It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

[Ian]

Just heard on the news that Lewis Hamilton could be on the verge of moving from McLaren to Mercedes for next year, replacing Michael Schumacher...

How does that makes sense?!

But I guess we were all saying the same thing when Jenson Button revealed he was ditching Brawn (which became Mercedes the following year) for McLaren at the end of 2009.

Interesting times!

Ian

[peter]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

Just heard on the news that Lewis Hamilton could be on the verge of moving from McLaren to Mercedes for next year, replacing Michael Schumacher...

How does that makes sense?!

But I guess we were all saying the same thing when Jenson Button revealed he was ditching Brawn (which became Mercedes the following year) for McLaren at the end of 2009.

Interesting times!

Ian

Schumacher says he is going no where ?? not sure what is going on there I did read the other day that lewis could be on his way to Lotus which could work. The other story is that he may just move if Schumacher does go to Mercedes but it could only be for a year as he wants the seat at Red bull which could well be up for grabs in 2014 when Mark is no longer there

It seems strange that he has not yet re-signed which was said he would do over the summer break. Also what about these tweets that came about over the weekend ?? That did not look good.

[Ian]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

Hehe - do you mean re-signed or resigned?

In all seriousness I can understand his frustration. McLaren hasn't really given him a really dominant car since 2008. He really wants a 2009 Brawn or a 2010/11 Red Bull. Each year McLaren eventually get a winning car but only after a lot of catching up. But I'm not sure Mercedes have that winning knack either - I think the double DRS system they have has been a big red herring, for example. But the suggestion that Lewis would fit into the big Mercedes global brand well could be correct. But in the end Lewis just wants to win.

Ian

[peter]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

The red bull was the car to be for the last two seasons we all know that. Ferrari always seem to be playing catch up as well . Alonso was dragging that car around at the start of the season but now seems to have got to grips with it. The same thing has been going on with Lewis and McLaren.I must sat this season has been really good so far and its still wide open lets hope it goes down to the wire this year

Not sure where Lewis should go maybe ride it out where he is for now. Off topic and I do not like to say it as I have always like the guy but the writing is really on the wall for Massa it seems

[peter]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

have you seen this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19493510

[Ian]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

Yes - Alex Zanardi's triumph at the Paralympics today - his best ever result at Brands Hatch Great human story.

Ian

[Ian]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

Not many of the F1 sites are carrying this story - bit of a BBC/Eddie Jordan exclusive!

Ian

[JSR]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

I caught this news earlier. I'm quite excited about it because I'd like to see Lewis getting to grips with another team's car. I think he might just be what Mercedes need to go up one more notch.

At the same time, I think McLaren are doing their chances more harm than good by splitting themselves between two equal drivers all the time. If they replace Lewis with up-and-coming talent like Di Resta and make it clear that he's the "number 2 driver" for the first year or two, then they could concentrate on designing a car that best suits Button - and we know how good he is when he has a car like that.

Wouldn't it be good if Ferrari got Schumacher into Massa's car next year, just for his final year in the sport before Ferrari grab Vettel (if that's what they're doing)? It won't happen, of course, but it's a nice thought. Judging by what Bernie let slip, Schumacher's not racing next year.

I just hope that they have time to quiz EJ about this "insight" in this weekend's "highlights" show.

[Ian]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

Some interesting thoughts there

McLaren and Lewis' management have sort of denied the rumour while Mercedes have declined to confirm or deny. I have to think there is some truth in what is being said but nothing has probably been signed and it could all be down to bargaining.

I just hope Jenson can bag the Italian GP - he has so nearly won there several times before and it's definitely a classic race to add to your collection!

I have been a big defender of Lewis but his Tweeting last weekend was very disappointing. It won't endear him to the McLaren pit crew.

Ian

[Ian]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

Well! Lewis is not denying the rumours... he says things are still up in the air. Interesting!

Ian

[Ian]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

Well, well - Eddie Jordan was right Lewis goes to Mercedes next year and Michael Schumacher is out, probably to retire again as there are no top-tier teams he can realistically go to unless he returns to Ferrari and replaces Massa (now that would be interesting!). Meanwhile, Mexican Sergio Perez, currently at Sauber, replaces Hamilton at McLaren.

Lewis going to Mercedes is a big risk, in my view much bigger than Button leaving championship-winning Brawn to go to Team Lewis McLaren in 2010. Mercedes, frankly, has been a huge disappointment since they acquired Brawn. So there is a big question mark over whether they can give Lewis a winning car. Nico Rosberg could also give Lewis a fair old fight too. Lewis is supreme in qualifying and given the right car he can dominate races. But look at his record against Jenson Button - just one more win over two and three quarter seasons than Jenson and a small number of points advantage.

