691 replies to this topic

[absinthedude]

Yep. I think a lot of people hoped he'd retire, or throw his toys out of the pram.

There was never any shred of evidence that he might. All hope and perhaps speculation.

 

As he gets closer to 40, there is a genuine question of whether this is his last season. Especially if he looks like taking the title. Presumably Mercedes do have some ideas of what they'll do when Lewis does finally hang up his helmet for F1 purposes.

[Beri]

Not so much hope, but even the most avid Hamilton fan must have had the "Will Hamilton retire?" question running through their head. It is plain logic that one thinks that way because of the fact that any information was not given by the team nor driver after the teamboss himself exclaimed that Hamilton might quit.

[jjcale]

Not so much hope, but even the most avid Hamilton fan must have had the "Will Hamilton retire?" question running through their head. It is plain logic that one thinks that way because of the fact that any information was not given by the team nor driver after the teamboss himself exclaimed that Hamilton might quit.

 

If you follow LH or Merc ... youve leanred not to pay too much attention to anything Toto says ... most of what he says is a bit like LH saying "my tires are dead" .... its not a lie but it means something else than the obvious.

 

Maybe we should coin a term ... Merc-speak.

[F1 Mike]

Not so much hope, but even the most avid Hamilton fan must have had the "Will Hamilton retire?" question running through their head. It is plain logic that one thinks that way because of the fact that any information was not given by the team nor driver after the teamboss himself exclaimed that Hamilton might quit.

The most avid fans know he would never ever quit under those circumstances at the end of the season. He's a fighter, a racer, a world champion, and an honourable sportsman.

Quitting after Abu Dhabi would have been ridiculous and the suggestion that he might quit was also ridiculous.

[Beri]

The most avid fans know he would never ever quit under those circumstances at the end of the season. He's a fighter, a racer, a world champion, and an honourable sportsman.

Quitting after Abu Dhabi would have been ridiculous and the suggestion that he might quit was also ridiculous.

 

Whilst all of this being true, no Hamilton fan can convince me that they never ever doubted for one second 

 

But the best thing of all, he is still onboard and we can still enjoy his presence and racing art.

[mtknot]

This thread aged like milk 

[OO7]

The most avid fans know he would never ever quit under those circumstances at the end of the season. He's a fighter, a racer, a world champion, and an honourable sportsman.

Quitting after Abu Dhabi would have been ridiculous and the suggestion that he might quit was also ridiculous.

I think quite a few people also fail to understand just how much he enjoys F1 and how dedicated to it he is.  Him retiring was always a long shot for me for reasons which include the new cars and tyres.

[noikeee]

Perhaps not doubts, more like hopes for many people.

Possibly but also the off season is really boring so speculating on unlikely scenarios was one of the most interesting things to do.

[Pieter]

According to the Companies House website, there has been a transfer of stock on the 25th of January, Toto Wolff and Ineos are now also stock and voting rights holder of the team.

[PayasYouRace]

Would this thread have 13 pages otherwise?

There were never any doubts. Seems some people never quite got the message that the thread was to discuss who would take his seat in the unlikely event that he would leave, not whether he would leave.

[F1 Mike]

There were never any doubts. Seems some people never quite got the message that the thread was to discuss who would take his seat in the unlikely event that he would leave, not whether he would leave.

If Putin decides to retire and donate the whole of Russia to another country, let's speculate on which country he would give it to......

But wait, that's also a pointless discussion and a scenario which would never happen

[PayasYouRace]

If Putin decides to retire and donate the whole of Russia to another country, let's speculate on which country he would give it to......

But wait, that's also a pointless discussion and a scenario which would never happen

If you think a discussion is pointless, don’t post in it.

[Beri]

There were never any doubts. Seems some people never quite got the message that the thread was to discuss who would take his seat in the unlikely event that he would leave, not whether he would leave.

 

Untrue. Doubts were raised by Wolff by stating Hamilton might quit due to all the fuss in Abu Dhabi.

