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The most intensely debated transfer of the finished 2012 season in Formula 1 was the arrival of Lewis Hamilton at the struggling MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. Mostly a money affair rather than a completely new racing opportunity for the former champion, the Briton managed to attract a lot of attention after the official announcement was made. Moreover, his performance in the last two races proved the Silver Arrows execs that the move was strategically successful. But is that enough without a car that is yet capable to suit the aggressive, battling driving style of Lewis?It is obvious that, since 2010 when it entered Formula 1 with its fully-owned team after more than 50 years, Mercedes-Benz failed to accomplish the targets after buying the winning Brawn GP of 2009. Chances were the Germans would exit F1 after the 2012 season, but all of a sudden, the Concorde Agreement, which gave immense headaches for a long period of time during the year, was eventually signed by all the parties involved. Nonetheless, the inconsistency of results and Michael Schumacher's indecision on whether to continue or not meant stringent action is needed.
After seeking the basket for more cash, the Board of Management agreed a bigger cash injection into the team. Despite failing to offer shining prospect at least for the next year, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS somehow managed to convince McLaren's Lewis Hamilton it is better to join them than choose another team or stay at the Woking-based team for another season. To put it straight: they are going to trim all the activity around their new contender, given his appetite for victories and his character of a true fighter. Trust us: the F1 legend Nikki Lauda, the newly-appointed non-executive president of the team, is strongly linked with this sensational transfer as he is convinced Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will form a balanced and powerful duo.
Lewis Hamilton is pretty sure that he will not be able to win any title in 2013, but at least, as he recognizes, there is a solid base to constantly fight for victories or for higher positions. He also admits he could one day return to his first F1 team, but that should not happen before 2016. The plan is now to build a competitive team that could battle at the top in a few years from now.
Although his contract with McLaren expires on the 31st December 2012, Lewis Hamilton was given the permission to takeover his brand new role at MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS beginning with the 1st December. At first, he was permitted to talk with influential managers, but not to participate in any activities which involved sharing technical knowledge. However, Lewis now takes full advantage of his position, as agreed with Martin Whitmarsh and other key members from McLaren, also a strong partner of Mercedes-Benz.
As Hamilton highlights during an interview, the best part of his new job at the Silver Arrows works team, among other tough points, is the reduced number of media activities, which means he will be able to spend more time to prepare himself and the car, together with his engineers, for the races that come next year. This also creates a good perspective for the Brackley-based team, as well, whose engineers are now completely focused on developing some proper F1 W04 cars for the two team mates.
Recently, Norbert Haug stepped down from his executive position at Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, a clear signal that a breath of fresh air is needed in order to achieve better results. Speculators indicate that, for a competent guidance of their motorsporting activites, Mercedes-Benz will likely split the presidency for the division in two: one for Formula 1, one for DTM. Gerhard Berger, former Austrian driver, is in cards to occupy the seat for managing the F1 involvement, although both him and Mercedes-Benz denied any talks for a future cooperation during a recent interview. Michael Schumacher, who raced for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS up to the end of the 2012 season, was also rumored to replace Norbert Haug after his second F1 retirement, but he also declined the possibility.
With all the high investments made in a team that failed to deliver any spectacular performance, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS is in a rather tricky situation at the moment. 2013 is a decisive year for Ross Brawn. If he isn't able to secure a comfortable place in Top 5 at the end of the season, he will surely get axed off as chiefs from Stuttgart are rather angry, inside sources state. The prediction is the team will survive for at least a few years, even though the situation does or does not improve, as the parent company Daimler now owns 100% of it after the investment group Aabar exited the venture. However, chances are Lewis Hamilton will bring a ray of hope - probably, not from the Australian GP in mid March 2013. But, who knows what the future holds?Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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Last week, we brought into your attention the latest rumors regarding Lewis Hamilton's future in Formula 1 beyond 2012 (see HERE). Now, we have found out that the Briton is closer and closer to signing a contract with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS effective from 2013 onwards. Moreover, Michael Schumacher will renew his partnership with the Silver Arrows team for another two years, at least.These reports have surfaced on various German and British publications and are based on statements of trustful inside sources. The reason Lewis Hamilton is now fully focusing on MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS is the fact McLaren have not improved their offer for 2013. By contrary, the annual salary he will get from the Woking-based team will actually be smaller then the current value, in part due to the difficult financial situation of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, also at risk of losing its main title partner.
On the other hand, the involvement of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS in Formula 1 is deeper as months pass, even though results are yet to appear. An important part of the money they gain from this motorsporting comes from activity of supplying V8 engines to McLaren and Force India, which is undeniably a strong point that many do not have. Moreover, the Brackley-based team is the sole F1 entity willing to meet Hamilton's demands and make him an offer he cannot refuse.
There are also some telling Michael Schumacher is also near to signing a contract extension with the team, running out at the end of the 2014 season. After that moment, if the former champion decides to resign, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS will continue the collaboration with Schumacher by offering him an executive role at the team.
In this entire gossip, there is only one weak point. Nico Rosberg's future is at risk, even though a contract for 2013 has already been signed. Most probably, the lack of constance and the last results he achieved could result in him being removed from the main driver lineup and offered a role as test driver inside the team.
Only future will tell if what has been said here is true, but we are confident enough to make a prediction: Michael Schumacher is here to stay for 2013. :)Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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Speculation upon Hamilton's future in F1 rose intensively amid the Italian GP held this weekend at Monza. Latest rumors suggest that the McLaren-Mercedes driver has already reached a principle agreement with the Mercedes-Benz works team for a multi-annual contract starting from the 2013 season.As always, enthusiasm might be tempted to rise unexpectedly, but you have to keep your mind cold and judge responsively. It is pretty early to comment such gossips, as both Michael Schumacher and his current team through the voices of Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug have denied each and every information regarding the continuation or the resignation of the former world champion from the F1 competition beginning with next year. The two parts have resumed to simply declare that a final decision is yet to be made and that nothing will be certain until the end of this season, when an official statement is to be issued to the public.
Returning to the Briton, it is well known his relationship with the Woking-based team is very tensed at the moment. The situation only got worse when Lewis revealed some secret technical agreements and strategies from inside on his Twitter account last week, during the Belgian Grand Prix. Everyone pointed the finger to him, including Jenson Button, who declared himself dissapointed and blamed Hamilton for his rather childish actions.
On the other hand, the 2008 champion has fallen into isolation since Button joined McLaren-Mercedes in 2010. Once pampered, he now had to compete to be visible with a team mate with much more charisma and whose popularity was growing fast. All that pressure and the lack of results, linked to major defects in the construction of the most recent single-seaters which failed to perform in a constant manner across an entire season, are the arguments that made Lewis think twice if he will continue with McLaren in 2013 or the two will just have to part ways.
Obviously, when discussing about the future of a Formula 1 driver, money is the most important part and the most solid basis on which decisions are being taken. Probably, Hamilton would like to receive more liquidities from McLaren as salary. This rumor, if true, shall be the Briton's way to play tough during the negociation as it is well known MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS invests high amounts of money in the activity, is in desperate need for better results and would pay a good driver like him more than the Brits are capable of and willing to. Even though Michael Schumacher would eventually continue at the Silver Arrows team in 2013 as well and Lewis Hamilton joines it, a decent solution could somehow be reached. But one has to take into consideration Nico Rosberg has already renewed its contract and shall compete for Mercedes-Benz after 2012 as well. This configuration already raises the challenge one step further.Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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The walls of the Kremlin echoed to the blast of high-revving V8 engines last weekend as Lewis Hamilton and his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes race car starred at the fifth annual Moscow City Racing event.~ Official photos and details courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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