Race of Champions - Lewis Hamilton?

[gridwalker]

I see Heikki Kovalainen raced in RoC 04, 05, 06.....

He would have been signed in 07 to drive for McLaren in 08. He didn't take part in RoC in 07, 08, 09.

His final season with McLaren was 2009, and he returned to the RoC in Nov 2010.

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edited to correct the error noted by Hampus!

No, Heikki definitely competed in 2007 : I was at that one and I saw him wipe out the water-filled barriers by sideswiping them in an Aston Martin.

[HampusA]

yea he was there together with Marcus Grönholm,

[Aced]

I doubt there's a sponsorship/McLaren contract issue that prevents him from taking part in RoC. In 2008/Wembley he actually made an appearance and was supposed to race against someone but the event was cancelled because of rain.

Perhaps he just hasn't been invited or isn't that interested to take part in it.

Button doesn´t have a contract for next year though.

Button actually is under contract for next year. Though it's not up to him, it's up to McLaren to decide whether that contract remains valid for the next year.

I don't see why McLaren should have an issue with their drivers competing in RoC. After all it's good for the sponsors. And safety can't be an issue since it's easier to cause trouble demonstrating an F1 car in the roads of Manchester than to injure yourself in RoC.

[Richard]

- Sorry about the muddled dates, I'll try again.

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I see Heikki Kovalainen raced in RoC 04, 05, 06, 07.....

He would have signed in 07 to drive for McLaren in 08, but they let him compete in RoC 07.

He didn't take part in RoC in 08, 09 when he was an active McLaren driver

His final season with McLaren was 2009, and he returned to the RoC in Nov 2010.

[Richard]

Hamilton made an appearance at the 08 event, albeit not in competition.

The 2008 Race Of Champions event took place at Wembley Stadium, London on 14 December 2008. A special race was due to take place during the event, with Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy cycling against the reigning Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who was to drive a Mercedes road car. However, due to the slippery nature of the track, the race did not occur. Hamilton drove parade laps with Hoy in the Mercedes road car, however, and also demonstrated his championship-winning Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One car at the event

Jensen competed in 09, but he was still contracted to Brawn, he left for McLaren 2 weeks later.

[Aced]

Yes, I'm aware of that. But,

A special race was due to take place during the event, with Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy cycling against the reigning Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who was to drive a Mercedes road car. However, due to the slippery nature of the track, the race did not occur.

he can make appearances so it's not a sponsor issue and if he was allowed to take part in a "special race" then it certainly can't be a safety issue. So what else can it be?

Why would McLaren for no reason not allow their drivers to compete in RoC?

[wesley123]

McLAren are well known to control their drivers as much as posible, in such event they can get hurt, leak unwanted things or other things, all things McLaren does not like.

[HampusA]

Button actually is under contract for next year. Though it's not up to him, it's up to McLaren to decide whether that contract remains valid for the next year.

This, doesn´t make any sense. Button has laid up an offer and is hoping that Mclaren will take it.
Either you have a contract or you don´t. Everything else is offers and speculation.

Button has no contract for 2012.

[ringo]

Yes, I'm aware of that. But,

A special race was due to take place during the event, with Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy cycling against the reigning Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who was to drive a Mercedes road car. However, due to the slippery nature of the track, the race did not occur.

he can make appearances so it's not a sponsor issue and if he was allowed to take part in a "special race" then it certainly can't be a safety issue. So what else can it be?

Why would McLaren for no reason not allow their drivers to compete in RoC?

Appearance is completely different than competing.
He's Mclaren's golden goose. They don't want to take risks with him.
Look what happened to Kubica.

[raymondu999]

McLAren are well known to control their drivers as much as posible, in such event they can get hurt, leak unwanted things or other things, all things McLaren does not like.

Agreed. I remember when they let Montoya play "tennis"

[wesley123]

McLAren are well known to control their drivers as much as posible, in such event they can get hurt, leak unwanted things or other things, all things McLaren does not like.

Agreed. I remember when they let Montoya play "tennis"

And not so long after that they let him play NASCAR for ever

[raymondu999]

Mind you I miss the fellow now

[tinhouse]

Button actually is under contract for next year. Though it's not up to him, it's up to McLaren to decide whether that contract remains valid for the next year.

This, doesn´t make any sense. Button has laid up an offer and is hoping that Mclaren will take it.
Either you have a contract or you don´t. Everything else is offers and speculation.

Button has no contract for 2012.

At the risk of going O/T it's not as simple as that. McLaren has an option on Button for another 2 years. So no they don't have a contract, but Button is not free to sign with any other team until McLaren release him by choosing not to take up their option.

Matt.

[HampusA]

Well that´s another subject. The fact is Button has no contract with Mclaren for 2012.
Whatever clauses he might have that ties him on some ways is irrelevant to what i said.

No contract yet.

[NathanOlder]

Thought id bring this one back.

Has anyone ever heard a reason why he doesn't take part ?