[Sterzo]

Untrue. Doubts were raised by Wolff by stating Hamilton might quit due to all the fuss in Abu Dhabi.

You may have a different quote in mind, but the only comment I remember was: "I would very much hope that Lewis continues racing - because he is the greatest driver of all times... I think as a racer his heart will say he needs to continue." It was in a media briefing and it wasn't clear whether Wolff was volunteering a statement or answering a question.

 

Anyway, now it's obvious he's not retiring, I can claim Wolff definitely would have followed my suggestion of taking Grosjean if he had.

[BRG]

According to the Companies House website, there has been a transfer of stock on the 25th of January, Toto Wolff and Ineos are now also stock and voting rights holder of the team.

Some confusion there though - it says that Ineos and Toto each have 25% or more, and Daimler Benz UK have 50% or more.  So presumably it is in fact Daimler Benz that retain majority control, not a three way equal split as was mooted way back when this story began.  Which suggests that the mother company isn't going anywhere any time soon.

[DeKnyff]

Some confusion there though - it says that Ineos and Toto each have 25% or more, and Daimler Benz UK have 50% or more.  So presumably it is in fact Daimler Benz that retain majority control, not a three way equal split as was mooted way back when this story began.  Which suggests that the mother company isn't going anywhere any time soon.

 

I really can't imagine a multinational corporation like Daimler-Benz accepting to lose the majority of vote in a venture where it's name and it's reputation is at the stake and gets huge global media coverture.

[aportinga]

This thread aged like milk 

 

I love this!

[aportinga]

The most avid fans know he would never ever quit under those circumstances at the end of the season. He's a fighter, a racer, a world champion, and an honourable sportsman.

Quitting after Abu Dhabi would have been ridiculous and the suggestion that he might quit was also ridiculous.

 

Completely - he was not going to retire but it was fun.

 

The highlighted made me think of who fits that the most for my tenure as a fan and I would have to say Mika Hakkinen.

[aportinga]

If Putin decides to retire and donate the whole of Russia to another country, let's speculate on which country he would give it to......

But wait, that's also a pointless discussion and a scenario which would never happen

 

But yet here you are posting... Nice argument.

[F1 Mike]

Indeed 😂

[PlatenGlass]

This is still open to suggestions isn't it? Got to be Jos Verstappen. Presumably he wants to take it to the Max and prove once and for all who is the true Verstappen.

[jjcale]

But yet here you are posting... Nice argument.

 

Yes ...but can he hear you...

 

Edited by jjcale, 18 February 2022 - 21:27.

[Pieter]

Some confusion there though - it says that Ineos and Toto each have 25% or more, and Daimler Benz UK have 50% or more.  So presumably it is in fact Daimler Benz that retain majority control, not a three way equal split as was mooted way back when this story began.  Which suggests that the mother company isn't going anywhere any time soon.

 

I found this in the Mercedes-Benz annual report, on page 220.

 

https://group.merced...-meetings/2022/

 

Sale of interests in Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

In December 2020, the Group decided to sell shares in Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. In this context, the contractual agreements were concluded in the fourth quarter of 2021. In 2021, the entity’s assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale. Due to its minor importance for the financial position of the Mercedes-Benz Group, the assets (€0.3 billion) and liabilities (€0.2 billion) held for sale are not presented separately in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. Due to the effectiveness of parts of the contractual arrangements entered into, the Group recognized expenses before taxes of €96 million in the year 2021, which are included in the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans segment.

 

With the remaining contractual arrangements taking effect in January 2022, the Group has given up control over Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. and will include its remaining 33.3% equity interest in the Consolidated Financial Statements in future periods using the equity method. As a consequence, the Group expects to recognise a gain of about €0.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022, which will be allocated to the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans segment.

Edited by Pieter, 07 April 2022 - 20:38.

[aportinga]

So I think he walks away after a so-so season where GR completely beates him at every race. 

 

GR gets #1 status so Gasly seems the logical choice...

