We have reached a very interesting stage in the season. Its that time of the year when Whispers are heard in the Paddock, Rumour Mills are running Overtime and Speculations abound.

 

Some Drivers stay with the Existing Team. Some have the liberty to choose their Drives next season while some wait expectantly for Developments and are chosen based on performances.

 

This Season has sprung big surprises and the "Driver Merry-Go-Round" has been no different.

 

 

The Biggest News over the past couple of days has been Lewis Hamilton's Move to Mercedes AMG Petronas.

 

The Move will have great influence on both this season and the next.

 

McLaren Mercedes have already made a decision and signed Sergio Perez as Lewis' Replacement for the next 3 years. Sergio Perez has had a commendable season producing some outstanding drives with Sauber Ferrari F1 this season.

 

The Movements of these two drivers has added more spice to the Driver Lineups of next season.

 

   

Let us study the signifance of these decisions :

 

The Lewis Hamilton Situation :

 

Hamilton's relationship goes a long way with McLaren and his move away to Mercedes hasn't been received well within the British Media.

In December 1995, at the age of ten, Lewis approached McLaren team principal Ron Dennis at the Autosport Awards ceremony and told him, "I want to race for you one day ... I want to race for McLaren." Less than three years later McLaren and Mercedes-Benz signed him to their Young Driver Support Programme.

The Team comprised of the British Supercar Maker McLaren and German Automaking Giant Mercedes-Benz.

Both worked as a deadly duo to bring great success to the 2nd longest serving team in Formula 1. Lewis entered Formula 1 in 2007 when Kimi Raikkonen left McLaren Mercedes for Scuderia Ferrari. Lewis went on to become the Champion in 2008.

2009 brought a Rapid Change of Events. Brawn GP a debutant team headed by Ross Brawn won the Drivers Championship with Jenson Button and the Constructors Championship.

Mercedes parted ways with McLaren to only become an Engine Supplier to the team till 2015. The 40 % Buy-back by McLaren was completed in 2011.

McLaren lost a good amount of funding from Mercedes but their experience in Formula 1 helped them stay in contention every season. 2010 was a closely contested one while 2011 was just sheer domination by Vettel. Lewis had a season to forget with incidents that questioned his presence in Formula 1. ( 2011 ) 

The team has suffered from the perennial problem of Reliability. They have always had the pace and quality to challenge but reliability issues have always hampered the team's title charge.

 

 

Mercedes went on to aquire Brawn GP and the team was re-christened "Mercedes GP Petronas F1 " ( This year changed to "Mercedes AMG Petronas F1" ) in 2010 with Micahel Schumacher and Nico Rosberg heading the Title Charge.  

Mercedes comprised of an all-German team while McLaren acquired the services of Jenson Button to become the all-English team.

Michael Schumacher joined Mercedes AMG Petronas in 2010 after returning from Retirement but has struggled since. One Pole Position ( taken away due to a gearbox penalty ) and One Podium is all he has been able to achieve up until now.

The team on a whole has enjoyed limited success and were rewarded with their First Victory when Nico Rosberg won in Shanghai this year. Reliability Problems, Driver Errors have dogged their campaigns.

 

 

On Paper Lewis' move seems like a step-back. What influenced such a decision?

  

 

McLaren were quite slow in approaching Lewis for a new deal. They underestimated the prowess of their earlier ally and their lack of urgency cost them.  

Lewis suffered a big setback recently when his Gearbox failed in Singapore while leading the race. Lewis' victory in Monza ( the previous race ) was accepted coldly by Ron Dennis and he was hounded all weekend with questions of Lewis' Contract talks. He stated it was Martin Whitmarsh's responsibility to do what he had to do.

Lewis thanked the team on the radio after his Monza Victory. He sounded quite emotional and it seemed this result might want him to extend his contract with the team. The Retirement at Singapore completely changed the scenario.

McLaren seemed to offer a pay-cut only to improve their contract later to make him the highest paid driver on the grid if he accepted it. He would have earned 25 Million Pounds with all bonuses if he stayed for 5 years.

Lewis has signed a three-year deal, believed to be worth approximately £45m over its duration at Mercedes.

Lewis' Management XIX Entertainment have a strong track record when it comes to delivering lucrative contracts and this is a sweet deal for Lewis.

 

According to me, its a big victory for Mercedes AMG Petronas.

 

They have acquired the services of a driver who knows how to win Championships, they have the necessary funding and their interests are very much at being successful in Formula 1. They are also developing their 2014 Engine as that season will feature a completely new Engine Spec.

 

Lewis will have his Friend and former Karting Team-Mate Nico Rosberg as co-driver and it would be interesting to see the partnership they form from next season.

 

 

McLaren Mercedes have played smart by acquiring the services of Sergio Perez. The Mexican is backed by the World's richest man Carlos Slim and the Woking Based team will have Big Sponsorships from next year. Perez is young and talented and at the age of 22 definitely seems Championship Material.  

The Mexican will earn about £3million a year, a fraction of the annual retainer of £15m which could have climbed to £25m with bonuses and extras for titles if Hamilton had signed for another five years - Wise Saving for the Team.

 

 

McLaren seem to emerge stronger than Lewis from this situation. Lewis will have to earn the top-spot at Mercedes and no longer enjoy the "Special treatment", something he might rue later.

 

   

How does it affect the other Drivers??

 

Felipe Massa should heave a sigh of Relief. The greatest contender for his seat in Scuderia Ferrari has gone to McLaren Mercedes. Perez who was monitored by Ferrari all season and shortlisted to replace Massa for next season has given Massa a new lease of life. Massa seems to be the only driver who would complement the guile and ability of Alonso, so for me he should stay put.

 

Michael Schumacher's indecision for next season cost him his seat at Mercedes AMG Petronas. It remains to be seen if Hamilton's appointment will signal Schumacher's second - and permanent - retirement from the sport. Ross Brawn has hinted at giving Schumacher a role next season but the German seems to be more interested in Racing rather than take a passive role with the team. Scuderia Toro Rosso, Williams F1 and Sauber Ferrari F1 have vacancies and the next few weeks should give us a clear picture.

 

Bruno Senna has some tense weeks ahead of him. His season has been mediocre and his perfromances have been eclipsed by team-mate Pastor Maldonado. Senna has to produce results in the next 2 races to strengthen his chances of a drive next season. Valtteri Bottas, the team's test-driver is shortlisted as his replacement and the chances of seeing 3 Finns on the Grid Next Season seem bright.

  

Lotus F1 Team seem to have the same driver line-up next season but Kimi Raikkonen's Fantastic return to Formula 1 has caused some bigger teams to have a look at him again. Ferrari, his ex-employers and the team with whom he won the Drivers Championship in 2007 seem to be interested but having Alonso and Raikkonen in one team would be too hot to handle for the Italians.

 

Raikkonen is happy at Lotus and the team is continuously improving the car to help him with his title-bid this year. HE SHOULD STAY PUT according to me.

 

   

Red Bull Racing will see no driver movement until next year as they have confirmed the extension of Webber's contract for another year.

 

 

This Season isn't done yet and we have a lot of racing left. The Next Season promises to be a more exciting one though!!

 

Bring it on!!