Hamilton to Mercedes: Is this a good move?

Sep 6, 2012

I won’t argue the veracity of the statement made by BBC’s Eddie Jordan…he’s in the pit lane and knows a lot of people so I have no reason to believe he has any cause to throw around random rumors but then not all that shines is gold. What I will discuss with you is the concept of Lewis Hamilton moving to Mercedes. Jordan said:

“Some weeks ago I said on TV that I felt Lewis was on the move and I had an idea at the time he had been speaking to Ferrari, which we now know is true,” Jordan said.
“But I can now confirm his people have had meetings with Mercedes.
“Bernie Ecclestone made it clear to me live on television on Sunday that Schumacher was leaving, although Schumacher later played it down.
“So it would appear Michael is leaving and Lewis is arriving at Mercedes.
“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 $15m (£9.42m) deal, which was negotiated before the global financial crisis.
“On top of that, McLaren have to pay for their Mercedes engines for the first time next year.
“Hamilton moving to Mercedes would also make a lot of sense in the context of his manager Simon Fuller, the man behind the Spice Girls and now David Beckham.
“Fuller is trying to position Hamilton as a major global star, like Beckham, and Mercedes is a much bigger global brand than McLaren.
“There has been some uncertainty over Mercedes’ position in F1. The board is unhappy at the current performance of the team, but getting Hamilton would undoubtedly be a massive coup and it could give the F1 team some breathing space.”

“There has appeared no urgency from either Hamilton or McLaren to sort out a new contract for 2013 and at the same time there have been signs of unease in the relationship”

Let’s start the discussion like this…does this make sense? Is this a good idea? The prevailing notion was that Paul di Resta would be the man for Schumacher’s seat if/when he retires from the sport. If Hamilton is going to Merc, that seems out of the question at this point. Would Paul make a good replacement at McLaren if Lewis moves? Lewis has a history with Mercedes, he’s raced their engines for his entire Formula One career. Landing Hamilton may give the team a shot in the arm that has waned since the heady days of the Schumacher returns story.

Would the Ross Brawn team be a good spot for a personality like Hamilton’s? How about a team swap with Schumacher to McLaren? That would certainly turn the stomachs of an army of Macca fans wouldn’t it? Let us know your thoughts on teh rumor and if you feel this is a good match or a move backward for Hamilton.