Hamilton 2017

Kev627 · Post by **Kev627** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:08 pm

Lewis Hamilton has been complaining about his bad luck particularly with his engine, openly asking why it is only his Mercedes engine that has been having troubles. Where do people think he'll be next year, still at Mercedes or moving to another team?
Your thoughts on this please...

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:15 pm

There is absolutely nothing to suggest he'll be leaving Mercedes and at this point in time it would look mental to do so

Garry1603 · Post by **Garry1603** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:24 pm

Surely there's no way he would cut off his nose to spite his face by going elsewhere

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:28 pm

Force India looks more reliable. It has a Mercedes engine as well.

GingerFurball · Post by **GingerFurball** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:38 pm

lol this is a ridiculous topic.

If he does cut his nose off to spite his face, where's he going? Renault?

davidheath461 · Post by **davidheath461** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 6:17 pm

GingerFurball wrote:lol this is a ridiculous topic.

If he does cut his nose off to spite his face, where's he going? Renault?

Mclaren.

Alonso goes to Mercedes. Mclaren-Honda becomes the best package in 2017. Mercedes fall back.

GingerFurball · Post by **GingerFurball** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 6:21 pm

davidheath461 wrote:
GingerFurball wrote:lol this is a ridiculous topic.

If he does cut his nose off to spite his face, where's he going? Renault?
Mclaren.

Alonso goes to Mercedes. Mclaren-Honda becomes the best package in 2017. Mercedes fall back.

lol sounds about right.

ALESI · Post by **ALESI** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 6:26 pm

He should definitely consider a swap with Max or Danny Ric.

lucifers · Post by **lucifers** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 6:54 pm

he aint going nowhere for now

Kev627 · Post by **Kev627** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:49 pm

mcdo wrote:There is absolutely nothing to suggest he'll be leaving Mercedes and at this point in time it would look mental to do so

This is only the latest in a string of mechanical problems that have beset Hamilton's attempts to retain his title this year.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "Someone doesn't want me to win this year.

"My question is to Mercedes. We have so many engines made for drives, but mine are the only ones failing this year.

We are fighting for the championship and only my engines are failing. It does not sit right with me.

Copied from The Mirror

jrwb6e · Post by **jrwb6e** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:53 pm

GingerFurball wrote:
davidheath461 wrote:
GingerFurball wrote:lol this is a ridiculous topic.

If he does cut his nose off to spite his face, where's he going? Renault?
Mclaren.

Alonso goes to Mercedes. Mclaren-Honda becomes the best package in 2017. Mercedes fall back.
lol sounds about right.

By all means McLaren should want the switch.

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:09 pm

Kev627 wrote:
mcdo wrote:There is absolutely nothing to suggest he'll be leaving Mercedes and at this point in time it would look mental to do so
This is only the latest in a string of mechanical problems that have beset Hamilton's attempts to retain his title this year.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "Someone doesn't want me to win this year.

"My question is to Mercedes. We have so many engines made for drives, but mine are the only ones failing this year.

We are fighting for the championship and only my engines are failing. It does not sit right with me.

Copied from The Mirror

Doesn't mean he wants to leave one of the most successful teams of all time while they're still at the peak of their powers

Exediron · Post by **Exediron** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:05 pm

mcdo wrote:Doesn't mean he wants to leave one of the most successful teams of all time while they're still at the peak of their powers

I don't know, he did it before - Hamilton's whole reason for leaving McLaren was supposedly because they kept letting him down mechanically, and they were (and still are) a more successful team historically.

That said, it would probably be a bad idea. But the odds pointed towards it being a bad idea last time as well, and we all know how that turned out. Merc's time of dominance is almost certainly over in 2017, so if he can correctly predict the next dominant team by all means he should go join it!

stevey · Post by **stevey** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 11:40 am

Would merc want to let him go, a proven racer, when they don't have the car advantage. I know if I was a team boss I wouldn't and I certainly would not expect Nico to deliver as often if performance gap was neutralized.

fieldstvl · Post by **fieldstvl** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 11:43 am

Watch any of Hamilton's post-Malaysia video interviews, or read any of his post-Malaysia print interviews, and the idea of Hamilton wanting to leave Mercedes becomes totally absurd.

The only ones shouting conspiracy are the media and fans with bees in their bonnets.

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 11:55 am

Exediron wrote:
mcdo wrote:Doesn't mean he wants to leave one of the most successful teams of all time while they're still at the peak of their powers
I don't know, he did it before - Hamilton's whole reason for leaving McLaren was supposedly because they kept letting him down mechanically, and they were (and still are) a more successful team historically.

That said, it would probably be a bad idea. But the odds pointed towards it being a bad idea last time as well, and we all know how that turned out. Merc's time of dominance is almost certainly over in 2017, so if he can correctly predict the next dominant team by all means he should go join it!

