3540 replies to this topic

[D.M.N.]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/19489930

People will dismiss this "because it is Eddie", but it is worth noting that he correctly predicted Schumacher joining Mercedes several weeks before it was officially announced.

Edit - please use this thread to discuss Lewis Hamilton's 2013 future

[Crazy Ninja]

Lets wait and see. I would like to see Lewis in a different team though, for a few reasons. Who would go to Mclaren?

[Tonka]

I don't think McLaren will be letting Lewis anywhere near their data for the rest of the season !

[WatchingF1since4yearsold]

that has to be one of the biggest shocks in F1 history if true...

amazed he is leaving McLaren, especially to Mercedes who don't look even close to McLaren's competitiveness right now :/

[Slackbladder]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/19489930

People will dismiss this "because it is Eddie", but it is worth noting that he correctly predicted Schumacher joining Mercedes several weeks before it was officially announced.

Dammit..you prempted my 'It's Eddie Jordan' quip.

who knows, clearly Lewis isn't too happy at the moment, god knows why to be honest (personal issues not withstanding), he's had bad luck, but the car is pretty competitive, unlike at the moment Mercedes which eats it's tyres and seems painful slow too often in races.

[Pharazon]

well... it's not unsprising.. Hamilton has been screwed over by Mclaren for the past few years with their failings, i can imagine why he's getting frustrated...

i'd like to see Kobayshi at McLaren, that could be epic

[Kvothe]

Andrew Benson has already said that both Lewis and McLaren had already hashed out an agreement and were just arguing over PR duties, and after Mercedes performance this year especially with all of the reliability faults that have hit Schumacher, and the fact they don't have a member on the new F1 board, he would be a fool to move.

If true however it must mean something's gone wrong at McLaren and might fuel conspiracy theories as to Lewis' performance at Spa, and his decision to post confidential data.

Edited by Kvothe, 05 September 2012 - 16:03.

[korzeniow]

Weren't Mercedes suppose to pull out from F1?

Edited by korzeniow, 05 September 2012 - 15:52.

[DanardiF1]

Hmmm.... this isn't too outlandish a suggestion, as I recall it has been discussed many times on this board considering the relationship between Mercedes, Hamilton and McLaren at the time of his 'break' into F1.

I understand that Hamilton had always been friendly with Norbert Haug, and now that he isn't a main part of the McLaren setup (as he was when they were the 'works' squad and back when Lewis first came through) he might be looking to him for a seat and the same sort of guidance that perhaps he feels he isn't getting now at McLaren.

Ron Dennis was Lewis' mentor, with probably Haug second. That's not a slight on Martin Whitmarsh, as he obviously has known Lewis a very long time, but Dennis and Haug were his main 'benefactors' in his junior days.

[Frankbullitt]

Wow, this is big if true, but I am not 100% sure it can be trusted, stranger things have happened and it is close to Monza, the traditional spot for driver announcements.

[David Lightman]

If McLaren take Di Resta I'll change my name to Susan.

[Slackbladder]

Lets wait and see. I would like to see Lewis in a different team though, for a few reasons. Who would go to Mclaren?

Di Resta?

[BigWicks]

Let me call this now, Hamilton won't finish the season at McLaren and Di Resta will replace him next season.

[chris1234560]

I for one would be suprised if he moved to mercedes mainly due to their competitiveness. If there has been contact its probably his management doing the rounds.

[Pharazon]

Di Resta?

he's been a real dissapointment imho

[Crazy Ninja]

Di Resta?

I reckon its a definite possibility. I'm sure Mclaren would like to continue with all British line up and Di Resta is certainly no slouch.

[Kvothe]

Di Resta?

What's the obsession with Di resta? He got beaten by Sutil, and is now getting beaten by the Hulk.

If anyone had to replace Lewis, Hulkenberg is the only viable candidate imo, he's been the most consistent of the midfield drivers this season and has put in some excellent performances.

Edited by Kvothe, 05 September 2012 - 15:56.

[D.M.N.]

Having just checked:

- http://news.bbc.co.u...one/8368107.stm - November 20th, 2009 - Jordan's prediction/understanding/etc
- http://news.bbc.co.u...one/8427552.stm - December 23rd, 2009 - Deal confirmed

[xAtarigeekx]

I can't see why he would, unless personal relations between him and McLaren team bosses are at an all time low and both just want to be rid of each other. McLaren have a fast car, and reasonably good development. Yes they've made mistakes, but look at them compared to Mercedes, they are in different leagues this year.

At the moment this would be a huge backwards step for him. If a top driver moves, it's usually always to a more competitive team, or one who has reason to believe it will be more competitive. McLaren/Red Bull/Ferrari are the only teams which at the moment can guarantee some degree of success each year. Even if not the title, a top driver at these teams can expect to win a few races a year at least.

What have Mercedes done since they joined? Never been real front runners and won just 1 race because they clearly had the much better package for that circuit.

Lotus are a more likely contender than Mercedes for the foreseeable future IMO.

[KavB]

That would be shocking if true. It'll be very interesting to see who goes to McLaren. Di Resta is good, but is he good enough to be in a top seat? At the moment it is looking like Hulkenberg is the brighter prospect.

I hope this isn't true though because I'd really like to see Schumacher stay on for another year, though perhaps he can replace Massa at Ferrari or swap with McLaren! We never got to see him there before.

[BillyWhizz]

Schumacher to McLaren then???






I'll just get me coat.........


....and my hat.

[keiichi]

i'd like to see Kobayshi at McLaren, that could be epic

I agree that would be absolutely awesome, but also highly unlikely.

I must say I'm not surprised by this news considering the last two events (Bernie on Schumacher and Hamilton's telemetry case), so it has to be said it is a very good timing for coming with such speculations.

