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[Hammer278]

I don't know, RDs words and Hamilton's reactions to all the Merc questions in the pre race interview were very suspicious. I think it is a solid 50-50 at this stage. For me, I think Lewis is a driver who deserves to have a team which measures talent with attention, give him the support and he will deliver like Alonso now and Schumacher did before. Brawn is still the best team leader out there in my view.

[andrew]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2203836/McLaren-line-Sergio-Perez-replace-Lewis-Hamilton.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
this could be important info

OR because it's in the Daily Mail it could be deemed toilet paper....?

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every so often. This is being reported on a couple other F1 sites so maybe the Daily Mail has found a nut.

Hamilton future 'to be known by Singapore'

I reckon the deal with Merc has been done. Now it'll be a question of who replaces him.

[LRW]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2203836/McLaren-line-Sergio-Perez-replace-Lewis-Hamilton.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
this could be important info

OR because it's in the Daily Mail it could be deemed toilet paper....?

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every so often. This is being reported on a couple other F1 sites so maybe the Daily Mail has found a nut.

Hamilton future 'to be known by Singapore'

I reckon the deal with Merc has been done. Now it'll be a question of who replaces him.

That's true. Even a broken clock etc.

I would say McLaren could do a lot worse than Perez......

[Hammer278]

Dude Perez is going to be a great replacement. He's fast as hell and maturing very quickly, Button has a new driver's exhaust to choke on from 2013 onwards.

[scotty]

Yeah, i sure would be excited to see Perez in a good car. This rumour does make some sense commercially too, Telmex replacing Vodafone as McLaren's title sponsor.

[Huntley Jacobs]

Do the muted Lewis celebrations in Monza, Big Ron not applauding and all the other stuff - telling us something.

Ron Dennis has been surprisingly vocal on the matter of Lewis and a new contract. He said in a Radio 5 live interview before the summer break "I think people get the wrong impression though, as when I last looked at the contract - I was paying him. It's a question of whether we employ him, not the other way around."

It’s pretty clear Ron is saying it’s not Lewis’ decision whether he drives for McLaren in 2013.

Earlier in Canada, Dennis told Sky TV, “He [Lewis] is on the end of a contract which was signed at a time when the economy was somewhat different. Now there has to be a balance…He’s very highly paid…He’s certainly paid more than I am.”

This probably means, Lewis will be offered less money and have to take it or leave it.

Then when asked what he thought of Dennis’ statements, Lewis replied “It has nothing to do with me particularly, what he [Dennis] says…Martin is my boss.”

This may not be a particularly smart response, if you know anything about how McLaren F1 is run.

Add to this the need for XIX to show their worth. Surely a deal with McLaren paying less then Lewis' dad negotiated last time is not what they want.

<EDITED WB please contact one of our site admins to discuss your links, since we do not normally allow new members to link to their blogs>

Interested in your thoughts.

[The Second Coming]

I think McLaren are trying their very best to be more clever that Lewis' management because it would be quite unseemly for them if Lewis appeared to have the upper hand. What they are making very clear is that business comes before family/friendship...so Lewis shouldn't feel a sense of loyalty by leaving, just focus on what's best for him. He focused on loyalty for years...years when he got one horrible car after the next. He still talked up the team and gave them his belief and confidence in their turnaround. With that said, he should really handle his departure with high standards. That whole Tweet-gate thing was a bit shabby and ill-conceived. He should go out with little fan-fare...and the title. (Take the #1 decal to Mercedes.)

Back to the original question: Is Lewis being pushed? It's starting to feel that way but I suspect it will likely come back to bite McLaren. He is going to be the guy they fear the most if he ends up in a Mercedes. If their 2012 car is slightly off the McLaren, Lewis will beat them with it. His propensity for driving a bad car very well and into wins is more than just his reputation. It's very evident so the 2013 McLaren needs to be a dozen miles ahead on balance and grip (for Jenson) just to keep Lewis behind. If they are .450 or less faster than the Mercedes, they will be toast. So go ahead, push him. Knowing where Lewis' head is, his only objective will be to show up McLaren...and it's within him to do it. Go ahead, push...

I'm just saying...

[RichardC]

I don't think he's being pushed at all. Mclaren are in a position where they will only employ the very best of drivers and is there anyone out there available/good enough that could fill the void that the departure of Lewis Hamilton would create? (I'm not a Lewis fan btw!) As far as I can tell there isn't and seeing as they are one of the top teams, Mclaren aren't going to want to scramble and essentially just fill his seat in time for 2013 season.

[Frontrunner]

He's going to Merc, IMO

short and sharp and simple as that.

[LewEngBridewell]

He's going to Merc, IMO

short and sharp and simple as that.

I guess we'll all find out soon enough...

[Jabberwocky]

Yeah, i sure would be excited to see Perez in a good car. This rumour does make some sense commercially too, Telmex replacing Vodafone as McLaren's title sponsor.

Do you think Ferrari would let him sign for them?

[vaptin]

Yeah, i sure would be excited to see Perez in a good car. This rumour does make some sense commercially too, Telmex replacing Vodafone as McLaren's title sponsor.

Do you think Ferrari would let him sign for them?

I think so, Massa's cost them massively in the WCC, they need a second decent driver they can't produce a dominant car anymore like with Schumacher, Rubens.

[Jabberwocky]

Yeah, i sure would be excited to see Perez in a good car. This rumour does make some sense commercially too, Telmex replacing Vodafone as McLaren's title sponsor.

Do you think Ferrari would let him sign for them?

I think so, Massa's cost them massively in the WCC, they need a second decent driver they can't produce a dominant car anymore like with Schumacher, Rubens.

I meantwould Ferrari let Perez sign for Mclaren?

[vaptin]

Yeah, i sure would be excited to see Perez in a good car. This rumour does make some sense commercially too, Telmex replacing Vodafone as McLaren's title sponsor.

Do you think Ferrari would let him sign for them?

I think so, Massa's cost them massively in the WCC, they need a second decent driver they can't produce a dominant car anymore like with Schumacher, Rubens.

I meantwould Ferrari let Perez sign for Mclaren?

Oh right, fair point I forgot he was on Ferrari's driver program, so I guess not unless Telmex agree to pay Ferrari compensation for Perez's release.

[Hammer278]

I don't think he's being pushed at all. Mclaren are in a position where they will only employ the very best of drivers and is there anyone out there available/good enough that could fill the void that the departure of Lewis Hamilton would create? (I'm not a Lewis fan btw!) As far as I can tell there isn't and seeing as they are one of the top teams, Mclaren aren't going to want to scramble and essentially just fill his seat in time for 2013 season.

Yeah, I dont think he's being pushed...just being offered a pay cut (maybe the same salary as NoGrip) which Hamilton probably finds laughable.

Lewis probably knows McLaren are not in a strong position with drivers....I mean he's burying his teammate who's going to take over no.1 in the team when Lewis leaves, what does that say for the sponsors/partners? We just lost the better driver. Especially when the other elite drivers have contracts already with their respective teams for 2013.

McLaren are probably going to let their ego rule their head (as with every big corporation) and promote NoGrip to No.1 status and gamble on a young charger. This is what I see happening, and all the best to them with 2013...I see a repeat of the DC/Kimi pairing...dont get me wrong, DC was/is my all time fav driver but Kimi the kid just came into the team and showed him who's the real deal.