He explained that there are two things that mean a lot to racing drivers –
their crash helmets and their trophies.
“They are the two things that are the most valuable,” he claimed. “I don’t
care if they don’t give me my cars, but those two things are what you put
your blood and sweat in to.”
Hard-bitten F1 cynics would claim that drivers have a third consideration:
their bank balances. Hamilton’s manager, Simon Fuller, no doubt has those
negotiations in hand.
Hamilton says his prime concern is a competitive car. He points out that, at
27, he is not getting any younger and that multiple world championship wins
were always his ambition.
According to team-mate Jenson Button that ambition would be best served by
Hamilton staying where he is.
“Lewis has been here for a long time now,” he said, “and while sometimes it’s
exciting to try something new, you have to be brave to do that.”
Button, who finished sixth on Saturday, is still prepared to get fully behind
Hamilton’s reborn 2012 championship assault, despite being 88 points behind
Fernando Alonso.
“I’m going to help the team get as many points as they can,” he continued. “If
I am leading a race, then I want to win that race. That’s what racing
drivers do. We don’t have a No1 and a No2 driver in this team.
“If there comes a time in this championship when I can’t win, then I will
obviously help my team-mate. But there’s a long way to go and a long time
before I will feel I am in that position.”
If the partnership is to break, Hamilton’s 2013 options appear limited. The
door is closed to him at Ferrari by the presence of Alonso.
Red Bull have both Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber contracted beyond the end
of the year. Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher are expected to continue
with Mercedes, which still has a performance gap to close.
Lotus have said that Kimi Raikkonen is expected to stay but if rumours of a
potential return to Ferrari develop, a seat could open up at a Lotus team
looking highly competitive. Hamilton’s financial requirements could be a
barrier there.
As Button says, it would be a brave man to leave a team with the strength and
depth of McLaren. Particularly after another win.