with Mclaren for 2013 onwards, would Lewis have stayed? I appreciate that Mclaren may have fought harder to retain his services but I have a niggling suspicion that Lewis may have 'wanted' to stay!
I get the sense that Hamilton wanted to leave McLaren and that Button being there was much of a muchness. He tried his best for them this season and its a shame McLaren couldn't hold themselves together for him.
In respect to Jenson the car was the worst its ever been since Bahrain 2010 in the 6 race stretch of Bahrain to Silverstone, and that is a significant chunk.
Because Lewis could make the tyres work, think I remember Jenson just saying nothing is wrong with the car, just that he couldn't make the tyres work whatever he did.
I don't think that Jenson made any difference, what is clear is that Lewis wanted to leave McLaren. It's quite interesting how since the move got confirmed he seems a lot happier almost as if he cannot wait to leave McLaren. In India for example he was a lot more open with the media even talking to Martin on the grid and the BBC boys after the race and it was good to see as sometimes this year (Belgium, Italy) he seemed really down perhaps because of all the speculation. The biggest loss for McLaren could be that they may well end up starting races quite far back. Jenson has got just the one pole in three years for McLaren while Perez has most of the time at Sauber been slower than Kamui over one lap. Both are obviously very good in the race usually but being on the front two rows is still crucial in F1 these days and McLaren are going to lose a driver who in my opinion is the best qualifier in the sport alongside Vettel
Agreed on all points there Also, when any driver says over and over that they just can't get the tires to work it just comes across as an excuse. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but it sure seems like an excuse to me
McLaren have to **** or get off the pot going forward. They have cost themselves dearly by not focusing on a number 1 to lead a title challenge in recent years. They'd be wise to make Jenson that person in the coming season while Perez gets settled in the team and concentrate on building a car that suits Jenson. Unless they do that, I can't see him being able to mount a title challenge. McLaren's methods just aren't working.
Not sure what that particularly has to do with Jenson uniquely. Edit: Actually... not even sure it's got any better year on year. McLaren are still their same under-achieving, hit and miss selves as when he joined.
