1257 replies to this topic

[Marklar]

Ted revealed in his notebook that rumours were that Hamilton wanted to quit Mercedes after Barcelona (on the contrary we had at that time the for me at that time crazy rumour that Mercedes wanted to fire him), which is the reason why Mercedes gave Rosberg a two years contract instead of one. When Brundle asked him today, he didnt denied it and said that it is private.

 

Combined with the events during the race today and several other events this year and the fact that Hamiltons has an opt-out clause in his contract for the end of 2017 I wanted to discuss what this could all mean for his future and I think it merrits a discussion. Will he stay at Mercedes when all this is forgotten and forgiven again, will he go somewhere else (McLaren? Ferrari?) or will he quit F1 all together after next year?

 

Please keep all the other discussions about Hamilton which are not related to Hamiltons possible future out of this thread.

Edited by Marklar, 28 November 2016 - 14:18.

[Ricardo F1]

Nothing to forgive, they need him next year and probably beyond.

[peroa]

I think he'll wait to see how 2017 unfolds, not just pacewise but also how the team management will act.

[jestaudio]

I,ve gone for leave for another team, I live in hope  

[tearitup]

Lewis is the only one to stop Ricciardo and Verstappen if red bull have a wdc capable car next year.

[joegsmro]

I never thought I will say this ever but ... I want to see him in a Ferrari ... with the passion of that team he will be in that happy bubble he likes to be.

[GrumpyYoungMan]

Depends on how the next generation of PU's proform.

[SophieB]

I want him to be at Red Bull vs Verstappen but we never really get what we want in this imperfect world.

[Radstaker]

So that's the Reason Ocon goes to FI and Wherlein to .. ?

 

Just kidding. Why would Hamilton quite such a dominate car.

[superdelphinus]

Merc will still likely be ahead in PU terms, it's the aero that'll be the benchmark

[Dalin80]

Would be great to see him in LMP or run his own LMP3 team.

[NateF]

Will wait out in 2017, to see what the competition brings, I think if Ferrari step up, and there is a chance to move there he'll go

Edited by NateF, 27 November 2016 - 17:32.

[superdelphinus]

I want him to be at Red Bull vs Verstappen but we never really get what we want in this imperfect world.

Me too, I see verstappen as hamilton's spiritual successor

[Jamiednm]

Nothing to forgive, they need him next year and probably beyond.

 

This all day long. He'll stay at Mercedes and smash Rosberg in to the ground.

Edited by Jamiednm, 27 November 2016 - 17:33.

[Clatter]

I want him to be at Red Bull vs Verstappen but we never really get what we want in this imperfect world.

Probably more chance of seeing that pairing at somewhere like Ferrari.

[Darth Sidious]

He'll leave for another team. Toto has always seemed Nico's advocate and Niki fought for Lewis' corner. Now nobody fights Lewis' corner and its always his actions that come under scrutiny. Even Paddy wanted him to give up the fight today so that Nico had an easier end to his already underwhelming WDC victory. Mercedes would be fools to lose him to a competitor, but I feel that if McLaren get that Honda on song then he might return to end his career there, or if not then a tenure at Ferrari to round off his career might be a move he'd contemplate. Paddy is being rumoured to be moving on, so maybe Lewis isn't the only one sensing something amiss behind the scenes at Merc.

[garoidb]

I never thought I will say this ever but ... I want to see him in a Ferrari ... with the passion of that team he will be in that happy bubble he likes to be.

 

That could be a complete nightmare for all concerned, though.

[tearitup]

I want him to be at Red Bull vs Verstappen but we never really get what we want in this imperfect world.

Both RBR drivers are up to par with hamilton. I'd like to see a 3 way battle between them next year. Lewis would be a perfect fit for red bull though

[LuckyStrike1]

Leave F1 - but we never get what we want in this world so he'll stay and he'll stay at Mercedes and Mercedes will stay in F1. 

Edited by LuckyStrike1, 27 November 2016 - 17:34.

[Muppetmad]

I hope Hamilton leaves F1 and goes to IndyCar to have fun with Pagenaud, Power and Newgarden...

 

...but I know that's not likely to happen 

[Clatter]

Both RBR drivers are up to par with hamilton. I'd like to see a 3 way battle between them next year. Lewis would be a perfect fit for red bull though

Why only a 3 way battle? I'm hoping it will be 6 or more drivers battling it out.

[garoidb]

Me too, I see verstappen as hamilton's spiritual successor

 

Yes, Max is the new guy. I don't see Mercedes getting their hands on him for a while yet, though. As has been implied, Red Bull don't sign established drivers at this stage (and have no need to).

[gillesfan76]

I never thought I will say this ever but ... I want to see him in a Ferrari ... with the passion of that team he will be in that happy bubble he likes to be.

