REPORT: Lewis Hamilton's future with McLaren said to be in doubt
Is Lewis Hamilton really on his way out at McLaren? The Daily Mail think it's a definite possibility. It seems the reigning World Champion still has some issues with his team after the so-called "Liargate" scandal robbed him of his hard-fought third-place finish in the season opener at Melbourne. We explained that scandal in our earlier post about the race, but briefly, Hamilton was allegedly told how to answer post-race questions about a safety-car passing incident by McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan. The team was found guilty of deliberately misleading the race stewards. Ryan was subsequently suspended and Lewis had all of his points taken away after offering an emotional public apology.
Normally, that would be that, but after another disappointing race in Malaysia, it seems Lewis and his manager/father Anthony are asking McLaren for a meeting. Speculation is that Hamilton may be asking for an early release from his contract -- if not immediately, than possibly at the end of the season. The Hamiltons are apparently concerned that the champion's personal reputation has been sullied as a result of the team's recent scandals. Anthony maintains that Lewis was merely following team orders, defying his own moral code in taking Ryan's advice. He adds that contractual obligations prevented Lewis from offering the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth when interviewed by the stewards. The fact that McLaren still faces further sanctions from the incident (including the possible suspension of team boss Martin Whitmarsh) could mean that Hamilton has more leverage in his negotiations.
If Hamilton does get out of his five-year contract, one scenario has him going to Ferrari, who is struggling even more than McLaren this season. We'd wager on Brawn GP making a bid, along with just about every other team as well. Whatever the outcome, we'll keep you posted.
[Sources: The Daily Mail, BBC, The Guardian]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2LS7? 1:36PM (4/07/2009)
Boo hoo! I'm not getting all the attention any more! I'm going to take my ball and go home!
Life isn't all roses, Lewis. You have to take the bad with the good.
I was impressed with Hamilton's performance in GP2. But ever since then, he's just acted like everyone owes him something.
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AC0 1:55PM (4/08/2009)
Exactly... after all McLaren has done for him! He should be happy he's already had a car capable of winning the championship so early in his career.
JayP 2:57PM (4/07/2009)
For all that McLaren and Ron Dennis did for him as a teenager?
Maybe the scandals are catching up?
tankd0g 12:31AM (4/08/2009)
I just get a kick out of his dad at ever race keeping and unblinking eye on his meal ticket. I can't imagine growing up int hat house...
Jsams4131 1:37PM (4/07/2009)
they were talking about him possibly ending his contact when i was watching the Malaysian GP, i couldn't believe it and im definately itching to find out...Lewis Hamilton...for US F1 maybe??
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Tom Winch 5:16PM (4/07/2009)
I don't see Hamilton driving for USF1, they're looking for American drivers. All drama regarding Hamilton's reputation being sullied aside, I see this as a ploy, possibly to leave McLaren to get into a more competitive car. I don't see him going to Brawn unless he agrees to a huge pay cut or brings major sponsorship with him. Button took a 50% pay cut this season to help the team. As for everyone who thinks that F1 drivers are too arrogant, it's that arrogance that enables a top driver to stay on top. That said, some are more arrogant than others. Jenson Button is a great example of this. For years he has soldiered on in uncompetitive cars without badmouthing the team. This year he's showing what he's capable of with the right equipment. Hamilton had no problem driving for McLaren through Stepneygate and all that when McLaren was consistently at the front of the grid. Now that he sees where McLaren stands with the new cars, he and his father probably see this latest scandal as an opportunity to test the waters to see who might be interested in having Lewis drive for them. Realistically, the three fastest teams right now, Brawn, Williams, and Toyota, will have no interest in having Hamilton drive for them this season for various reasons. Brawn won't be able to afford him, Williams won't drop Rosberg and can't drop Nakijima due to the agreement they have with Toyota, and I don't see Toyota dropping Trulli or Glock. Red Bull? I don't see them replacing Vettel or Webber. Renault? Yeah right, team him up with Alonso again. Every other team is floundering worse than McLaren. My bet is he stays right where he is.
mapoftazifosho 1:43PM (4/07/2009)
He has every right to consider leaving the team. They have made a great car, but they have been buried in scandals the entire time he has been with the team. I mean the troubles with the car can be worked out...he did get 4th place at Melbourne...