I don't think 2012 was McLaren at the peak of their powers. They just about had the fastest car but were an operational mess

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 12:57 pm

Kev627 wrote:Lewis Hamilton has been complaining about his bad luck particularly with his engine, openly asking why it is only his Mercedes engine that has been having troubles. Where do people think he'll be next year, still at Mercedes or moving to another team?
Your thoughts on this please...

He his contracted to Mercedes for the next 2 seasons, 2018 being his last, after that I wouldn't be surprised if he has looking to sign with them for another 3 years.

Jezza13 · Post by **Jezza13** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 1:03 pm

pokerman wrote:
Kev627 wrote:Lewis Hamilton has been complaining about his bad luck particularly with his engine, openly asking why it is only his Mercedes engine that has been having troubles. Where do people think he'll be next year, still at Mercedes or moving to another team?
Your thoughts on this please...
He his contracted to Mercedes for the next 2 seasons, 2018 being his last, after that I wouldn't be surprised if he has looking to sign with them for another 3 years.

Or retire?

He'll be 33 in 2018 and possibly a 5 time (or maybe 6 if Rosberg can't hold it together for the rest of the year) and hasn't he said he is looking at other projects outside of F1?

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 1:04 pm

Exediron wrote:
mcdo wrote:Doesn't mean he wants to leave one of the most successful teams of all time while they're still at the peak of their powers
I don't know, he did it before - Hamilton's whole reason for leaving McLaren was supposedly because they kept letting him down mechanically, and they were (and still are) a more successful team historically.

That said, it would probably be a bad idea. But the odds pointed towards it being a bad idea last time as well, and we all know how that turned out. Merc's time of dominance is almost certainly over in 2017, so if he can correctly predict the next dominant team by all means he should go join it!

But still he was able to leave McLaren because he was out of contract.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 1:06 pm

Jezza13 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
Kev627 wrote:Lewis Hamilton has been complaining about his bad luck particularly with his engine, openly asking why it is only his Mercedes engine that has been having troubles. Where do people think he'll be next year, still at Mercedes or moving to another team?
Your thoughts on this please...
He his contracted to Mercedes for the next 2 seasons, 2018 being his last, after that I wouldn't be surprised if he has looking to sign with them for another 3 years.
Or retire?

He'll be 33 in 2018 and possibly a 5 time (or maybe 6 if Rosberg can't hold it together for the rest of the year) and hasn't he said he is looking at other projects outside of F1?

Yes when he finally retires but 33 is too young, he has stated before that he wants to carry on.

GingerFurball · Post by **GingerFurball** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:26 pm

Exediron wrote:
mcdo wrote:Doesn't mean he wants to leave one of the most successful teams of all time while they're still at the peak of their powers
I don't know, he did it before - Hamilton's whole reason for leaving McLaren was supposedly because they kept letting him down mechanically, and they were (and still are) a more successful team historically.

That said, it would probably be a bad idea. But the odds pointed towards it being a bad idea last time as well, and we all know how that turned out. Merc's time of dominance is almost certainly over in 2017, so if he can correctly predict the next dominant team by all means he should go join it!

He left McLaren because by 2012 it became clear to him that McLaren could give him a car to win races but he wouldn't win titles with them. Same reason Alonso left Ferrari, ironically for McLaren.

Andy2402 · Post by **Andy2402** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 6:43 pm

I'd love to see him go ferrari or red bull but it doesn't look likely . I think he will even stay Merc if they are 2nd/3rd best car as long as not that far back. If that's the case anyway a lot comes down to the driver market at the time

slide · Post by **slide** » Thu Oct 06, 2016 8:13 pm

only an idiot would leave merc

Multi69 · Post by **Multi69** » Thu Oct 06, 2016 9:58 pm

Far out he isn't going anywhere and the biggest thing to come out from incident is that it's truly amazing to see how one man's comments can be taken to heart by so many fans.

MistaVega23 · Post by **MistaVega23** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 12:03 pm

With the 2017 cars apparently being 'beasts', Hamilton should be in his element next year. He'll be at Merc.

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 1:57 pm

He'll be in Merc for 2017. Pretty much guaranteed.

I think I want to see him in Ferrari in a couple of years. Should they be able to get their act together.

Mercedes-Benz · Post by **Mercedes-Benz** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:24 am

davidheath461 wrote:
GingerFurball wrote:lol this is a ridiculous topic.

If he does cut his nose off to spite his face, where's he going? Renault?
Mclaren.