 

No way, their incompetence would drive him crazy and his outbursts would drive them crazy. They are barely tolerating Seb's outbursts as it is. Unless the situation drastically changes, for example Brawn goes back to Ferrari to bring the team back to its former glory, the red team is no place for Lewis.

 

I want him to be at Red Bull vs Verstappen but we never really get what we want in this imperfect world.

 

That would be a fantastic pairing for the viewers. It would be fireworks for Red Bull and the races would be edge of seat stuff. Nightmare for Red Bull to manage though.

[OO7]

I never thought I will say this ever but ... I want to see him in a Ferrari ... with the passion of that team he will be in that happy bubble he likes to be.

Ferrari don't really look like they're going anywhere in a hurry other than backwards unfortunately.  I see the team ranking over the next couple of years as being:

 

1) Mercedes

2) Red Bull

3) McLaren

4) Renault/Ferrari

 

It could be close between Mercedes and RBR however.

[f1paul]

Mclaren maybe, but only if they make a championship winning car within the next 3-4 years

[RPM40]

IMO Lewis isn't really replaceable and Nico is not an alternative. Nico may win a title in effectively a two player championship with uneven bad luck but he's not going to fight drivers in equal or superior cars like Lewis could.

I don't understand Hamilton's motives for leaving personally. Why was Spain significant?

[NateF]

Leave F1 - but we never get what we want in this world so he'll stay and he'll stay at F1.

Sadly we don't get what we always want, avoiding the diatribe is a good start though.

[Huffer]

Difficult to say - Toto is hardly Ham's biggest fan and Lauda seems to go into rage mode at the slightest thing. 

 

I guess it depends on how Hamilton feels he is treated next season - he'll put up with a less than cordial relationship as long as he's given equal treatment in a competitive car. RBR are happy with their drivers, Ferrari seems to be where race drivers go to fade away and McLaren are nowhere. 

[Clatter]

IMO Lewis isn't really replaceable and Nico is not an alternative. Nico may win a title in effectively a two player championship with uneven bad luck but he's not going to fight drivers in equal or superior cars like Lewis could.

I don't understand Hamilton's motives for leaving personally. Why was Spain significant?

My guess is he was catching flak from the team for taking the pair of them out.

[NateF]

No way, their incompetence would drive him crazy and his outbursts would drive them crazy. They are barely tolerating Seb's outbursts as it is. Unless the situation drastically changes, for example Brawn goes back to Ferrari to bring the team back to its former glory, the red team is no place for Lewis.


That would be a fantastic pairing for the viewers. It would be fireworks for Red Bull and the races would be edge of seat stuff. Nightmare for Red Bull to manage though.

I actually don't think it would be difficult to manage to characters like Hamilton and Verstappen as many think. It's difficult to manage opposites, having two people with similar instincts and attitudes would be easier, just that they would be more forgiving and understanding of one another and open about it

Edited by NateF, 27 November 2016 - 17:40.

[joegsmro]

No way, their incompetence would drive him crazy and his outbursts would drive them crazy. They are barely tolerating Seb's outbursts as it is. Unless the situation drastically changes, for example Brawn goes back to Ferrari to bring the team back to its former glory, the red team is no place for Lewis.

 

 

That would be a fantastic pairing for the viewers. It would be fireworks for Red Bull and the races would be edge of seat stuff. Nightmare for Red Bull to manage though.

I think I saw Paddy smiling on the transmission ... rumors Paddy moving to Ferrari ... who knows 

[Clatter]

Because that'd being realistic. Vettel and Rosberg can't hang with these three, that much is clear.

Vettel would've been destroyed if he faced the likes of Danny Ric in his wdc years.

I disagree, but can only hope the other teams can produce cars to allow a challenge.

[Claudiu]

It would be madness to fire Hamilton, he is one of the best drivers of his generation.

[GrumpyYoungMan]

Nothing to forgive, they need him next year and probably beyond.

Not probably they will...

[Disgrace]

Nothing to forgive, they need him next year and probably beyond.

 

Without Hamilton, Mercedes would have sealed three titles with Rosberg instead. It seems to me that Hamilton needs the team more than vice versa, which is understandable given the superiority of the equipment. Hamilton made a masterstroke signing for Mercedes. It's in his interest to patch up the relationship.

[SophieB]

I'm not sure why would be bothered to lose him. They think both are just as good, right? You only need one....

[weston]

I want him to be at Red Bull vs Verstappen but we never really get what we want in this imperfect world.

 

Yep. I wanted Hamilton be paired with Schumacher at the Merc.

[muramasa]

　

I wouldnt take the story at face value. Even that there was tension at that time (and now) is true, at the height of difficulties it's natural to clash and some things get taken out of context, which has been witnessed so many times.

You can fall out anytime of course but atm I dont see it.

