HAMILTON MAY LEAVE MCLAREN FOR RIVALS MERCEDES
According to the latest gossip, Lewis Hamilton could be heading to Mercedes next season ending an association with McLaren where he has been for the last six years. Former Jordan Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan confirmed that the British driver has “already agreed personal terms and a deal could be imminent” with the German manufacturer. Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 but has been seeking to switch teams recently, with Jordan stating that he even got in touch with Ferrari for a seat. The 2007 world champion has met with Mercedes to potentially replace Michael Schumacher next year, who has been speculated to quit racing at the end of the season. "Hamilton has not agreed terms with McLaren yet. In fact, the team have made it clear they cannot offer him as big a salary as his current $15 million deal, which was negotiated before the global financial crisis,” Jordan told BBC Sport. "On top of that, McLaren have to pay for their Mercedes engines for the first time next year," he reasoned. Mercedes is yet to announce whether Schumacher will continue beyond 2012 stating it was “inevitable that there will be speculation around this topic” until its driver line-up is confirmed. Hamilton’s management, which has been trying to “position Hamilton as a major global star, like (David) Beckham”, claimed that the 27-year-old is now in "advanced discussions with McLaren about a new deal". “Mercedes is a much bigger global brand than McLaren,” Jordan however pointed out. McLaren though stated that it was informed by Hamilton’s management that the story of the departure of its driver was untrue.
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Post time 29-8-2012 02:21 PM
baru betul