Alonso goes to Mercedes. Mclaren-Honda becomes the best package in 2017. Mercedes fall back.

lol. Another theory is that he will swap with Vettel and go to Ferrari instead in 2018

MasterRacer · Post by **MasterRacer** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 7:32 pm

I really think Mercedes should cut him loose. Nico is on the same level now and Mercedes needs to start bringing through a younger driver.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:29 pm

MasterRacer wrote:I really think Mercedes should cut him loose. Nico is on the same level now and Mercedes needs to start bringing through a younger driver.

So all it takes is mulitiple engine failures for Hamilton then Rosberg is on the same level as him, I'm not sure that Rosberg will be able to ride that particular horse forever?

Sure you might think that in a dominant car that Hamilton is expendable but things can change quite suddenly in F1 when you have big regulation changes, a Mercedes fan that is comfortable with Rosberg leading the team without a dominant car?

Anyway Hamilton still has 2 years left on his contract and I think you are whistling dixie in your hopes of him being sacked.

Asphalt_World · Post by **Asphalt_World** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:45 pm

pokerman wrote:
MasterRacer wrote:I really think Mercedes should cut him loose. Nico is on the same level now and Mercedes needs to start bringing through a younger driver.
So all it takes is mulitiple engine failures for Hamilton then Rosberg is on the same level as him, I'm not sure that Rosberg will be able to ride that particular horse forever?

Sure you might think that in a dominant car that Hamilton is expendable but things can change quite suddenly in F1 when you have big regulation changes, a Mercedes fan that is comfortable with Rosberg leading the team without a dominant car?

Anyway Hamilton still has 2 years left on his contract and I think you are whistling dixie in your hopes of him being sacked.

I think he just reeled you in!

MasterRacer · Post by **MasterRacer** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:55 pm

pokerman wrote: So all it takes is mulitiple engine failures for Hamilton then Rosberg is on the same level as him, I'm not sure that Rosberg will be able to ride that particular horse forever?

Sure you might think that in a dominant car that Hamilton is expendable but things can change quite suddenly in F1 when you have big regulation changes, a Mercedes fan that is comfortable with Rosberg leading the team without a dominant car?

Anyway Hamilton still has 2 years left on his contract and I think you are whistling dixie in your hopes of him being sacked.

Be fair please! Yes Hamilton has had more bad luck this year, but it is not the only reason why Nico is winning this championship. Every weekend they are incredibly closely matched in qualifying, and both very evenly matched on race pace - so much so that whoever leads out of the first corner wins. They are generally racing at the same level.

I agree Mercedes is unlikely to sack him, unless he breaches something in his contract that avoids a huge compensation bill. I'm more thinking along the lines of mutual consent. If Hamilton really believes Mercedes are purposefully feeding his car bad engines for example, maybe both sides will agree to end the contract?

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 12:09 am

MasterRacer wrote:
pokerman wrote: So all it takes is mulitiple engine failures for Hamilton then Rosberg is on the same level as him, I'm not sure that Rosberg will be able to ride that particular horse forever?

Sure you might think that in a dominant car that Hamilton is expendable but things can change quite suddenly in F1 when you have big regulation changes, a Mercedes fan that is comfortable with Rosberg leading the team without a dominant car?

Anyway Hamilton still has 2 years left on his contract and I think you are whistling dixie in your hopes of him being sacked.
Be fair please! Yes Hamilton has had more bad luck this year, but it is not the only reason why Nico is winning this championship. Every weekend they are incredibly closely matched in qualifying, and both very evenly matched on race pace - so much so that whoever leads out of the first corner wins. They are generally racing at the same level.

I agree Mercedes is unlikely to sack him, unless he breaches something in his contract that avoids a huge compensation bill. I'm more thinking along the lines of mutual consent. If Hamilton really believes Mercedes are purposefully feeding his car bad engines for example, maybe both sides will agree to end the contract?

It is the main reason why Rosberg is leading the title race but that is motorsport were you are just as reliant on your machinery as yourself.

Hamilton has stated within the last few days how happy he is at Mercedes, any disillusionment is still being fanned by sections of the press which apparently Hamilton has got tired of talking to, and wished upon by some fans who want to see Hamilton in a worse car.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 12:11 am

Asphalt_World wrote:
pokerman wrote:
MasterRacer wrote:I really think Mercedes should cut him loose. Nico is on the same level now and Mercedes needs to start bringing through a younger driver.
So all it takes is mulitiple engine failures for Hamilton then Rosberg is on the same level as him, I'm not sure that Rosberg will be able to ride that particular horse forever?

Sure you might think that in a dominant car that Hamilton is expendable but things can change quite suddenly in F1 when you have big regulation changes, a Mercedes fan that is comfortable with Rosberg leading the team without a dominant car?

Anyway Hamilton still has 2 years left on his contract and I think you are whistling dixie in your hopes of him being sacked.
I think he just reeled you in!

I wasn't aware of his posting history.

