Hamilton close to signing new contract (If he gets to keep his trophies?)

**F1boat** · 5th Aug 12, 11:30

I think that he waits for Schumacher's move... if the German retires he may try his luck with Mercedes, but honestly I think that he will stay with McLaren.

**Mr Alca-Tazizzle** · 5th Aug 12, 15:00

Originally Posted by henners88

I don't think anybody here seriously thinks he will.

**Mr Alca-Tazizzle** · 5th Aug 12, 15:18

Originally Posted by henners88

Apart from you of course

I think he will eventually drive for Ferrari. Although I really don't think that he will for 2013, I don't think the reasons I've heard here preclude it however.

**Mr Alca-Tazizzle** · 5th Aug 12, 16:44

Originally Posted by henners88

Hopefully 'if' he drives for Ferrari all his great years will be over. I couldn't imagine cheering for a Ferrari even if I don't support any particular team.

Well that's the most pompous statement I've read in some time.

I don't think you get it: Ferrari would have no interest in LH after

Originally Posted by henners88

all his great years will be over"

**kfzmeister** · 5th Aug 12, 19:33

Originally Posted by Dr Giacomo Rappaccini

Well that's the most pompous statement I've read in some time.

I don't think you get it: Ferrari would have no interest in LH after.....all his great years will be over

That pretty much seals his never going there, doesn't it?

**Mr Alca-Tazizzle** · 5th Aug 12, 20:34

snap

I'll just grab my coat and.....

**Garry Walker** · 7th Aug 12, 20:21

Originally Posted by The Black Knight

It has always been that way at McLaren. I remember Mika Hakkinen wanting to keep his as well and McLaren said that if he didn't like the situation that he could leave the team. I can't imagine McLaren changing this for Hamilton to be honest. They never did it for any other driver, so I don't see why they should do it for him.

Yeah, they didn't change it for people like Senna or Prost, why would they change it for someone like Hamilton?

Originally Posted by Zico

I cant believe I'd never heard of that before. I wonder what the reasoning behind such an unfair clause might be... because they can?

Unfair? What is unfair about it? They pay insane amounts of money to the driver, they provide him with a top level car, what more can he ask for.

Originally Posted by gloomyDAY

I never knew about this "tradition". This is pretty stupid and I feel bad for McLaren's drivers. Maybe if McLaren change this policy it won't take another decade to win another WDC.

If I was a teamboss I would enforce the same rule. But yeah, sure, if they change that policy, the titles will just start coming in. LOL.

Originally Posted by Hawkmoon

Only McLaren would come up with a policy like that. Or perhaps I should say only Ron Dennis would come up with a policy like that. Never has there been a more anally retentive figure in the history of sport.

It is clearly one of the most clever ideas Ron has had.

**Zico** · 7th Aug 12, 20:50

Originally Posted by Garry Walker

They pay insane amounts of money to the driver, they provide him with a top level car, what more can he ask for.

To be allowed to keep his own trophies?

**Mark** · 7th Aug 12, 20:51

Originally Posted by Zico

No chance!... If Lewis moves to Ferrari for next season I'll run a mile up the huge hill opposite my home in the buff!

We'll hold you to that!

**Mark** · 7th Aug 12, 20:53

Originally Posted by Zico

To be allowed to keep his own trophies?

It's not like this is a new development at McLaren. And it was Lewis' personal choice to go and drive for that team.

**Zico** · 7th Aug 12, 20:57

Originally Posted by Mark

It's not like this is a new development at McLaren. And it was Lewis' personal choice to go and drive for that team.

Yep, I do actually agree. Having not heard about it before I was just a bit shocked that they even had this 'tradition'.

**Hawkmoon** · 8th Aug 12, 13:56

Originally Posted by Garry Walker

It is clearly one of the most clever ideas Ron has had.

I'm not so sure it's been that clever. McLaren have won 3 WDC in 20 years. Keeping the driver's trophies doesn't seem to have helped that much.

**Ranger** · 8th Aug 12, 14:50

Originally Posted by Zico

Yep, I do actually agree. Having not heard about it before I was just a bit shocked that they even had this 'tradition'.

Red Bull also do it... as they are entitled to do, because they build the car.

If Senna and Prost didn't get to keep their original trophies then I'm as sure as hell that Lewis shouldn't.

**Zico** · 8th Aug 12, 16:30

Originally Posted by Matthew

Red Bull also do it... as they are entitled to do, because they build the car.

If Senna and Prost didn't get to keep their original trophies then I'm as sure as hell that Lewis shouldn't.

