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[Denthúl]

Didn't see this anywhere else, so thought I'd post it as it is certainly interesting. How long ago was it that he was saying he never wanted to leave McLaren?

Hamilton says loyalty has its limits

By Jonathan Noble Friday, April 15th 2011, 02:49 GMT

Lewis HamiltonLewis Hamilton has dropped a firm hint that his future at McLaren will depend on it providing him with a title-winning car, amid ongoing speculation about his future in F1.

Hamilton's current deal with McLaren runs out at the end of next year, and a recent switch of management to Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment company has prompted talk that the former world champion will counter offers for other outfits when the time comes to sort a new deal.

Although Hamilton has pledged his full commitment to McLaren for now, he suggested in China that his 'loyalty' to McLaren would have a limit if his current team could not guarantee him a competitive ride.

Speaking to the British media whether he could see himself staying at McLaren for the rest of his career, Hamilton said: "I don't really envisage anything except winning world championships. I have only got a short period in Formula 1.

"I am fortunate enough to be in a top team where I am comfortable but I want to win championships."

When asked if his loyalty had limits, however, he responded: "It definitely does. I have always enjoyed racing here and would like to continue but you also, at the end of the year, have to assess what position you are in and what happened."

[CarBore]

I'm guessing since he hired the new manager the idea of moving came up

[myownalias]

There's more on the story here : http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ap ... f1-mclaren

He'll learn that moving teams does not automatically guarantee world championships; just look at Alonso and his move to McLaren from the team that he won his two titles with'; Renault and later his move to Ferrari, neither move had/has yielded another world championship as yet.

[bud]

He is being smart, in the end every driver wants to win championships. I'm sure given the choice he'd rather do it at McLaren but if the grass is faster on the other side of the fence he will have to leave!

[acosmichippo]

That's going to be the year when they make the switch to 4-bangers, right? I imagine that could shake up the current car power structure quite a bit. Red Bull may dominate the rest of this year and maybe even next year, but who knows what'll happen when the new engines are introduced.

[bud]

That's a good point, it will be a whole new ball game in 2013. Better signing a one year deal with McLaren than moving on. McLaren might be the pace setter when the new rules come in.

[Denthúl]

I'm guessing since he hired the new manager the idea of moving came up

This is, in part, why I think that it is interesting. Are we likely to see some more offers from the other front-runners? Though, the only place he could really safely go at the moment is Red Bull. Not entirely sure Ferrari would go for the Alonso-Hamilton pairing.

That's going to be the year when they make the switch to 4-bangers, right? I imagine that could shake up the current car power structure quite a bit. Red Bull may dominate the rest of this year and maybe even next year, but who knows what'll happen when the new engines are introduced.

That's a good point, it will be a whole new ball game in 2013. Better signing a one year deal with McLaren than moving on. McLaren might be the pace setter when the new rules come in.

Yeah, could be. Are McLaren likely to stick with the Mercedes engines beyond that point or might they change? Will they try to tempt a new manufacturer in to pair with them for a long-term deal? That's something to look out for, although a separate subject altogether.

Interestingly, this just popped up on Autosport.

Hamilton 'committed' to McLaren

By Pablo Elizalde Friday, April 15th 2011, 09:27 GMT

Lewis HamiltonLewis Hamilton says there is no question about his commitment to the McLaren team despite saying that loyalty has its limits.

The McLaren driver suggested to the British media on Thursday that his future at McLaren would depend on having a title-winning car at his disposal.

When asked if his loyalty had limits, however, he said: "It definitely does. I have always enjoyed racing here and would like to continue but you also, at the end of the year, have to assess what position you are in and what happened."

On Friday, however, Hamilton insisted there was no question about his loyalty to the British squad.

"I think that's just a saying. That's the way of life," Hamilton said about his comments after practice in China. "There is no question of my loyalty for my team. It's been my team since I was six years old.

"I'm here, I'm committed to them. I want to try and help them as well as becoming one of the most successful drivers myself. I want them to be out there to do that for me."

Hamilton added that there weren't many teams which have been as consistently strong during the past years.

"If you look at our performance over the years I think you can say I'm the only who has won a grand prix every year, so I've had a winning car every season. No other team can say that for the last five years. That's quite a positive thing."

Now, part of that is incorrect, but it makes me wonder if this is just him trying to get bigger deals on the table. Thoughts?

[scotty]

but it makes me wonder if this is just him trying to get bigger deals on the table. Thoughts?

It would make sense. Footballers have been using this tactic for a while now, saying publicly that they want to leave their club for a few weeks, but then miraculously signing a massively improved contract and completely changing their mind about the club. A recent example of this happening is Wayne Rooney's huge pay rise. It's morally suspect in my view but nonetheless an effective method.

[vlad]

Maybe thinking about "Drinks Company"...

[Robert12010]

lewis please dont leave (praying)

[McLaren]

That article is fairly old now.Think Lewis is just trying to get a pay rise,must be tough getting by on just over the minimum wage poor lad
If McLaren's cars went downhill and were only say 7-8th on the grid i'm sure Lewis would leave.He is a great talent and i just hope McLaren can add to that one title ,because his genius behind the wheel deserves more than that,something I'm sure he will surpass.

[Jamie]

I did not see that coming really. But I can understand that he cannot drive in the style in which he feels most comfortable with. But McLaren is where he belongs.

[Hammer278]

That article is fairly old now.Think Lewis is just trying to get a pay rise,must be tough getting by on just over the minimum wage poor lad
If McLaren's cars went downhill and were only say 7-8th on the grid i'm sure Lewis would leave.He is a great talent and i just hope McLaren can add to that one title ,because his genius behind the wheel deserves more than that,something I'm sure he will surpass.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Lewis doesn't deserve to fight for points or even podiums, he's a winner and probably the biggest talent to hit the grid since I started watching F1 in the late 90's.

[texasmr2]

True colors shining through, he will not be a McLaren driver his entire career.

[Jamie]

That article is fairly old now.Think Lewis is just trying to get a pay rise,must be tough getting by on just over the minimum wage poor lad
If McLaren's cars went downhill and were only say 7-8th on the grid i'm sure Lewis would leave.He is a great talent and i just hope McLaren can add to that one title ,because his genius behind the wheel deserves more than that,something I'm sure he will surpass.

I can't imagine Lewis to leave