MasterRacer · Post by **MasterRacer** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 1:10 am

pokerman wrote: It is the main reason why Rosberg is leading the title race but that is motorsport were you are just as reliant on your machinery as yourself.

Hamilton has stated within the last few days how happy he is at Mercedes, any disillusionment is still being fanned by sections of the press which apparently Hamilton has got tired of talking to, and wished upon by some fans who want to see Hamilton in a worse car.

Hamilton did start it though with his silly (albeit somewhat understandable) outburst. He probably regrets it now and maybe he is happy where he is. He isn't really showing much sign of happiness in Japan though.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 10:54 pm

MasterRacer wrote:
pokerman wrote: It is the main reason why Rosberg is leading the title race but that is motorsport were you are just as reliant on your machinery as yourself.

Hamilton has stated within the last few days how happy he is at Mercedes, any disillusionment is still being fanned by sections of the press which apparently Hamilton has got tired of talking to, and wished upon by some fans who want to see Hamilton in a worse car.
Hamilton did start it though with his silly (albeit somewhat understandable) outburst. He probably regrets it now and maybe he is happy where he is. He isn't really showing much sign of happiness in Japan though.

Yes he started it but later was at pains to state how happy he is at Mercedes but the journalists just don't want to let it go because it's such a good story line.

Any unhappiness is because he can see the title slipping away.

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 8:58 am

pokerman wrote:
MasterRacer wrote:
pokerman wrote: It is the main reason why Rosberg is leading the title race but that is motorsport were you are just as reliant on your machinery as yourself.

Hamilton has stated within the last few days how happy he is at Mercedes, any disillusionment is still being fanned by sections of the press which apparently Hamilton has got tired of talking to, and wished upon by some fans who want to see Hamilton in a worse car.
Hamilton did start it though with his silly (albeit somewhat understandable) outburst. He probably regrets it now and maybe he is happy where he is. He isn't really showing much sign of happiness in Japan though.
Yes he started it but later was at pains to state how happy he is at Mercedes but the journalists just don't want to let it go because it's such a good story line.

Any unhappiness is because he can see the title slipping away.

I also noticed that the very first thing he jumped to on the podium was to thank Mercedes, the guys, the team, the car, etc. etc. before ever discussing his race

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 9:19 am

pokerman wrote:
MasterRacer wrote:
pokerman wrote: It is the main reason why Rosberg is leading the title race but that is motorsport were you are just as reliant on your machinery as yourself.

Hamilton has stated within the last few days how happy he is at Mercedes, any disillusionment is still being fanned by sections of the press which apparently Hamilton has got tired of talking to, and wished upon by some fans who want to see Hamilton in a worse car.
Hamilton did start it though with his silly (albeit somewhat understandable) outburst. He probably regrets it now and maybe he is happy where he is. He isn't really showing much sign of happiness in Japan though.
Yes he started it but later was at pains to state how happy he is at Mercedes but the journalists just don't want to let it go because it's such a good story line.

Any unhappiness is because he can see the title slipping away.

They do it with everyone, though. Look at the Vettel storyline and how MA's comments now apparently mean the end of Vettel at Ferrari. Brundle's even saying it's a sign Vettel may soon be leaving F1.

The outburst is emotional and more likely to reflect current state of mind, although I fully agree it's dangerous to read too much into it. The PR statement is just that: PR, and I don't think anyone may take that as anything else.

Now I'm not saying that Lewis wants to leave Mercedes, as I doubt that very much. But equally PR statements can never really be taken at face value, not matter who says it.

ALESI · Post by **ALESI** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 9:41 am

To the people suggesting Lewis could leave Merc, where is he going to go? He tried to get in Red Bull before and they didn't want him. I can't see them wanting him now either with Dan R and Max V already there. Ferrari is a sinking ship, Hulk's apparently off to Renault so maybe Force India could give him a seat?

Does make you wonder why dominant teams pay their drivers so much money, doesn't it?

rivf1 · Post by **rivf1** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 10:08 am

Why on earth would he want to leave Mercedes? They are still going to have the best PU next season, they have obviously nailed the aero and chassis setup with the current rules. I see no reason they won't produce a beast of a car next season either.

Randine · Post by **Randine** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 12:29 pm

Mercedes-Benz wrote:
davidheath461 wrote:
GingerFurball wrote:lol this is a ridiculous topic.

If he does cut his nose off to spite his face, where's he going? Renault?
Mclaren.

Alonso goes to Mercedes. Mclaren-Honda becomes the best package in 2017. Mercedes fall back.
lol. Another theory is that he will swap with Vettel and go to Ferrari instead in 2018

I think he would more likely go back to McLaren if they have a good turn around next year.
Red Bull are all about the young driver program, and Ferrari sacked Kimi back in 2008, Alonso in 2014 and who knows maybe Vettel next year.