Edited by muramasa, 27 November 2016 - 17:51.

[JHSingo]

He'll be fine. He'd be mad to leave Mercedes (unless he's bored of winning so easily, and wants to take on the challenge of Ferrari...) and Mercedes would be mad to get rid of him. Today's events were but a storm in a teacup, and will be long forgotten by the first race of 2017.

[OO7]

Yes, Max is the new guy. I don't see Mercedes getting their hands on him for a while yet, though. As has been implied, Red Bull don't sign established drivers at this stage (and have no need to).

RBR generally only pick from their driver programme and it has been very successful in producing very strong drivers over the last few years.

[sopa]

May well see Hamilton in another team in the future. Driver motivations can swing around. However, for that to happen there needs to be some kind of a major shift in F1 performance structure. That the likes of Ferrari, or McLaren, or even Renault would be a much more attractive proposition than they currently are, compared to Merc anyway.

 

Also, considering Hamilton has a contract till 2018, he'd need to have a clause in it to exit it early. It could be a performance clause - like Vettel had with Red Bull in 2014 - but who counts on Mercedes being rubbish next year? Lol. Which other clause could there be?

 

After 2018 I can see Hamilton leaving to find a new motivation. But first let's see, how the next seasons unfold, and how various team performances and also team-mate battles shift around. These will be major game-changers, which are hard to predict right now.

[tearitup]

I disagree, but can only hope the other teams can produce cars to allow a challenge.

You'd think? Vettel lost out against Ric and this year he's having a difficult time against an aging Kimi. He has a tendency to sulk instead of strike back.

[NateF]

Without Hamilton, Mercedes would have sealed three titles with Rosberg instead. It seems to me that Hamilton needs the team more than vice versa, which is understandable given the superiority of the equipment. Hamilton made a masterstroke signing for Mercedes. It's in his interest to patch up the relationship.

True Hamilton is just a passenger in Mercedes success, wonder it took Rosberg six years to win a WDC with them

[wj_gibson]

IMO Lewis isn't really replaceable and Nico is not an alternative. Nico may win a title in effectively a two player championship with uneven bad luck but he's not going to fight drivers in equal or superior cars like Lewis could.

I don't understand Hamilton's motives for leaving personally. Why was Spain significant?

 

I've seen this sort of thing in my professional life - people "quit" when they actually want to stay and be treated more favourably - and assume they are so indispensable that they'll get everything they want.

I've long had the feeling that Paddy Lowe would rather Lewis wasn't there.

[Jamiednm]

Both RBR drivers are up to par with hamilton. I'd like to see a 3 way battle between them next year. Lewis would be a perfect fit for red bull though

 

Agreed, but can't see it happening.

 

What I'd like to see happen is him stay at Merc for 2017 and get back to schooling Nico while racing against competitive Red Bulls, Ferrari's and a dramatically-improving McLaren. I'd then want him to make an announcement in Singapore that he has signed a deal from 2018 to return to McLaren. Merc start openly backing Nico more, but Lewis still wins the title then rounds out his last few years in F1 duking it out with Alonso in title-winning McLaren Hondas.

 

But this isn't WWE.

[tearitup]

Without Hamilton, Mercedes would have sealed three titles with Rosberg instead. It seems to me that Hamilton needs the team more than vice versa, which is understandable given the superiority of the equipment. Hamilton made a masterstroke signing for Mercedes. It's in his interest to patch up the relationship.

As i've said before, no one cares about a perfectly groomed son in law named rosberg. Youth atleast identifies with Lewis and there future sales of mercedes cars lie with him

Edited by tearitup, 27 November 2016 - 17:46.

[Marklar]

Without Hamilton, Mercedes would have sealed three titles with Rosberg instead. It seems to me that Hamilton needs the team more than vice versa, which is understandable given the superiority of the equipment. Hamilton made a masterstroke signing for Mercedes. It's in his interest to patch up the relationship.

I think the poster was refering to the possibility that Mercedes might not be dominating anymore next year

[OO7]

But this isn't WWE.

With the rules going the way they are, it could very well become F1E.

Edited by OO7, 27 November 2016 - 17:57.

[NateF]

I've seen this sort of thing in my professional life - people "quit" when they actually want to stay and be treated more favourably - and assume they are so indispensable that they'll get everything they want.
I've long had the feeling that Paddy Lowe would rather Lewis wasn't there.

Then he shouldn't have followed him to Mercedes if he didn't want him where he was. Interesting logic from Lowe doesn't like the guy and moves to the same team as him, or is this wishful thinking on your part?

[wj_gibson]

Then he shouldn't have followed him to Mercedes if he didn't want him where he was. Interesting logic from Lowe doesn't like the guy and moves to the same team as him, or is this wishful thinking on your part?

 

Lowe was being lined up long before Lewis made any decision to move there.