http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jul/04/mclaren-lewis-hamilton-contract This article just came up on the Guardian site, sounds like Lewis might be issuing ultimatums now, is his time up with Mclaren?
It makes an interesting soundbite but it doesn't really to add to the numerous other articles about Hamilton/Red Bull. To be honest, I don't really know what to believe about this any more. Just going to wait it out.
I personally think that if Hamilton holds these veiws that it is rich to moan about deserving a better car while your teammate is beating you in the standings
He needs to knuckle down, bin the pussycatdoll & concentrate on being the outstanding F1 driver that he is. The team have not been great, but he has to look at himself as well.
I doubt there's much weight in it tbh, in F1 there are 3 ways to become WDC. 1, join Ferrari, 2, join McLaren and 3, join the team that has worked out how to get around the rules, the third choice is part luck. now i've looked at it it says 'a source close to Hamilton' which probably means one of Fullers lacky's. Lewis get rid.
Reading the article, it all looks like sensationalistic journalism to me. There is no direct quote from Hamilton which supports the 4 race ultimatum at all. The "source" could be anyone who knows even vaguely how the contracts of sportsman work (of course they'll try and sew up a deal in advance, if other teams get a sniff, his wage demands, etc, would go up). So all the journalist has done is take this, count the number of races in the next couple of months, and make out that Hamilton is issuing ultimatums. It's just sloppy journalism trying to piggyback on to the rumour mill recently going into overdrive for Hamilton. Should this be merged with the BBC Fail Thread, and the title of that thread changed to the "Journalism Fail Thread", which I feel would be more apt? When I initially started the thread I only really meant for it to be about the news reporting side of it, and not to criticise the TV production, so it would be more fitting.
The Guardian is usually quite good with these kind of articles DH otherwise I would agree with what you are saying about sensationalism.
I'll admit I was disappointed to see the article in the Guardian, a newspaper I normally have some time for, but I read it and it just felt like it belonged in a red top tabloid, albeit with more elegant prose.
If there is any truth in what the Guardian has said, Hamilton may have a problem on his hands. Who is likely to take him on if in 4 races time Mclaren do not come up with the goods? Diplomacy has never been his strong point, and teams do not like being threatened no matter how good the driver may be. I should imagine there are a few drivers that would like to be sitting in his car right now and could probably do just as good a job. I find it hard to believe he made the comment, but it would not surprise me if it was true.
Stories can easily get out of hand. Not so long ago a certain driver had a smashed bottle to a certain bosses neck according to the papers. Where's that story gone? The truth is Hamilton sells stories, may they be good or bad. Hamilton is going through a rough patch right now so its likely the media will kick him whilst he's down. Just look, we're talking about this story so it must have been worth printing, sadly. I hope the story isn't true as no team spirit will ruin what could still be a positive season for McLaren.
Not sure if I've said it before, but welcome to the forum Inertia! Reading through the article, I couldn't see a direct quote from Hamilton to support the journalists claims, but I may be mistaken. I don't think it's really a case of Hamilton looking to be driving for another team in 4 races, more the article implies he'd be less keen to agree a deal with Mclaren, with plenty of time to run on this one, for any future seasons, until he sees some real evidence they can provide him with the fastest car. The only real thing I felt I could conclude from the article was that the journalist felt contract negotiations would be far more difficult from Mclaren's point of view if they haven't shown an improvement before then, and that Hamilton would be more willing to reject an early contract offer to see what is on the table elsewhere. Red Bull and Ferrari will naturally play along with this to unsettle Hamilton, and then no doubt announce an unchanged line-up for next season.
Inertia: Whatever the scenario, I'm certain he is not threatening to quit in four races. It's more a case (if the story is to be believed) that this is the sort of time scale he (and his agency) have laid down a marker with for McLaren to turn things around; and if not, then perhaps wheels will start turning towards a possible move. I have resisted talking about the subject because I prefer to have a solid basis before I write about it; but one thing's for sure: if Hamilton were to move, it would be likely to throw the whole driver market into turmoil. For the sake of McLaren, I hope he doesn't move. But if he does, it is likely to precipitate the signal for a new era of excitement in F1, with less harmony for all of the top teams; and let's face it, this would seem a very attractive proposition for Bernie…
Same here, who would want Hamilton and his baggage affecting their teams morale. Also, welcome to the forum. Always good to see new faces.
I don't think the quote came from him, it says it came from someone close to him, so you'd have to assume it's one of fullers cronies. That guy will do anything for media time. He's like a poor mans simon cowell.
Yeah I have just read the article and there seems nothing in it. I am fed up with these hack 'journalists' and their made up 'sources' and 'insiders', they do not give a crap what they write be it truthful, libelous, quality or shoddy, just so long as it gives them money or attention, they are just professional WUMs. Hypothetically if Red Bull offered him a contract I think he would sign it straight away even if Mclaren improved a bit, he would not wait four races or any amount.
"Sources close to cowboyfromhell say he's off to the fridge for another beer." It's ridiculous, who are these people sources, why do they wish to remain anonymous. That example i just gave is equally ridiculous,as i seem to have run out of beer. And i can't sleep. This is gonna be a long night.
