Tbh this is the only correct option for Mercedes, and Toto knows it.
I’ve read a few people saying similar but I don’t think that’s right. Isn’t Ham in a 2yr (or 1+1 whatever) that has only just started weeks ago? A release clause that expires a few weeks into a 2 year deal, before the car has even been driven, isn’t really a release clause at all.
I think its obvious esp. after that grim seat fitting picture that was released (if that was indeed the W15)...he has been asking for very specific changes to be the made with the car (esp. around driver position) and looks like they did not give him what he wanted. He's probably tired of the the designers not listening to him and decided to leave. Probably aided by the multiple occasions last year that he complained that the team did not support him on the podium etc...chrisc90 wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 21:26I wonder what Lewis' release clause was in his contract he used.
It all doesnt add up at this moment, the season hasnt even started. Can it have been something about the cars performance? Given he has only had a couple days in the simulator?
I think something is developing deeper within the team tbh.
Seems reasonable to me what you say, but surely there must be a reason that it was announced that early, so what else could it be?Wil992 wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 23:58I’ve read a few people saying similar but I don’t think that’s right. Isn’t Ham in a 2yr (or 1+1 whatever) that has only just started weeks ago? A release clause that expires a few weeks into a 2 year deal, before the car has even been driven, isn’t really a release clause at all.
Then something has been happening behind the scenes. I can't see Sainz playing hardball. Ferrari simply has more good options than he has.Wil992 wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 23:58
I’ve read a few people saying similar but I don’t think that’s right. Isn’t Ham in a 2yr (or 1+1 whatever) that has only just started weeks ago? A release clause that expires a few weeks into a 2 year deal, before the car has even been driven, isn’t really a release clause at all.
I’d say it’s not any single thing. Ham has said many times he’d like to drive for Ferrari, I’d guess they’ve had quiet chats for many years, most drivers/teams probably do. Perhaps they’ve persuaded him to talk more seriously because if not now, then when? Add in a couple of years of under performing cars, with probably quite a lot of stress at the team as a result, throw in a 1+1 deal when he wanted more, maybe a pinch of sim time recently that made ham think merc haven’t taken a massive leap forward and that was the last straw? Obviously all speculation.
I think that this topic is deeper than we think. I am not talking about Ferrari stock. For me this early news was influenced by F1 (Liberty Media), just yesterday everyone was talking about Andretti and how bad of a decision it was not to include 11th team.
I think it's the other way around actually. The Hamilton news was regular schedule, but FOM put out the Andretti news just before so that it would be overshadowed by the Hamilton news and swiftly forgotten. It has more or less succeeded.wiktor977 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2024, 00:40I think that this topic is deeper than we think. I am not talking about Ferrari stock. For me this early news was influenced by F1 (Liberty Media), just yesterday everyone was talking about Andretti and how bad of a decision it was not to include 11th team.
Today no one wants to talk about that no more.
I think they'll try to wrap it up as soon as possible to maintain stability / reduce media speculation