I think he will. He could get bought out of his last year and just retire on the ultimate high note.
Then who takes his seat ? Interesting times.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:31
I think he will. He could get bought out of his last year and just retire on the ultimate high note.
Then who takes his seat ? Interesting times.
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Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:32
I’m absolutely sure he also wants a WDC under the new regs. He’s not finished.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:33
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:34
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:34
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:35
Could go either way. Seems like he is still enjoying being there. Also gets a handsome paycheck. So why leave?
If he does decide to it could be things in his private life that make him decide to retire. Or that he has achieved all he wants. Or his political/societal ambitions.
Could also be how he looks at having George in the team. I don't think he's afraid of Georges skills or pace, but it could turn into a rivalry like he had with Rosberg and could quite simply not be in the mood for that.
But I wouldn't be surprised just seeing him see out his contract for 2 more years.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:38
I’m absolutely sure he also wants a WDC under the new regs. He’s not finished.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:39
Edited by flyboym3, 20 November 2021 - 16:39.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:39
I think he will. He could get bought out of his last year and just retire on the ultimate high note.
Then who takes his seat ? Interesting times.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:40
He'll retire when it's no longer fun. Otherwise, if he's having fun, why would he retire? I don't know what the criteria is for that, but increasing the calendar length could tip the scales.
Edited by ARTGP, 20 November 2021 - 16:40.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:41
no
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:42
No.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:43
Please lock this thread, it's based on nothing as he has a contract until end of 2023.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:44
It depends if and when he gets his 8th.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:44
Depends when/if he gets his 8th of course.
I don’t think he’ll retire this year, no matter what the outcome is. Not sure I see him as one of those champions who’ll continue to make up the numbers in the midfield for years, but I’m sure as soon as the wins stop coming regularly he’ll be off to do something else, probably not even racing in another series.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:44
It depends if and when he gets his 8th.
Snap! Great minds and all that…
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:45
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:48
He can easily be bought out of his last year
Yeah I'm sure Mercedes will be happy to pay Lewis's massive wages while he sits out for a contracted year if he's the reigning 8 time world champion.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:49
Absolutely not. No reason to think he will be slower than his teammates and almost guaranteed to have a fighting chance over the next 2 years as well. In a sport where it is absolutely paramount to have a good car to fight for titles, he would be a fool to leave when he has chance to keep rewriting the record books.
Even Alonso - a man of similar talent but who is continually being kicked in the nuts with the type of machinery he has at his disposal - is still here.
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Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:50
He can easily be bought out of his last year
So now it’s not retirement, but Mercedes sacking him?
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:50
I think he will keep going as long as he feels he is competitive. I do get the feeling though that once he believes he is starting to lose his edge he won't stick around much longer.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:50
Please lock this thread, it's based on nothing as he has a contract until end of 2023.
50% of Mercedes champions retired suddenly with active contracts.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:52
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:53
It happens all the time in pro sports. Yes. They'd pay him to sit if he wanted to retire.Yeah I'm sure Mercedes will be happy to pay Lewis's massive wages while he sits out for a contracted year if he's the reigning 8 time world champion.
Edited by YamahaV10, 20 November 2021 - 16:55.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:53
Depends if and when he gets an 8th, doesn't it?
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:53
Saying, Mercedes can buy him out. Yes, they potentially could but why would they want to as long as he is delivering on the track. He is also a recognisable name outside of the sport and that would count a lot for marketing opportunities and sponsors. Don't forget that for manufacturers the point of being in F1 is a marketing exercise.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:54
50% of Mercedes champions retired suddenly with active contracts.
No they didn't. 33% did.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:55
50% of Mercedes champions retired suddenly with active contracts.
You may wish to revise your percentage..!
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:56
Zero reason to. Which probably makes everyone who thinks that he is scared of being "found out" boil their blood...
Like the motivation behind this topic....
Let's make it 10... he'll maybe retire then.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:56
Well at least he started a thread after 7 Mercedes WDC/WCC, we were getting "Mercedes already proved they can win , they should get out of the sport" before 2017 lvls of stupidity back in 2016.
