Hamilton to leave for Mercedes 2013

[bhall]

As I said, I think starting at a top team robbed Hamilton of humility. His ability is not, and has never been, in doubt, only the way he uses it.

And contrary to popular belief, Alonso has not overcome a deficient car this year. He's just seemingly mastered a quick, but difficult one. If the pace wasn't there for him to access, naturally, he couldn't access it, and he wouldn't be leading the championship right now. (By the way, his status at the top of the field has been immeasurably aided by humility. He knows what his car can and cannot do, so he drives it accordingly. That accounts for much of his consistency. He doesn't beat himself.)

[beelsebob]

As I said, I think starting at a top team robbed Hamilton of humility. His ability is not, and has never been, in doubt, only the way he uses it.

And contrary to popular belief, Alonso has not overcome a deficient car this year. He's just seemingly mastered a quick, but difficult one. If the pace wasn't there for him to access, naturally, he couldn't access it, and he wouldn't be leading the championship right now.

Well, to be fair, Alonso is facing a lot of luck this year, and Hamilton a lot of un-luck. Arguably, Hamilton should be a good 10-20 points clear of Alonso... But it's no good crying over spilt... uhh... wheel nuts, it's the way it is, and we've got a great end of the season coming up. As far as Hamilton to Merc... I don't think he needs to learn any humility as it stands, and I don't think Merc will benefit him, unless they have a big engine advantage in 2014. I'm pretty sure we'll see him at McLaren next year, his management are just searching for more cash than was on offer.

[Shrieker]

Don't confuse an unwillingness to bow in the presence of Lord Hamilton with disdain.

This. Criticism, you're welcome; but why abuse my sincerity with distasteful sarcasm ?

He started at a top team and was given treatment within the team equal to that given to the two-time defending world champion. That's a platinum spoon

Wrong with a BIG W. He started out as a rookie, he was treated like a rookie; okay, treated a bit like a special rookie but a rookie nevertheless, and he quickly started matching and beating his 2 time WDC team mate. That's when he got all the recognition he deserved. Yes, it may have robbed him of humility, but saying he was treated like a king imediately when he joined thus attempting to label him like a spoilt brat is just...

[bhall]

This is where we diverge. I simply cannot look at a driver who both started his career in a car that according to points earned on-track was the class of the field and who was never, I repeat never, made to cede anything to his two-time world champ teammate as having received anything other than an incredibly advantageous beginning to his career. The only thing that would have made it better would have been McLaren forcing Alonso to support him. There's no reason not to acknowledge this. It is what it is.

[astracrazy]

He started at a top team and was given treatment within the team equal to that given to the two-time defending world champion. That's a platinum spoon

he started in a top team because Mclaren saw something special in him at an early age, for me that's every other teams loss. More praise for him.

He came in as a rookie and matched a two time world champion to the points and wins - equal status was well deserved.

[beelsebob]

This is where we diverge. I simply cannot look at a driver who both started his career in a car that according to points earned on-track was the class of the field and who was never, I repeat never, made to cede anything to his two-time world champ teammate as having received anything other than an incredibly advantageous beginning to his career. The only thing that would have made it better would have been McLaren forcing Alonso to support him. There's no reason not to acknowledge this. It is what it is.

I don't understand why everyone gets upity about this. McLaren has never (and I really mean never) done team orders. Why would they suddenly start in 2007? Why would everyone expect them to start then, any more than they would expect them to start in 2012? Especially when they get a driver who manages to level a two time world champion... Why on earth would you go "---, this guy clearly is not as good as the guy he's equalling on points, we'd better make him play second fiddle."?

[Shrieker]

This is where we diverge. I simply cannot look at a driver who both started his career in a car that according to points earned on-track was the class of the field and who was never, I repeat never, made to cede anything to his two-time world champ teammate as having received anything other than an incredibly advantageous beginning to his career. The only thing that would have made it better would have been McLaren forcing Alonso to support him. There's no reason not to acknowledge this. It is what it is.

I feel like I have digressed too much and littered this topic (Ying-yang thread here I coooooome ). But I will say this as an answer: He handed his two time champion team mate his a$$ in the very first corner he took as an F1 racer, and the team went ahead and reversed their positions in the pit stops, believing Alonso would need every point come season's end. Then in Monaco, the team asked him to(they were right) stop pushing Alonso for P1. Hamilton obeyed but also made his distaste for the order known; it was a sign as to what would happen if he was ordered to support Alonso again. The rest is history. If he wasn't made to cede points to Alonso at the season's start (of which you make no mention) he was going to win it anyway instead of Raikkonen. If only the team knew at the start.

