'Hamiltons set to have a chat with McLaren'

[The Feedster]

Hot from Planet F1 News

Anthony Hamilton is believed to be wanting a chat with McLaren after the team's latest scandal sullied his son's reputation and left Anthony contemplating a move away from McLaren."

Anthony Hamilton is reportedly considering whether he should advise his son Lewis to leave McLaren.

In the wake of the 'liargate' scandal, which saw a near-tearful Hamilton offer a grovelling apology on Friday in Sepang after admitting he misled Australian GP stewards on the instruction of McLaren's Sporting Director Dave Ryan, The Daily Mail claims that 'Hamilton's future with McLaren is on a knife-edge'.

'Hamilton Snr is understood to be pondering whether to turn his back on McLaren, the team who supported Lewis through the ranks at an estimated cost of £5million, and switch to rivals less prone to shooting themselves in the foot,' the newspaper reports.

'The biggest stumbling block to engineering an escape route concerns where to place Lewis.

'Ferrari are favourites, if he can wriggle out of his five-year contract worth £75m, but they are currently as slow as McLaren. He is into his second year of the deal but various get-out clauses could cut his stay short.'

Hamilton junior, meanwhile, is expected to hold talks with the team at their Woking HQ this week.
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[rolfw]

Hmm, looks like rats deserting the sinking ship.

Hamilton senior has a lot to answer for, particularly regarding the lies about the reasons behind the move to Switzerland, looks like truth is the first casualty in the journey to wealth and greatness in their case.

The other question is whether anyone else will want him given the history and when there are plenty of much cheaper young drivers coming through.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I used to get slightly embarrassed at 17 when dad got involved in my after school activities (more often than not involving traffic offences on small motorbikes).

Lewis is 22 (?)

 

[rolfw]

Well his Dad is his manager, so I guess that his involvement is to be expected.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Well, his 'manager' was about as useful as a diesel spark-plug last week.

 

[Topper]

It certainly seems as though it is down to whether or not a team/company has ethics and I am sorry to say that it would appear McLaren have not got any, which comes as a big surprise to me and in view of the competitive nature of F1 and possible rewards for doing well, I wonder how many other teams cut things to the bone as regards ethics.

 

[Salty25]

In McLaren's defence, it is hardly surprising that a 'protective' culture has emerged in the team when in previous seasons they have appeared to be at the thick end of FIA/stewards decisions whereas their deadliest rivals, Ferrari, get seemingly much more favourable treatment. Still, that is by no means an excuse.

For me, Hamilton has at least been used by others as much as he has used others himself. The fact that Hamilton is world driver champion and McLaren are not team champions should not be discounted. Also, had Hamilton been awarded 4th in Aus(!), he would currently be 4th in a car that is widely accepted as sub-standard.

I wonder sometimes whether the Hamilton-Alonso battle lives on behind the scenes as well.

 

[Topper]

I wonder sometimes whether the Hamilton-Alonso battle lives on behind the scenes as well.

Well perhaps but certainly the statement Alonso came out with last week means that he will do everything in his powers to get McLaren into trouble, if I can find the link I'll post it

 

[Salty25]

Yes please, I'd love to read it. When all is said and done, I really can't see the WMSC (World Motorsport Council) kicking McLaren out of the entire 2009 season, but a multiple race suspension is possible.

 

[Topper]

That's odd I cannot find the original article in its entirety it seems to have lost a paragraph or two or perhaps I was reading another site, I'll keep looking but if you read this reading between the lines tell you as much

 

[Salty25]

I suppose he is entitled to his opinion, but he was central to the spy scandal so he can hardly claim the moral high ground.

 

[The Feedster]

Hot from Planet F1 News

Lewis Hamilton issued a private apology to FIA race director Charlie Whiting after he was caught 'deliberately misleading'
the stewards."

Whiting has offered an insight into the events that will now see McLaren face the World Motor Sport Council in Paris later this month to answer a charge of bringing the sport into disrepute.

Whiting claims he sensed Hamilton was lying to stewards presiding over the Australian Grand Prix as they tried to ascertain whether or not he had allowed Toyota's Jarno Trulli to pass him behind the safety car.

Four days later in Sepang, in the wake of fresh evidence emerging that snared Hamilton and McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan, the world champion later apologised to Whiting.

Hamilton then offered a public apology during an emotional press conference in front of the media at the circuit.

Speaking to Autosport, Whiting said: "I was distinctly uncomfortable about Lewis' demeanour on Sunday (in Australia). It was completely clear he was telling lies.

"On Thursday (in Malaysia) I would say he was just doing what he was told to do.

"The fact he came and apologised to me in Sepang sums it up pretty much.

"He came to me and wanted to talk to me privately, and just said he wanted to apologise for everything he'd done, and he wouldn't do it again, that sort of thing."

In Malaysia, Hamilton and Ryan were presented with damning evidence - namely radio transmissions and an interview the 24-year-old gave immediately after the race - that made clear he was told by the team to allow Trulli by.

Regardless, Hamilton and Ryan foolishly continued in their attempt to mislead the stewards, with the former evasive with his answers to questions from Whiting.
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