If McLaren were to issue loyalty cards, then Lewis Hamilton would assuredly have one. How long he might carry on using it is another matter altogether.
Asked about his long-term allegiance to the Formula One team at the Chinese Grand Prix, the 2008 world champion preferred to emphasise that he needed to be in a car that could win the championship.
“I don’t really envisage anything to be honest,” the 26-year-old Briton replied after a long pause when asked whether he could envisage spending his whole career at one team.
“I envisage myself winning world championships and doing whatever I need to do to win world championships.”
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F1 Standings Ahead of Chinese Grand Prix
Hamilton missed out on a title in his debut 2007 season by a single point and was mathematically in the running for another last year right up to the final race in Abu Dhabi. Daily News & Analysis
Lewis Hamilton hinted that he could leave McLaren in search of more success if the British team cannot provide him with a car capable of winning multiple world championships.
“I am fortunate enough to be in a top team where I am comfortable but I want to win championships. I have only got a short period in Formula One,” he said.
“I have always enjoyed racing here (at McLaren) and would like to continue. But you also, at the end of the year, have to assess what position you are in and what happened.
“If you’re in a good enough place and you’re happy, then there’s no need to go anywhere. But loyalty has its limits.”
Reports circulating in the Shanghai paddock ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix suggest McLaren are looking to sign Hamilton and current teammate and 2009 world champion Jenson Button until 2017.
But Hamilton said he hasn’t spoken to McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh about a possible extension to his current contract, which runs out after the 2012 season.
Hamilton said: “No one has mentioned it to me. But it’s lovely to hear and I’m obviously doing something right. I will grill Martin on it.” AFP
According to Hamilton, Red Bull, who would be favourites to sign him if he did move on, are getting stronger and stronger.
“They’re better this year,” he said. “They’re just getting better. The car is the quickest so now they can focus on other areas. Their pit stop is the fastest. They’re in and out. Boom. It’s like clockwork.”
Button, who succeeded Hamilton as world champion in 2009, was more upbeat about McLaren’s chances of overhauling Red Bull.
He said: “I think we can make more headway than Red Bull, because of not really completely knowing our car and not having the perfect set-up over the past couple of races. Also we have some updates here; I don’t know if Red Bull has.” CITY A.M.
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