@beelsebob,

They did mate now come on. They ordered Coulthard to cede position to Hakkinen ftw twice ( '97 Jerez and the following race, '98 Oz). Hakkinen was the clear no 1 both times he won the title, plus in 2000 too. Alonso was supposed to be the new Hakkinen. Only, he needed De la Rosa as his Coulthard, and not Hamilton.

[bhall]

I feel like I have digressed too much and littered this topic.
[...]

It's my fault. I momentarily forgot that objectivity is impossible when discussing Lewis Hamilton (and, to be fair, Sebastian Vettel).

Sorry about that.

[Shrieker]

Objectivity is about truth; the truth is one, it doesn't change, but you have your's; nothing I can do about, neither I should.

[munudeges]

He was given equal treatment and he rose to the challenge. If he was no good he wouldn't have been any threat whatsoever to Alonso.

What doesn't sit well with me regarding Hamilton was the way he went backwards and tried to fall over the winning line for both championships in 2007 and 2008. In 2007 you can let him off slightly because it was his first season but 2008 should never have been as close as it was. I remember Schumacher commenting that if Hamilton hadn't won that championship there would have been a pretty serious question mark over him.

However, it looks as if he is off to pastures new and with a management team who cares not one jot, nor knows anything about, Formula 1 where all they are after are returns.

[internetf1fan]

He is very very good..where once he was the Messiah*, he is now looking fragile next to Vettel and plain erratic next to Fred.

I am calling you out again CMSMJ1, even in private messages you are avoiding the topic and shifting goal posts to suit your agenda.

You can't just make up ignorant statements like these without backing facts. Show us for example how he is looking erratic next to Fred?

Hamilton has been very consistent this year as seen by his 2nd place in WDC even with multiple DNFs. Had his team not --- up the first half of the season where he lost at least 40 points, he would be right there with Alonso. Had his team not --- up Spain, he would have at least one more podium or a high possibility of a race win. You would be plain biased to somehow view these team mistakes as sign of Hamilton being erratic.

I like how you claim in your PM that Hamilton has had less wins this season so he's getting worse. But wait, it's only gone half the season and he's already has 3 wins. Compare that to 2008 where for example he had 4 wins. 2007 where he had 4 wins. 2009 where he had 2 wins. 2010 where he had 3. and 2011 when he had 3.

But somehow in your eyes, he's worse this season because he has won less, even though the figures show otherwise.

Now please put forward your argument along with facts on why Hamilton has been looking erratic next to fred and how this season he's not been driving well.

[sAx]

.....plain erratic next to Fred.

Thought Fred said he is the only one that can win in a less than good car?

http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsport ... 64039.html

[bgroovers]

As a Lewis fan id been hugely disappointed if Lewis switched from McL to Merc for next season. To go from the team with currently the fastest car in f1 at the moment IMO to what is close to being either 4th or 5th (behind sauber) so he can earn more money from personal sponsorship deals and being a bigger brand aligned with a world class brand (merc as apposed to McL) would be bafferling.
If in the hopefully unlikely event that he does jump ship then what should Plan B for McL? One answer in my opinion. Sergio Perez!
Ferrari keep saying hes not ready for them but he is massively talented and would be a formidable enemy for McL in a Ferrari. Maybe he wouldn't or couldn't move because of contract or loyalty but if i were MWit id be on the phone to Monisha in a flash!

On a side point i really hope the rumors of Heikki Kovalainen to Ferrari are true!

[Chuckjr]

If Lewis wants to shut everyone up and close the door of doubt some folks think about him, then he should leave Macca and go to Merc. It's the only way he will be able to set himself apart. As long as he stays at Macca there will forever be doubters. It's just the way the world works. Why not take the challenge? Hell it might invigorate him to make his own mark on a new team!

[godlameroso]

I don't think he's going anywhere, all I think is going on is a bit of bluffing on both sides, because McLaren is very orderly and Hamilton's brand doesn't fit exactly as McLaren would like, which is causing this tension. However, Hamilton is trying to demonstrate that his brand will not detract from his racing, and that he is fully commited. Hamilton is still young, he has ambition, he will make mistakes, despite everyone's best intention, but I see no problem as he is delivering on the race track.

Sometimes we see how much politics are involved in the sport and the effect they can have on the drivers.