Saturday 29 September 2012

Hamilton replaces Schumacher at Mercedes in 2013

Mercedes team principal has actively pursued Lewis Hamilton to sign with the team, and today the deal was sealed. The 2008 FIA Formula One world champion will leave McLaren in at the end of this season. His new teammate starting in 2013 will be Nico Rosberg, who remains with the Silver Arrows team.
"It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter," said the Briton in this morning’s announcement.

Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge.

Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton, now 27, joined the McLaren organization when he was 13 years old, and has been a front runner with the British-based team. Now he will take on a new challenge with a three year contract with Mercedes.
Team principal Ross Brawn commented, "I believe that the combination of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the grid next year and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together.”
Hamilton has not had one of his best years, and obvious has been disappointed in the mistakes made by his current team, which cost him podium finishes and more importantly victories. Not all were errors by the team; some were mechanical issues but still he pushed to the limits at each event, and will continue to do so for the remaining races.
Added Hamilton, "Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships."
No word on the exact contract details, but current reports claim the Hamilton took a cut in pay; however the sponsor package is very sweet; along with incentives.
Norbert Haug, Vice President - Mercedes-Benz Motorsport commented, "Mercedes-Benz has supported Lewis throughout his career, from karting, to Formula 3, to our successful partnership with McLaren, and it will be a very nice moment for all of us in the team to see him at the wheel of a works Silver Arrow next season, following in the tradition of British Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix drivers Sir Stirling Moss and Richard Seaman.”
The future for Michael Schumacher was not mentioned. Yesterday, Brawn claimed that "Michael has been a huge asset to the team; he's really taken us forward. I do think Michael contributes an awful lot, so I think the decision for Michael to stay or not continue is a difficult one."
The German who has seven Formula One world championships may end up with Mercedes as a brand ambassador or he may search for another ride. Since his return to the premier motor sports series in 2010, Schumacher has just one podium finish since his return, and that was on the Valencia street circuit this year. Prior to his return, Schumacher won 91 races from 1991 to 2006.
Schumacher apparently in his talks, and Sauber now has a empty cockpit with the departure of Sergio Perez to the McLaren team. The champion said, "I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I will now concentrate on the next races."
"On behalf of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. As always, it has been a pleasure to work with Michael,” said Brawn.

Perez no longer a 'pay driver' - Whitmarsh

Sergio Perez is no longer a "pay driver", McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh insists.
Mexican Perez, also backed by Ferrari, started his F1 career by bringing millions in Carlos Slim-linked Telmex dollars to Sauber.
But he is now moving to McLaren, amid speculation Telmex might eventually replace the grandee British team's title sponsor Vodafone.
The Telegraph, however, quotes Whitmarsh as insisting there are no "side deals" to McLaren's Perez contract.
"I did have a conversation with Carlos Slim yesterday but we have made an offer to Sergio, we are paying him well and there are no side deals," he said.
"I'm not saying that ultimately there won't be other fresh partners coming forward because of it but that wasn't the motivating force," insisted Whitmarsh.
He is quoted by Sky Sports F1 HD channel: "He (Perez) is not a pay driver, he is being paid a lot of money.
"Sponsorship was not a factor, we picked Sergio because he is the most exciting young talent in formula one.
"Do I believe there will be some exciting commercial opportunities in the future? Yes. Have we looked at them yet? No."

Who is the real winner of the recent driver shakeup in Formula One?

The recent shakeups in the status quo of Formula drivers were expected, and yet still a surprise. Lewis Hamilton has expressed his feelings in many ways so his jumping ship makes sense. However, leaving a team he has been connected with for 14 years does make one wonder why the Briton walked away from the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.
Imagine being a team owner / principal and having a brash youngster of 10 walk up to you and claim “one day I want to race your cars!” That is how the story goes on how Hamilton met Ron Dennis. Perhaps the head of McLaren might have thought ‘can you imagine the guts this kid has?’
Podium: race winner Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, second place place Sergio Perez, Sauber F1 Team
Podium: race winner Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, second place place Sergio Perez, Sauber F1 Team
Photo by: xpb.cc
Hamilton left an impression and in 1998, Dennis called him, and signed the young kart champion to the McLaren driver development program. In 2003, Hamilton landed his first single-seater title: Formula Renault 2.0 UK title. In 2005, he became the Formula 3 Euro Series champion, and the earned the Masters of F3 title. The next year, he was the GP2 Series champion. The Briton proved his worth in 2007, finishing second I the FIA Formula One Championship as a rookie! The next year, Hamilton earned his only World Championship. But his glory days were short; even though he was a front runner.
This year has been very difficult as the Briton has had mechanical failures and errors in pit lane that either cost him a race win, a podium finish or even point paying positions. Thus far in 2012, the British racer has notched five poles -- the most of any other Formula One driver. However, he has retired twice, and when in the lead of the grand prix event. Still he has three wins this season.
One can see why Hamilton wanted the change, and perhaps his brashness is one reason Ross Brawn was keen to steal him away from McLaren.
In order to snag Hamilton, Mercedes factory team had to shove the seven times Formula One world champion aside. Yet they were the ones who convinced Michael Schumacher to come out of retirement and lead their Silver Arrows team.
Third placed Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference
Third placed Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference
Photo by: xpb.cc
Truthfully one can understand not resigning the German racer. He has earned just one podium finish since his return in 2010. Placing third in Valencia saw Schumacher smile brightly. Still it seems that Mercedes believes their team is championship contenders, and yes they should be. Neither of their two German drivers, Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, has produced consistent top results. Rosberg did score the pole and the victory in China earlier this year but his best finish since then was second at Monaco.
Is Hamilton making the correct move for his future? Viewing the stats says no; but knowing that he has not been happy at McLaren, it would seem that it is a good move. Perhaps with a new car and a new team will be the best of all worlds for Hamilton.
Schumacher did not retire as many expected. He still might as he has made a fortune over the years and can return to his “castle”. His public appearances will enhance his lifestyle, along with special events. Still he was bitten again by contesting Formula One grand prix events and there are a few possible seats available.
The German still holds records in Formula One, along with the most championships. Yet the recent criticism of his driving style has made more news than the winner of the recent Singapore Grand Prix. His fans are angry with the negative comments of their favorite driver, and now with the Mercedes team. They would be delighted to see Schumacher continue to race.
Peter Sauber’s team is now down to one driver due to the fact that their young hot-shoe from Mexico signed with McLaren. Sergio Perez has shown the skills, and the desire to challenge for podiums, and a potential victory. The current Sauber driver has three podiums to his credit. Next year, he will be racing for one of the top teams!
When one views the changes to the status quo, Perez truly is the winner in the recent changes for the 2013 season, and beyond.