Would Hamilton ever move?

[bazanaius]

So this is just a random thought, not related to anything I've heard, I'm just interested to see your opinions..

If McLaren over the next few years have a dry spell, reliability issues like before for example, do you think if there came an offer, Hamilton would move away from McLaren?

I know he and Dennis have a great relationship but with Dennis standing down at some point in the future, maybe he will have less incentive to stay if the car isn't performing - especially if he hadnt won a championship by then.

Thoughts on who he might go to?

I'm just thinking - Alonso moved away from a team he worked very well with because he felt there was a better car at McLaren. Kimi moved away from McLaren for the better car at Ferrari, and these are only in recent times. I think that the best world champions dont have a great attachment to the team they're with, unless it's the reason they're winning (obviously it is a team sport) - they have the aim of winning the championship and they'll do anything to get there. I wonder if Hamilton is the same.

Thoughts?

Baz

[Scotracer]

Well with the engine freeze it's unlikely engine problems will be a factor for many years. KERS reliability may prove decisive but it depends on the technology used.

Lewis has been with Mclaren on some shape or form for over 10 years so I'm not sure. Anything is possible.

[DaveKillens]

Drivers change teams, it's just a common fact. Name any great, and they would have a history of changing teams. Fangio, Prost, Senna, Schumacher, Hill (both Damon and Graham), Hunt, and so on. The only exception I am aware of is Jimmy Clark, with Lotus.
Who knows who will be the top team in five years. Heck, it may be Toyota.
And if it is, top drivers will try to position themselves to be there. That's how it works.

[Conceptual]

Drivers change teams, it's just a common fact. Name any great, and they would have a history of changing teams. Fangio, Prost, Senna, Schumacher, Hill (both Damon and Graham), Hunt, and so on. The only exception I am aware of is Jimmy Clark, with Lotus.
Who knows who will be the top team in five years. Heck, it may be Toyota.
And if it is, top drivers will try to position themselves to be there. That's how it works.

The consequence of a constructor series in the 21st century. Bottom line is even the best drivers need the best cars to win.

Some get lucky, but those are caused by extenuating circumstances, not only skill.

I don't see Hamilton leaving McLaren. It is almost like Button at Honda.

Chris

[DaveKillens]

I don't see Hamilton leaving McLaren. It is almost like Button at Honda.

But even Button has changed teams three times. Williams, Benetton/Renault, BAR, and Honda.

[Conceptual]

I don't see Hamilton leaving McLaren. It is almost like Button at Honda.

But even Button has changed teams three times. Williams, Benetton/Renault, BAR, and Honda.

I was pointing out the part where he hasn't left even with the lack of performance of his machinery.

I understand that most drivers have changed teams, but Hamilton is a test-tube driver grown by Dennis and McLaren. I don't think there has ever been one of those before.

chris

[icef1mkd]

An exception is Mika. He never left McLaren.

And I can't see any reason for Lewis not to follow his example.
They've "made" him, he's their boy - I remember reading much
about him in McLaren's "Racing Line" years before his F1-debut,
I think he's so well integrated in their system, so...
here are some reasons for F1 to be a "sentimental business"

[nae]

mika stayed the course with mclaren
but other than that yer they do change often and it shows the metal of the driver if they can do the deed in different cars with other teams

[pieter1]

An exception is Mika. He never left McLaren.

And I can't see any reason for Lewis not to follow his example.
They've "made" him, he's their boy - I remember reading much
about him in McLaren's "Racing Line" years before his F1-debut,
I think he's so well integrated in their system, so...
here are some reasons for F1 to be a "sentimental business"

lewis leaving mcl?? I do not think so..there would not be many teams interested in signing this guy...each team today has its own star and so they do not feel a need to have two of them in one team because they remember what it caused the last year when fernando and lewis where together at mcl.

[roost89]

The only way I can imagine Lewis leaving McLaren is if they became a back of the pack team...which I think is highly unlikely. They'll have his driving style dialled into every new chassis they make from now until he isn't in the team.

It is indeed an interesting thought. I think drivers are becoming more attached to their teams. Rosberg at Williams, says he won't leave. Alonso at Renault, he left but came back a year later.
The only new driver I can see moving team is Vettel and even then it's from B to A-team(STR to RBR).

[nae]

perhaps after 5 years or so of silly mistakes that cost macca the title
they will drop him, or if Mercedes bought over macca and found no room
for him, or hell freezes over. he might , but never to the red team
he has 2 much of ron in him to go there

cant see him dropping to a 'B' team either, far to arrogant for that

ask again in 10 years