[Bludd]

Originally Posted by Kaotik

The rules changed, that's the problem - the punishment was in line with the rules, but it's not like Vettel did it on purpose.
What's not in line with rules is the fact that Alonso didn't get penalized earlier.

Because it was a first lap incident, it occurred during the first few corners and it didn't result in anything bad except Di Resta not getting ahead. This has been a part of F1 for many, many years. For example Kimi Räikkönen at La Source on lap 1 in 2009.

It is a pragmatic stance by the FIA because if they didn't do this, they would spend too much time going over first lap and first corner incidents. The cars are too bunched up, they are squabbling and this is the only way to do it if you want human involvement in the stewarding.

[Phil]

Looks like there's a big chance that Lewis may indeed be moving on from McLaren.


If this does happen - while I think his managment has a big influence in getting the 'right deal' - I'm still not convinced this is just about money or him growing as a brand.

IMO there is some 'resentment' from the team towards Lewis. Maybe it's because of his image, maybe it's his attitude, maybe it's because of his managment, maybe it's because his teammate is so much more liked (being more experienced, older and mature)... maybe it's a bit of everything. The tweet surely didn't make things better.

I would love for him to stay with McLaren, but my gut feeling is telling me Lewis is moving on.


On a positive note - maybe Mercedes GP will be the team to be in come 2014 with the new engine regs.

[Gubbi]

I think it is part of contract negotiations.

Lewis has ambitions, - he wants to win championships. That implies one of three teams currently: McLaren, Red Bull or Ferrari.

I'm sure we can agree him signing with Ferrari and teaming up with Alonso again has a very low order of probability.

Similar with a shift to Red Bull: He'd have to compete with Vettel, who is much more important to RB's germanic base than he'll ever be. He doesn't want to be the next Mark Webber.

He has matured and been driving really well this year and if it weren't for the pit gaffes in the start of the season he would have lead the championship now. If there is resentment I guess it goes both ways; the McLaren team didn't perform in the first third of the season, unlike the cars and drivers.

Mercedes or Lotus/Renault is much more unlikely.

I expect him to get a record contract: Huge salary and a chunk of merchandise sales (like Schumachers old Ferrari deal).

Cheers

[Phil]

Gubbi - it seems McLaren is not able to fullfill his wishes on huge salary (due to an increase in costs, as they will need to pay for the Mercedes engines in the future) and there are rumours that Vodaphone may be decreasing their sponsorship. From what I've read, McLaren are also reluctant to give him more leeway on private sponsoring - they have been traditionally very strict (for reasons I can't quite figure out).

This may be all due to contract negotiations, but to me it looks McLaren can't afford (or doesn't want to) to meet salary demands and are even suggesting a pay cut - and pushing the angle that they are a top team and the only team that is able to offer Lewis a probable race-winning seat.

At the end of the day, what I find more worring than any talk about money or being able to keep the real trophies is that he does not seem to get on well with the team anymore. I've had this feeling ever since Whitmarsh got Jenson into the team and I think there may be more to it than what is known in public domain.

There was an article in German "Spiegel Magazine" on this topic specifically and there were a few interesting comments. One of them specifically that the scandal regarding Hamiltons tweeting of telemetry data caused quite a stir within the team - and apparently, quite a few within the team are "fuming". This may be intepretation on behalf of the german magazine, but if there is any truth to it, it to me sounds like there are deeper problems within the relationship of Lewis and his team.

Anyway, no facts here nor insider knowlege, just a gut feeling...


EDIT: Just wanted to add (and felt it would be more appropriate to add it as an edit than another post), that while Hamiltons ambitions are clear - I think the issue may be that he can't share his ambitions with his team. Perhaps in other worlds - a higher pay (or more sucess) is not always (more) rewarding if there's something wrong in the working environment.

James Allen has something written up
Spiegel.de on Hamilton and why he may move to Mercedes

[tongue_of_colicab]

I don't see why mclaren should give in to Hamilton. If he really wants to win he has no choice but mclaren. Mercedes is the only team that might be willing to hire Hamilton and pay mr. hollywood boy what he wants but a) that would depend on what schumi does as he has way, way more value to merc than Hamilton and b) I don't see them competing with mclaren/ferrari/rbr for championships.

Besides, it's not like mclaren can't do withouth him. Button might not belong to the absolute top drivers but he has shown that he can do a good enough job and it won't be hard to find a decent enough driver to replace hamilton.

Though I wouldnt mind seeing him go somewhere else. The less I see of him the better.

[Bludd]

I'd love to see Kimi go back to McLaren and finally get a WDC with them after 2 failed attempts.

[tongue_of_colicab]

I doubt Kimi is willing to put up with the mclaren sponsorship obligations.

[Gubbi]

Originally Posted by Bludd

I'd love to see Kimi go back to McLaren and finally get a WDC with them after 2 failed attempts.