With your thinking I should stay with my job selling snake oil because I am contractually obliged to do so...despite what my better judgement tells me...
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:54PM (4/07/2009)
If you signed a contract that says you will sell snake oil, then yeah, you should continue to sell snake oil.
Regular people like you and I don't sign employment contracts for this reason among others. But people like Hamilton want to compel their employer to do particular things for them and in return they have to give some concessions too.
mapoftazifosho 2:06PM (4/07/2009)
I just look at the 2007 season where McLaren was stripped of their constructors points due to Stepneygate...he stayed with them through that...I can easily see this as the straw that broke the Camel's back...
why not the LS2LS7? 2:21PM (4/07/2009)
Is Hamilton a constructor now? Stripping McLaren of their constructors points didn't affect him all that much.
And I'm pretty sure he met with some level of success last year despite the poor pit position that a lack of constructor points yields.
Maybe McLaren should sue Hamilton for spinning off track on the pit in road.
mapoftazifosho 3:07PM (4/07/2009)
You aren't terribly savvy on public opinion/perception...
Stepneygate sullied everything, which is the same problem Hamilton is going through right now...
Try looking at everything as a brand. Here are some brands that cannot improve their image no matter what:
Detroit
AIG
Bush
Chrysler
See what I am getting at? Hamilton doesn't want to continue a relationship with a team that is working so hard on destroying their reputation because it brings his reputation down along with their's.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:03PM (4/07/2009)
Are you kidding me? Schumacher was a pr*ck. He blocked the track in order to preserve his pole position ON TV. He threatened to not go to a race in the US after 9/11. In a race with only SIX CARS on the track (due to the tire disaster at Indy), he drove his own teammate off the track coming out of the pits. He drove his own brother off the track in Germany. And he made a mint and did pretty well, public persona-wise.
And you're saying that somehow Hamilton's future is in jeopardy because of some guy at McLaren committing some infractions we didn't even see? The public is more forgiving than that.
You've gone completely out of range.
Farmboy 1:44PM (4/07/2009)
He reminds me of those creepy dolls in the "It's A Small World" ride at Disney.
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ImSteevin 1:43PM (4/07/2009)
I'd love to see him end up at Brawn GP just to watch the carnage that a Button/Hamilton pairing would assuredly produce.
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Jsams4131 1:46PM (4/07/2009)
i wonder if there could be issues if brawn were to pick up hamilton IF he left mclaren as they are the engine supplier for BrawnGP. would that have an affect idk
Nateb123 4:35PM (4/07/2009)
Mercedes is the engine supplier for Brawn GP, not McLaren. At this point, I think Mercedes is just happy a car with their engine is at the front of the pack, even if their official team is doing crappy.
pmiddle5 7:21PM (4/07/2009)
I'd hate it.
bduddy 8:56PM (4/07/2009)
Nateb, Mercedes supplies both McLaren and Brawn (as well as Force India).
Hugh G 1:56PM (4/07/2009)
Is it me, or are all F1 drivers a bunch of arrogant pricks? The only exceptions might be guys like Trulli, Barachello, and Webber. All the others are major snobs. Hell, Speed TV can't even seem to get an interview with Schumacher. They show him walking around pre-race on the grid, but I guess he won't talk to them. Bizarre... I've yet to see an interview with him on Speed since he retired. Gee, you think he might be arrogant?
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Cameron 2:02PM (4/07/2009)
If I was good enough to pilot an F1 car for millions a year I'd probably be a prick too! :-D
In all reality you're right. I think that's something the powers-that-be are working on; making the drivers do more publicity for the sport, not just for their sponsors.
What they don't show on the race broadcasts are the countless autographs and pictures most of the drivers do on Friday practice days and during winter testing.