Singapore Grand Prix 2012, Marina Bay - Race 14/20

McLaren, though, believe they have won the more important competition to secure the services of Hamilton over the next three years. His existing contract, which ends in November, is often reported to be £75m over five years, or £15m a year, but is believed to be a little less than that.

According to sources at McLaren, the money on offer from Mercedes is not as substantial as the £20m a year that has been reported. It is fair to say that Mercedes, who hold a board meeting on Wednesday, have been prepared to match McLaren's terms, with more money on offer through image rights. Mercedes pay Michael Schumacher, who at 43 has failed to finish seven of his races this year, £16m.

The deal to secure Hamilton is still not complete and, according to the Formula One commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, Hamilton had at one point decided to join Mercedes.

Ecclestone said on Monday: "I don't think Hamilton knows what he will do. These last couple or three races he has been doing very well. Before that, why he was upset I don't know but he was definitely going to move no matter what. He had made up his mind that he was going. Whether he has changed now I don't know."
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Duke said:
Autosport claiming Mclaren have matched Mercedes offer. Can't open the article though, had all my free viewings this month :rolleyes:
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Wait, what? Autosport are charging for viewing their website now? ******!

The article:

McLaren ready to match Mercedes' offer to Lewis Hamilton
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, September 25th 2012, 10:20 GMT

McLaren is ready to match Mercedes' wage offer to Lewis Hamilton in a bid to further tempt the former world champion to remain at his current team.

On the back of frenzied speculation about Hamilton's future caused by Eddie Jordan's claim that he would move to Mercedes in 2013, negotiations have been ongoing between the Briton's management team, XIX Entertainment, and McLaren.

Although no deal has yet been agreed, high-level sources suggest that the wage deal on offer is no longer an issue.

McLaren is believed to be offering at least, if not more, than the approximate £11.5 million per season deal that it is understood Mercedes has put on the table.

The main issue to be debated now is whether or not the greater commercial freedom that Hamilton could have at Mercedes - because personal sponsorship deals are not as tightly controlled as they are at McLaren - is worth enough for Hamilton and XIX to consider it a better option.

McLaren has a number of extensive commercial tie-ups with companies like Hugo Boss that limit the personal sponsorship possibilities that are open to its drivers.

However, as Hamilton's current deal with Reebok shows, there is scope for personal deals to be part of a McLaren package. And sources suggest the outfit may be willing to be more flexible in what it allows Hamilton to do if it guarantees securing his future.

The financial situation is also further complicated by the fact that any deals Hamilton could get at Mercedes may not be as much as win bonus possibilities he could have at McLaren.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh said over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend that he felt Hamilton appeared more focused.

When asked by AUTOSPORT whether there were any worries that the disappointment of retiring from the race would impact on Hamilton's decision about his future, Whitmarsh said: "I have to say that Lewis has been incredibly strong.

"I've spoken to Lewis first hand and he is in a very focused frame of mind. He came around, thanked everyone in the team for their efforts this weekend and it was a much stronger-minded Lewis that we have seen before.

"He is very focused, he knows there are 150 points that are available and he knows we are going to work hard to collect all of them, or as many as we can."

Other team members were equally keen to praise Hamilton's attitude over the Singapore weekend.

Mercedes reshuffle rumours

The situation for Hamilton is also further complicated by suggestions that Mercedes may be poised for a management shake-up.

Speculation in the Singapore paddock pointed to the Mercedes board pondering a reorganisation of how the outfit is run, having finally given agreement to a deal that will commit it to Formula 1 until 2020. A decision could come at a board meeting that is scheduled for this week.

Sources have suggested that former world champion Niki Lauda could even be drafted in to take a role with the team, following his successful involvement in negotiations between Mercedes and Bernie Ecclestone to frame a new Concorde Agreement deal.

Lauda himself denied that he had a firm offer in place from Mercedes, but did not dismiss the possibility completely.

"I've not been asked," he told AUTOSPORT about speculation of a role at Mercedes. "It would be wrong of me to say anything because I haven't been talked to about it.

"The only thing I did was help Mercedes with the Concorde Agreement discussions, and that was just to get the ball rolling between the two parties."
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Looks like Merc are safe 'till 2020, but Lauda? Nooo!

Also, does anyone else find it difficult to read "management company, XIX Entertainment" without laughing?
 
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Ta for posting the article.

Skeeter said:
Looks like Merc are safe 'till 2020, but Lauda? Nooo!
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I really cannot stand him at all.

Also, does anyone else find it difficult to read "management company, XIX Entertainment" without laughing?
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Yup, can just see them rubbing their hands waiting for the management fees to come in!
 
Mr Men said:
very mature, really if you can't debate his opinion in an adult fashion then don't post. You do this all the time, belittle everyone as if you are superior.
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What else is there to say in reply to a post where he starts off saying that Merc are a good team and McLaren are stagnant but ends it saying MSC probably wants to leave because Merc are incompetent and can't develop their car :confused:
 
Janesy B said:
It is complex for me to understand a post where you praise Mercedes and then at the end say MSC would want to leave Mercedes because they are incompetent and can't develop the car.
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right now they are ****

come the restrcturing and 2014 they will likely be one of the top teams.

found some fan footage of schumacher
must be to old for f1 ! clearly forgot to break LOL
 
Duke said:
New Martin Brundle article - http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1...-on-Sunday-but-tough-times-ahead-for-Fernando
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I think he's right, Fernando may well in be in trouble. I think Alonso will be happy to have a mclaren win and take the big points away from vettel. Mclaren are going to have a big say in his championship that's for sure.

If Red Bull beats them at Suzuka I think it might start to unravel for them. Massa is also a problem in that he can't take points away from Vettel like Webber could Alonso.

It's a two horse race now I'm sure and If Alonso gets pipped at the post again like 2010, well that surely would be hard to get over!
 
I don't think it will be too hard to get over as he will know he never lost it due to a lack of ability on his side, but if he does then that would be 3 titles he has lost on the last day, 2007, 2010 and maybe this year, could have been looking at his 5th title this year.
 
If the Mclaren dominance/speed continues and Lewis actually gets some luck for once in his life then It is still possible for him to do it. I would say he would have to win at LEASt 4 out of the last 6 races and podium the other two. Even then he might need some bad luck for Alonso as well.
 
Can Hamilton do it just on wins?

Ninja-maths...

52 points behind. Difference between a 1st and 2nd is 7 points. 7 x 6 = 42. So no, winning all 6 of the remaining races wont be enough on its own.
 
Jono8 said:
If the Mclaren dominance/speed continues and Lewis actually gets some luck for once in his life then It is still possible for him to do it. I would say he would have to win at LEASt 4 out of the last 6 races and podium the other two. Even then he might need some bad luck for Alonso as well.
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His only chance is if JB and SV can come between him and Alonso (and preferably the odd lotus / MW as well , or instead of SV, into the bargain)
 
Skeeter said:
Can Hamilton do it just on wins?

Ninja-maths...

52 points behind. Difference between a 1st and 2nd is 7 points. 7 x 6 = 42. So no, winning all 6 of the remaining races wont be enough on its own.
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FrankJH said:
His only chance is if JB and SV can come between him and Alonso (and preferably the odd lotus / MW as well , or instead of SV, into the bargain)
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He needs to finish an average of 10 points per race ahead of Alonso to win.

So if Hamilton wins every race and Alonso comes third, Hamilton wins even if Seb comes second in all of those races.

The odds are so stacked against that outcome it's not even funny but it is mathematically possible.
 
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