I read that 2013 may be another transitional year for Mercedes with their main focus in 2014 and the introduction of turbo engines. So Lewis may need all the patience he can muster.

Ian

[devilgas]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

good move for sergio and questionable for lewis. i guess he's looking towards 2014 with the new regs that come into force. the mercedes has been sort of there, but needing that extra 3% that just hasn't been forthcoming. my gut tells me it's the wrong move for lewis, but then i'm not privvy to all the information behind the decision. there was a very big shift with ham once he swapped 'his people' (management) which is possibly a factor in this. i honestly expected him to do a jim clark and spend all his f1 career with the one team.

[devilgas]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

it will be interesting to see what lewis CAN do with the mercedes though. we know he can wring the neck of any car and get more out of it, as does nando & finger boy, and i can't see nico being much of a threat.

it's been reported that peter sauber has said he'd be more than happy to have shumi driving for him next season, so it might only be a 3 way shuffle.

[Ian]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

I can't see the shoe-maker go to Sauber. But Ferrari - replace Massa? That would be tasty versus Alonso and I think the Tifosi would love to see him back there. I can see Alonso approving as he probably thinks Michael is no threat

Ian

[JSR]

Re: It's been a while since we had some F1 gossip here

I think Lewis has been a bit restless at McLaren since Ron Dennis "left". He has been there all of his life almost, so I think he's been itching for something new for awhile. I don't think he likes the "Whitmarsh Way" of not being the clear "number 1" driver.

I'm not convinced that this is the best move for him, unless Mercedes have some magical "double diffuser" type thing up their sleeve. When Honda disappeared, it seemed strange that Button would stick to his guns without a seat but it proved to be the right decision for him.

Many thought that Button's move to McLaren would be a mistake, believing that Lewis would overshadow him but almost the reverse has happened. Button has proven himself, in terms of points, to be the equal of Lewis. He beat him triumphantly last year and he's not far behind him this year. Button has made many questionable decisions throughout his career, but he's shown that he has his head screwed on right now. He took a pay cut to stick with Brawn, and joined McLaren significantly cheaper than Lewis. Yet he did so each time to get into a faster car, be in a better position, and win.

By contrast, it almost looks like Lewis is just chasing the money and image. Certainly the Mercedes car hasn't proven itself since they came back into the sport. It's kind of like Lewis is moving to "the best of the rest" after seeing that there's no seat at either Ferrari, Red Bull, or Lotus (Renault). Maybe Mercedes do have something in the pipeline, but so will the four big teams. It doesn't seem like Lewis is going to a better car, just that he's going to someone who'll pay more. Maybe he feels that his reputation isn't going anywhere, having not won the championship since 2008 (and some might claim that he only stole the championship from Massa thanks to Timo Glock), and that this move is the best way to make money and publicity while people still remember him.

If a decent car really was on the horizon for Mercedes, I don't think that they'd be so keen to drop Schumacher. I'd love to see Schumacher sit in for Massa for 2013. Much as I have liked Massa in the past, he's been completely in the shadow of Alonso and he really is just occupying a car rather than challenging for points. Ferrari need a good driver in that second seat if they're serious about the constructors points next year.

I think Lewis might find that he has his hands full with Nico Rosberg because I don't honestly see Rosberg willing to play second fiddle to Lewis. He'll probably "do a Kimi" and work quietly to beat him. Everyone thought that Schumacher would trounce Rosberg but Nico has beaten Schumacher in all three years (by twice the points in two of those years).

Perez has won himself a nice little coup by partnering up with Button. No doubt he'll impress while in that car, and will end up ready for when Ferrari want him. Or he'll not impress at all, in which case Ferrari will have been proven right. Either way, he'll make for a good second driver to Button. I do have doubts about McLaren's motives for signing Perez. It may have less to do with Perez's talent and more to do with the sponsorship he'll bring with him. It does seem at least coincidental that we hear about McLaren losing Vodafone sponsorship and they sign a driver that'll bring Telmex, South America's major telephone communications company, with him as sponsor.

Whatever we think, this will be a good shake-up for next year. I for one am very excited to see Lewis drive in a car that's outside of his comfort zone, and also to see what Button will do now that McLaren will be able to focus 100% on his car. And if Michael does end up in the second Ferrari for the year, that'll be icing on the cake.