214270 wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 20:58
billamend wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 20:44
Mercedes, the car company, must _not_ be happy that one of its most important brand icons is leaving for another car brand.
Strong smell of complacency setting in a la McLaren end days. Reportedly a lifetime brand ambassador gig was sought by HAM during contract negotiations & they balked. He enjoyed working alongside BOT & they jettisoned him, he asked for changes to the chassis they ignored his inputs.
Poor mgmt of talent if you ask me.
A rather short term outlook IMO. Hamilton was leaving/retiring soon enough regardless. Being dragged with a massive long term ambassador deal and not being allowed to find a talented replacement before he leaves, those are not small concessions to make to keep Lewis around for a couple of seasons more. Not even mentioning the huge cost of his contract. The best thing Merc can do for their brand is to build a great car and find success again, they can do that with other drivers too. Russell is a good driver, there will be a host of guys wanting a go in that seat, Alonso included, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a year or two away from being an option. Merc have options, they didn't need bet everything on Hamilton and they didn't.