Are these the drivers originals though? Maybe I missed it...
With most teams the drivers trophy is awarded to and belongs to the driver. The constructors win their own trophies and thats the way it should be. I can see some value in keeping the trophy cabinets full at the team factories but does it have to be the drivers original ? I think thats a bit unnecessary and twisted.

On the other hand... Yep, if Senna and Prost didn't get theirs then why should Lewis expect anything different When its written in to contracts and the driver has accepted the situation then fair enough but you use the word "entitled"?... only legally Imo.

**Bagwan** · 8th Aug 12, 16:47

The problem here is obviously that , during the trophy ceremony , they put them down and spray the champagne .
It's then that the team steals it away and locks it in the glass cabinet , out of reach .

Lewis should be all for Bernie's medals idea , because it would hang around his neck , making it harder for evil Ron's henchmen to grab it .

If he likes trophies , though , I guess the only way to do it would be to slip it into his Pussy-cat dolls backpack he could put on in the ready room .

**Mr Alca-Tazizzle** · 8th Aug 12, 17:05

Originally Posted by Zico

No chance!... If Lewis moves to Ferrari for next season I'll run a mile up the huge hill opposite my home in the buff!

Bookmarked!

**Mr Alca-Tazizzle** · 8th Aug 12, 17:19

Originally Posted by Bagwan

Lewis should be all for Bernie's medals idea , because it would hang around his neck , making it harder for evil Ron's henchmen to grab it .

Not sure I would want Beelzeboss to receive medals; he may hang someone like Igornado by the neck (until dead) with one of them.

**Ranger** · 13th Aug 12, 06:14

Originally Posted by Zico

Are these the drivers originals though? Maybe I missed it...

They are originals. At 2:54 you can see the 2010 Monaco trophy that was damaged on the ceiling of the rostrum.

Originally Posted by Zico

With most teams the drivers trophy is awarded to and belongs to the driver. The constructors win their own trophies and thats the way it should be. I can see some value in keeping the trophy cabinets full at the team factories but does it have to be the drivers original ? I think thats a bit unnecessary and twisted.

Unnecessary and twisted?

Top teams spend at least $200 million+ per year and employ 300+ people building a car they hope will simply compete for victory.

Of those 300+ employees, two are paid a combined salary of $15-$40 million per year by the team, in addition to sponsorship they earn elsewhere.

It is the team's prerogative to keep the driver's trophies if they want. It isn't like the team don't pay for the replica trophies to be made for the drivers either.

Originally Posted by Zico

On the other hand... Yep, if Senna and Prost didn't get theirs then why should Lewis expect anything different When its written in to contracts and the driver has accepted the situation then fair enough but you use the word "entitled"?... only legally Imo.

Ninety percent of the time, a superior driver can't win in an half-decent F1 car, but a half-decent driver can win in a superior F1 car.

That's the weighting behind my opinion anyway.

**Garry Walker** · 13th Aug 12, 18:14

Originally Posted by The Black Knight

It has always been that way at McLaren. I remember Mika Hakkinen wanting to keep his as well and McLaren said that if he didn't like the situation that he could leave the team. I can't imagine McLaren changing this for Hamilton to be honest. They never did it for any other driver, so I don't see why they should do it for him.

Originally Posted by Zico

I cant believe I'd never heard of that before. I wonder what the reasoning behind such an unfair clause might be... because they can?

Originally Posted by gloomyDAY

I never knew about this "tradition". This is pretty stupid and I feel bad for McLaren's drivers. Maybe if McLaren change this policy it won't take another decade to win another WDC.

Originally Posted by Hawkmoon

Only McLaren would come up with a policy like that. Or perhaps I should say only Ron Dennis would come up with a policy like that. Never has there been a more anally retentive figure in the history of sport.

Originally Posted by Matthew

They are originals. At 2:54 you can see the 2010 Monaco trophy that was damaged on the ceiling of the rostrum.

Unnecessary and twisted?

Top teams spend at least $200 million+ per year and employ 300+ people building a car they hope will simply compete for victory.

Of those 300+ employees, two are paid a combined salary of $15-$40 million per year by the team, in addition to sponsorship they earn elsewhere.

It is the team's prerogative to keep the driver's trophies if they want. It isn't like the team don't pay for the replica trophies to be made for the drivers either.

Ninety percent of the time, a superior driver can't win in an half-decent F1 car, but a half-decent driver can win in a superior F1 car.

That's the weighting behind my opinion anyway.

Great post.