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[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Lewis Hamilton has cut a second sweet and unique deal with McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

It had already emerged that, with his third drivers' world championship for the British team, Hamilton has been promised the McLaren F1 LM supercar - worth about $8m - that currently resides in the team museum.

And 23-year-old Hamilton revealed at Mercedes-Benz's end-of-season Stars and Cars event in Stuttgart that he is also being allowed to keep several of the trophies he wins.

Dennis allows McLaren drivers to make replicas of their trophies, but the originals - even those won by famous triple world champion Ayrton Senna - are all housed in the McLaren Technology Centre.

"I made a deal with Ron that I could keep the trophy from my first podium, first win, first Monaco win and first world championship. I am happy with that," Hamilton said in Germany.

The Briton will collect his world championship trophy at the FIA gala dinner in Monaco next month.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Absolutely reprehensible. It was a farce that Hamilton has the chance of winning of the most historic cars McLaren ever built, but this is just taking it too far. I'm seriously pissed off about this. What are you playing at Ron?

[onelapdown]

Ron must be going soft in old age. Martin Brundle will be livid!

[2eyebrows]

Its not that bad really.

[bud]

meh

[KyrosV]

thats a bit sad for Mclaren It would feel like hes taking away history from the team rather than giving it

bit greedy isnt he?

- wants More money
- wants more time off
- wants original trophies
- wants McLaren F1 LM supercar

[McLaren Fan]

meh

I don't think is a 'meh' issue. No McLaren driver since Ron Dennis has been running the team has been allowed to keep original trophies. They are the property of the team - and rightly so, in my book - and the driver is given a perfect replica. This topic has never been debated at McLaren. It was always a given that when you came to the team, you would not be allowed to keep any trophies you win. It was non-negotiable. Hamilton is an ordinary driver like everybody else who has driven for the team and should not be getting special treatment like this. Dennis' personal relationship with Hamilton is getting in the way of his business relationship with him. Anthony "Cut-throat" Hamilton must be laughing his legs off.

Is there anything else Hamilton wants? Why doesn't Ron Dennis offer him one of Senna's cars, the Technology Centre, or even a share in the team.

[7UpJordan]

meh

I don't think is a 'meh' issue. No McLaren driver since Ron Dennis has been running the team has been allowed to keep original trophies. They are the property of the team - and rightly so, in my book - and the driver is given a perfect replica. This topic has never been debated at McLaren. It was always a given that when you came to the team, you would not be allowed to keep any trophies you win. It was non-negotiable. Hamilton is an ordinary driver like everybody else who has driven for the team and should not be getting special treatment like this. Dennis' personal relationship with Hamilton is getting in the way of his business relationship with him. Anthony "Cut-throat" Hamilton must be laughing his legs off.

Is there anything else Hamilton wants? Why doesn't Ron Dennis offer him one of Senna's cars, the Technology Centre, or even a share in the team.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was offered the MP4/4 or the MP4/6.

[juggles]

it doesn't offend me in the same way it clearly offends you, but i still don't like it. if you have a tradition like that, exceptions should not be made, otherwise you've permanently blurred the line. so now if Kovalainen doesn't get the real trophy of his first GP win surely that shows they're not treated equally in the team in a very public way?

Purely from a practical standpoint, if I was Lewis then I'd prefer to take the replica and have McLaren lock my real trophy away safely. Much less chance of it being stolen from McL HQ than Hamilton's house, and what's the difference between having a perfect replica and the real thing if all you're going to do is look at it and show it off? It just means you have to worry more about it. Stupid decision from both Ron Dennis and Lewis if you ask me.

[KyrosV]

look what mika did to his! if they were the real trophies, blood would be boiling.

[8-ball]

All the more reason for Ron Dennis to leave and Martin Whitmarsh to take over. Ron is losing it

[racechick]

Whats the hassle??

[Gaz]

i can see your point but i'm not all that bothered myself Mclaren don't need some trophy in a case to show they have done it they know they won the WDC with Lewis and all those races I know it, and Everyone else who watched 07 and 08 knows it.

besides they'll have replica's either way hes just reversing it i assume, Mclaren get the replica and Lewis gets the real thing.

[McLaren Fan]

i can see your point...

I'm afraid you don't.

hes just reversing it i assume, Mclaren get the replica and Lewis gets the real thing.

And that's the problem.

[McLaren Fan]

All the more reason for Ron Dennis to leave and Martin Whitmarsh to take over. Ron is losing it

Ron Dennis' business savvy is still there, so I don't think he should leave/be forced out, but I find this decision very unprofessional.

[racechick]

i can see your point...

I'm afraid you don't.

hes just reversing it i assume, Mclaren get the replica and Lewis gets the real thing.

And that's the problem.

He's not the first to do it. Still cant see the problem. If it was the constructors then yes.