That would certainly be an acceptable substitute for McLaren if Hamilton were to leave.

Cheers

[Gubbi]

Originally Posted by Phil

This may be all due to contract negotiations, but to me it looks McLaren can't afford (or doesn't want to) to meet salary demands and are even suggesting a pay cut - and pushing the angle that they are a top team and the only team that is able to offer Lewis a probable race-winning seat.

It think this is what it is all about, which is why I think both Lewis and McLaren will come round.

If he moves to Mercedes his career will be in the doldrums for a couple of years. Mercedes has the best engine, but their aero is way behind the competition.

Cheers

[Bludd]

Remember: new engine regs for 2014

[Tahir2]

Great looks like Hamilton may be going after all ... should invigorate the drivers market!

As to his replacement: I'm sorry but I am not going to rate Di Resta, qualifies well and then goes backwards consistently. If anyone it should be another young driver, someone who can adapt quickly and has good race pace. Only person I can think of is Pastor Maldanado.

[Bludd]

Originally Posted by Tahir2

Great looks like Hamilton may be going after all ... should invigorate the drivers market!

As to his replacement: I'm sorry but I am not going to rate Di Resta, qualifies well and then goes backwards consistently. If anyone it should be another young driver, someone who can adapt quickly and has good race pace. Only person I can think of is Pastor Maldanado.

You owe me a new monitor as this one is sure to short out due to the amount of water I just sprayed at it!

[Bludd]

RIP Prof. Sid Watkins

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/0...s-passes-away/

[Billy Idol]

Originally Posted by Bludd

RIP Prof. Sid Watkins

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/0...s-passes-away/

Sad...

[Davros]

A true great
from my hometown no less

[Bludd]

You can't tell from this picture that Alonso is sponsored by Oakley

https://twitter.com/alo_oficial/stat...551553/photo/1

[Bludd]

Hamilton on pole with Maldonado next to him on row 1. Will we see Maldonado's do something insane or will he keep to himself? Vettel had been quickest most of the sessions, but had to settle with third with Button alongside.
Rest in order: Alonso, Di Resta, Webber, Grosjean, Schumacher, Rosberg, Hulkenberg, Räikkönen, Massa, Perez, Ricciardo, Vergne, Senna, Kobayashi, Petrov, Kovalainen, Glock, Pic, Karthikeyan, de la Rosa.

Pic and de la Rosa have penalties. Webber was reprimanded for blocking Glock in Q1.

[AlphaWolf]

With Hamilton and Maldonado on the same row they should probably have the yellow flag warmed up and ready for turn 1.

[DJ12]

I think McLaren were giving Red Bull at taste of their own medicine from the last 2 seasons, letting the other team think they are quicker in practice and whoop them in qualifying.

[UniversalTruth]

Fernando Alonso with his Ferrari with every single race is closer and closer to his third champ title. Let's keep our fingers crossed for him. He is the best.

[Kaotik]

Originally Posted by UniversalTruth

He is the best.

Only if having the best luck counts as "being best"

[UniversalTruth]

Originally Posted by Kaotik

Only if having the best luck counts as "being best"

Yup, it has to.
I'm not sure if you know but I think it is generally accepted that people 'make' their luck, that is,,, everything has reasons and consequencies, good luck is a consequence of positive thinking.

[Kaotik]

Originally Posted by UniversalTruth

Yup, it has to.
I'm not sure if you know but I think it is generally accepted that people 'make' their luck, that is,,, everything has reasons and consequencies, good luck is a consequence of positive thinking.

True that too, but was referring to Alonso having luck on competitors dropping off like flies, while Ferrari seems to be indestructible regarding technical issues

[Rurouni]

Originally Posted by Kaotik

True that too, but was referring to Alonso having luck on competitors dropping off like flies, while Ferrari seems to be indestructible regarding technical issues

Alonso did have mechanical issue. It was at Monza Q3. But with his luck, that problem didn't manifest itself at Q1 or at least Q2. Or worse, it could happen during the race. Instead, Button got a relatively rare problem that made Alonso finish in the podium.

[Lightman]

There are two different philosophies at play.
One is Ferrari with overlay bulletproof reliability of the car and very safe pair of hands to take that car as far as possible (Fernando). Ferrari themselves said in one of interviews this weekend they only bring updates to the car they are sure will not cause any reliability problems as scoring good points is now pivotal to their championship fight.
Other approach is best shown by McLaren and RedBull where they are pushing developments very fast but it not always guarantees they will make it to the finish line. Hamilton is more of a fighter and take more risks than Alonso on the track if not in front so McLaren have to give him fastest car so he can relax a bit while leading the race.


In the end both approaches have similar chance of winning championship and I think by having this variety of approaches we have very exiting races and championships.