Hamilton to leave for Mercedes 2013

[beelsebob]

We may still be waiting 100% official confirmation that Lewis is out (despite the many leaks we have seen today) but ESPN says that McLaren HAVE confirmed that Perez is in ...

http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsport ... 90120.html

I'm going to love seeing what he can do against Button, but how are Mclaren going to balance the competing sponsorship interests of Vodafone and TelMex???

TelMex and Vodafone are the same company IIRC

[Richard]

No longer rumour .... unlocked

Note - fanboy posts will be deleted.

[Shrieker]

The eerie similarities with Jacques I hope will remain just that - similarities. I wish him the best. I expect next year to be the toughest for him yet. He had done well with an off the pace car in 2009, no reason why he can't repeat that though. We will see.

[Holm86]

We may still be waiting 100% official confirmation that Lewis is out (despite the many leaks we have seen today) but ESPN says that McLaren HAVE confirmed that Perez is in ...

http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsport ... 90120.html

I'm going to love seeing what he can do against Button, but how are Mclaren going to balance the competing sponsorship interests of Vodafone and TelMex???

TelMex and Vodafone are the same company IIRC

Isnt Vodafones sponsorship running out at the end of this season?? Ive heard talks about the Coca-Cola Company having interest in taking over the main sponsorship at McLaren. Would fit perfectly with the red color.

[yener]

Wow MGP and McLaren both confirmed Lewis will drive for MGP in 2013. I really didnt expect it.

How about Ross Brawn? Yesterday he told they are still negociating with Michael for 2013?

Sergio Perez is at McLaren. Also confirmed.

[morefirejules08]

I must say I'm disappointed with the news I woke up to this morning! I really did hope that the racing driver in Hamilton would win through but alas it seems money has spoken! I will now be torn on who to support next season! I am a McLaren and Hamilton fan but I can't really say I like button or Mercedes!

[i70q7m7ghw]

Anything from Rosberg on this 'number 1 status' that is being given to Hamilton? Rosberg to leave Merc in 2013?

[turbof1]

Wow, I am astounded... . I was never willing to believe it, but so here it is then...

[zyphro]

How about Ross Brawn? Yesterday he told they are still negociating with Michael for 2013?
.

Wake up, he's the master of BS. He's sold his lies to MGP fans the entire season thus far.

Don't be so surprised .

[Gerhardsa]

Anything from Rosberg on this 'number 1 status' that is being given to Hamilton? Rosberg to leave Merc in 2013?

LOL..Ja...I think Keke is also going to flip his lid if that happends.... =D>

[zyphro]

Lol, the irony of all this is Rosberg turned down McLaren in 2009/2010. But now he's LH's team-mate anyway =D> .

[JimClarkFan]

Well I don't really know what to say.

I think Hamiltons move, and Perez acquisition is perhaps some of the most stupid dealings I have ever seen.

Can't believe Hamilton has moved, it will make or break his career surely, but break it in my view if he cannot drive the team forward, anything other than more WDC's isn't good enough for a driver of his standard. Its hard to justify 'I want to win' with this move. Gobsmacked.

And Perez over DiResta and Hulkenburg? Don't get me wrong, he is a good driver, but his two second positions this year have both come not from great driving but lucky positioning in Malaysia, and a miraculous turn of speed in Monzo. He doesn't, to my mind have the pedegree of either force India driver as proofed by his racing history. I'm gutted because I wanted Hulkenburg to get that spot but I guess consistent hard work with a proven track record of winning in just about everything you turn your hand to doesn't mean crap when you aren't backed by a Mexican billionaire.


Comparisons of respective history.

Hulkenburg - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nico_H%C3%BClkenberg
Perez - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergio_P%C3%A9rez

[zyphro]

Lauda will be joining him there too.

Oh dear, match made in heaven all round!

[vall]

I share the opinion of those who doubted Ham's move. While Fred leaving Macca may be his best career decision, Ham's move to Merc may be his worst.... As somebody already said, I don't expect Merc to put its resources in developing the 2013 car given the big changes from 2014 on....

[bgroovers]

How about Ross Brawn? Yesterday he told they are still negociating with Michael for 2013?
.

Wake up, he's the master of BS. He's sold his lies to MGP fans the entire season thus far.

Don't be so surprised .

And has sold them to Lewis too apparently... Andrew Benson "Although Hamilton's salary at Mercedes will be larger than the one he was offered by McLaren - and he has more opportunity to earn money through personal sponsorships and endorsements - sources close to the Englishman insist he has switched teams with a view to long-term performance."
(Is that source Simon Fuller....?)

Does Lewis really believe that McL will not be one of the top teams in f1 till the end of his career. I am shocked and disappointed by this news. I wish him all the best at Jaques Villenueve old team (look what happened to him) but no longer see Lewis as a potential three time world champion i did just yesterday. Although as a huge fan i really hope to be proved wrong.
Great signing by M Wit to snatch Sergio from Ferrari (as I was the first to suggest in this thread). I cant wait to see Perez battling for the championship with Vettel and Alonso next year whilst Massa dishes out more lame excuses.

This is also bad news for Hulk and Di Rista who now have no obvious future path into a top team in the foreseeable future in Massa is resigned.
Still hoping the Luca takes a chance on Heiki, Sutil or one of the FI boys as none could do worse than Felipe surely.