That said, I do think there is a chance of Lewis leaving Mclaren, and the most likely option would be Mercedes because of the lack of other reasonable options. Also, he's a great talent and in the future he could come to achieve with Mercedes what Schumacher did with Ferrari when Ferrari was nowhere to be seen.

For Lewis' place at Mclaren I assume the most likely option would be di Resta.

[F1ultimate]

Mercedes!! Please no Lewis. Don't do it. The team is Mercedes's biggest white elephant since the Chrysler merger. It's going nowhere.

[george1981]

It wouldn't surprise me to be honest, I speculated that the possibility of Hamilton joining Mercedes might be the reason that Schumacher announcement hasn't happened.

[pacificquay]

Better not be true unless he wants to piss away his career.

McLaren is the best place for Lewis, Whitmarsh has made it clear he wants him to stay.

[MightyMc]

Mclaren, you are absolute idiots, the best driver you've had since Senna and you constantly let him down.

Shame on you...and you are my team.

Like losing Senna all over again

[BigWicks]

Another possibility is Perez, he would fit in very well with Button's driving style in terms of car development.

[Slackbladder]

he's been a real dissapointment imho

Theres not really much choice out there to be honest:

Merc/Red Bull/Ferrari drivers all tied up or won't join (Massa on way out, Schumi possibly if what hamilton goes).

What does that leave? Lotus, well Grosjean won't be touched with a bargepole, and Kimi won't drink from the same pool twice
Sauber: Kobi would be risky, and Perez looks more bound up with Ferrari/Red Bull
Williams: Senna/Pastor- not good enough
Toro Rosso: Too tied up with Red Bull

That only leaves the Force India drivers.. DiResta and Hulkenberg.

[Longtimefan]

Yes please!

Driver swap, Lewis to Merc shitbox, Schumi to McLaren

[Anja]

Either Lewis knows something we don't or he's making an absolutely foolish move. Mercedes is going down.

[BigWicks]

I can understand why you guys are being so scathing about Mercedes but you shouldn't be, they have a seriously impressive backroom department now.

[GrumpyYoungMan]

It would be interesting to see LH in the Mercedes to see what performance he could get out of it compare to MS...;)

Edited by GrumpyYoungMan, 05 September 2012 - 16:07.

[Craven Morehead]

People will dismiss this "because it is Eddie", but it is worth noting that he correctly predicted Schumacher joining Mercedes several weeks before it was officially announced.

Which goes to show that if you make enough crazy predictions one of them is bound to come true.

[Jovanotti]

I honestly can't see this happening, but if it is true, Räikkönen is on the move.

Edited by Jovanotti, 05 September 2012 - 16:04.

[DanardiF1]

Either Lewis knows something we don't or he's making an absolutely foolish move. Mercedes is going down.

I'm sure Haug would be involved in the discussions, and would be able to tell Lewis of the team's situation.

[Kvothe]

Which goes to show that if you make enough crazy predictions one of them is bound to come true.;)

Clichéd, but a broken clock is right twice a day, than again Jordan doesn't tend to just make random driver announcements.

Edited by Kvothe, 05 September 2012 - 16:05.

[apoka]

Weren't Mercedes suppose to pull out from F1?

But only after Hamilton joins them.

[DutchCruijff]

If McLaren take di Resta & co. over Schumi, they're *******.

[Spa95]

Yes please!

Driver swap, Lewis to Merc shitbox, Schumi to McLaren

I like the way you are thinking

[MightyMc]

Either Lewis knows something we don't or he's making an absolutely foolish move. Mercedes is going down.

New engine regs, their new engine drives like a V12

[sesku]

Lewis Hamilton = Modern day Jacques Villeneuve?

[Slackbladder]

BC Sport ‏@BBCSport

Lewis Hamilton is to leave McLaren and drive for Mercedes next season, BBC Formula 1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan understands.

Thats a pretty strong tweet by the BBC though, so maybe theres something in it!

[kosmos]

What are the chances of McLaren letting Lewis fight for the WDC if he leaves?. If this it's true, it's a stupid move by both, McLaren and Hamilton, but at the same time I can understand it because there is too much negative things between them.

This move could destroy Hamilton or improve him like it happen with Alonso.

[wrcva]

I honestly can't see this happening, but if it is true, Räikkönen is on the move.

+1 (my thinking... exactly).

[KavB]

I honestly can't see this happening, but if it is true, Räikkönen is on the move.

Not entirely sure about that! He has a two year contract. There were rumours about performance clauses, but surely Kimi being 4th and Lotus being 3rd in the championship means he is fixed at Lotus. Would McLaren want to buy his contract out again? It depends on whether they are satisfied with Button as their top driver, or if they have confidence in whoever would replace Hamilton.

I think after seeing Button's run of poor races this year, they probably would!

[ayali]

Not really a surprise if this is true
The other top teams aren't interested
Macca won't pay him big bucks and his relation with the team has soured

Maybe new surroundings will do him some good

Nightmare scenario: Lewis signs and Mercedes pulls the plug on the operation ala BMW

[MightyMc]

Come on then Ron, Lewis wants to see your hand, the bluffing is over.

[JamesHunt]

I wouldnt be suprised if they approach Kimi. Whitmarsh is a big fan of Kimi

[toxicfusion]

Mercedes haven't exactly been great, they've been struggling on the various tyres since 2010.

Unless their 2013 car is set to have some extra ala the BrawnGP car, seems like a pointless move.

[gm914]

At this point Williams is a better bet for Hamilton than Mercedes. MGP is lost.

And no way MSC goes to McLaren. He either hangs up the boots or takes Massa's place and has one final year at Ferrari, helping Alonso win the WDC and fighting for the WCC.

That would kick ass.