Because that's what you do when you are wining, you suddenly throw that away and let other win
Edited by ToniF1, 20 November 2021 - 16:57.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 16:58
No. Hamilton will retire when it's no longer enjoyable to him (which, right now, looks a long way off)
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:02
Well at least he started a thread after 7 Mercedes WDC/WCC, we were getting "Mercedes already proved they can win , they should get out of the sport" before 2017 lvls of stupidity back in 2016.
Because that's what you do when you are wining, you suddenly throw that away and let other win
To be fair though that was basically Renault's reason for pulling out as an engine supplier after 1997. They said they were no longer getting publicity for winning as it was expected.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:02
Its not clear he will ever get an 8th title.
Verstappen still favourite this year and a young, ambitious Russell in the other car next season.......
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:04
. He is also a recognisable name outside of the sport and that would count a lot for marketing opportunities and sponsors. Don't forget that for manufacturers the point of being in F1 is a marketing exercise.
Is he though?
My impression is that people who are not F1 fans usually don’t even know about the drivers.
Despite being a world championship it’s still quite limited. I have zero interest in football and have never watched a single game in my life, but I have heard of Ronaldo/Messi/Pele.
does any f1 driver has such recognition? I’m not sure. Maybe Senna or Schumacher, but even then.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:05
If he is ever going to get the 8th title, surely he will retire after getting it and not before.
/close the thread
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:07
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:12
Is he though?
My impression is that people who are not F1 fans usually don’t even know about the drivers.
Despite being a world championship it’s still quite limited. I have zero interest in football and have never watched a single game in my life, but I have heard of Ronaldo/Messi/Pele.
does any f1 driver has such recognition? I’m not sure. Maybe Senna or Schumacher, but even then.
Well just on instagram he has 25.2 million followers and he is from a big country with big media (UK) not like for example Djokovic(Serbia). Thats big exposure.
He alone has more than F1, Mclaren and Ferrari together, so its not just F1 fans.
Edited by ToniF1, 20 November 2021 - 17:14.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:14
All this childish paranoia everywhere... It's pathetic.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:25
Well at least he started a thread after 7 Mercedes WDC/WCC, we were getting "Mercedes already proved they can win , they should get out of the sport" before 2017 lvls of stupidity back in 2016.
Because that's what you do when you are wining, you suddenly throw that away and let other win
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Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:27
Verstappen still favourite this year ......
Posted 20 November 2021 - 17:31
I think he will. He could get bought out of his last year and just retire on the ultimate high note.
Then who takes his seat ? Interesting times.
I think he’s looking forward to the new regs. He’s a beast in race pace and tyre management, and if he can follow closely, the pressure he will put on the driver he is chasing will be phenomenal to watch. Same with Max, except for the tyre management not beyond doubt yet.
I just hope all the cars are close enough that we can see these drivers chase down other cars. If either Merc or Red Bull are standalone in front on pace next year, we won’t get to see often what those two drivers are capable of in the race if this new series allows cars to follow closely.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:00
I think he’s looking forward to the new regs. He’s a beast in race pace and tyre management, and if he can follow closely, the pressure he will put on the driver he is chasing will be phenomenal to watch. Same with Max, except for the tyre management not beyond doubt yet.
I just hope all the cars are close enough that we can see these drivers chase down other cars. If either Merc or Red Bull are standalone in front on pace next year, we won’t get to see often what those two drivers are capable of in the race if this new series allows cars to follow closely.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:05
Last season I recall comments suggesting Hamilton should retire because his championships were meaningless give the superiority of the W11 and Bottas unable to mount a sort challenge. This year we have an intense, closely fought battle with Red Bull and more suggestions of retirement despite him performing at a high level and signing a contract for 2022 and 2023................
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:15
In my heart of hearts I hope he returns to McLaren to retire.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:17
In my heart of hearts I hope he returns to McLaren to retire.
I want him to go to Ferrari - if only so I get to listen to the screams of the Tifosi
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:18
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:38
As long as he has the best he will not retire,,, and who can blame him for that?
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:40
I think he will. He could get bought out of his last year and just retire on the ultimate high note.
Then who takes his seat ? Interesting times.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:41
I want him to go to Ferrari - if only so I get to listen to the screams of the Tifosi
Lew signed a deal with the devil. Only Merc engine for him, for life.
And who can blame him? it's very leisurely.
Posted 20 November 2021 - 18:57
No to both questions.