[hamalo]

So I think he walks away after a so-so season where GR completely beates him at every race. 

 

GR gets #1 status so Gasly seems the logical choice...

 

Didn't he say somewhere lately that he wants to extend his contract?

 

I honestly never ever see Gasly in a merc, there are so many more Options.

[Clatter]

Didn't he say somewhere lately that he wants to extend his contract?

I honestly never ever see Gasly in a merc, there are so many more Options.

What options?

[HeadFirst]

What options?

 

Well if George "completely beats him at every race" (stated in post #674), that makes it a search for a #2. Lots of options there, even if you have to put DeVries or VanDoorne in the car for a season, or 2, while you wait for a better choice to be free of contract obligations. Conversely if Lewis regains his WDC contender form, I guess the question is moot. All of this depends of course on whether the car is competitive.

[pdac]

Well if George "completely beats him at every race" (stated in post #674), that makes it a search for a #2. Lots of options there, even if you have to put DeVries or VanDoorne in the car for a season, or 2, while you wait for a better choice to be free of contract obligations. Conversely if Lewis regains his WDC contender form, I guess the question is moot. All of this depends of course on whether the car is competitive.

 

If they car is competitive, George 'completely beats him at ever race' and Lewis decides to go, they may as well seek out Alonso or Vettel.

[aportinga]

If they car is competitive, George 'completely beats him at ever race' and Lewis decides to go, they may as well seek out Alonso or Vettel.

 

Would Merc push for the German?

 

I'd still like to see Gasly with a more competitive car.

[Arska]

This thread aged like milk 

 

Maybe more like wine at the moment. 

[P123]

Would Merc push for the German?

 

I'd still like to see Gasly with a more competitive car.

 

He already had one.

[Loosenut]

Aww hell OK, I'll do it.

[Victor]

Make no mistakes. If the car gets competitive Hamilton will beat Russell at every GP

[aportinga]

Make no mistakes. If the car gets competitive Hamilton will beat Russell at every GP

 

Not that far away IMO. 3-4 races I would expect an outfit like Merc can get there.

 

Unfortunately I think GR is more hungry and if he continues win the team may likely put their weight behind the younger driver.

[Arska]

Make no mistakes. If the car gets competitive Hamilton will beat Russell at every GP

 

Is Louis just cruising around right now, unmotivated and all? Or what's the deal?

[BRG]

If they car is competitive, George 'completely beats him at ever race' and Lewis decides to go, they may as well seek out Alonso or Vettel.

So that George can beat another multiple WC?

[garoidb]

So that George can beat another multiple WC?

 

Best go for Vettel then.

[BCNF1]

Is Louis just cruising around right now, unmotivated and all? Or what's the deal?

No he was pushing like a mad man the last race to get P5 and was unhappy not to get it, only a safety car got Russell ahead and him not getting the best result for the team.

[CoolBreeze]

Make no mistakes. If the car gets competitive Hamilton will beat Russell at every GP

The car is competitive. GR is beating drama queen fair and square.

[7WDC]

Make no mistakes. If the car gets competitive Hamilton will beat Russell at every GP

 

The car is competitive, just not for the 1st position.

But a racing driver and a champion even more is supposed to do the best possible with the machinery he has. Right?

[garoidb]

The car is competitive, just not for the 1st position.

But a racing driver and a champion even more is supposed to do the best possible with the machinery he has. Right?

 

It is better than what most drivers have for most of their careers. It is basically the normal situation for a driver in F1. 

[Victor]

I am not a Hamilton fan, however I respect him a lot as a driver.

Hamilton is used to win. At this point of his career only victory matters. He is frustated after being robbed for a well deserved WDC. He is not highly motivated.

The Mercedes is OK, but not good enough. Give him a competitive car (for wins) and you will see him back to business.

As per Russell it is exactly the opposite. He is hunger for whatever he can get, so he is happy to squeeze any extra speed that he can get from the car.

I would wait and see, before considering Hamilton finished.