Whitmarsh "Hamilton Had Regrets"

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by wnut

Has anyone ever gone back to McLaren?

It isn't really relevant to the discussion, but Prost did. Frankly it is rare for any driver to go back to any team. Carry on though.

[bella]

Originally Posted by davyboy

To me, there's enough pointers there to indicate that Lewis has placed his commercial best interests ahead of his driving.

i don't know if you read f1elvis' blog, but it's worth a read, particularly with what he has to say about the team and lewis. he's very good at explaining the human aspect of what was going on. draw all the conclusions you like about commercial reasons but to me it feels like when you've had a job for a while and you actually like the work a lot but the general attitude and the people you work with just don't work any more and you're looking for another job.

if you were offered a job with better benefits but similar pay, perhaps one in which you'd have to work longer hours but your actions were going to be key in helping the company grow and become more successful and profitable... you'd probably gamble on it wouldn't you? it's all very well having your feet under the table at your current job but if you're a bit bored and fancy a challenge...

[wolfhound]

Hamilton might go back to McLaren in the future

"You can never say never and I've had a great time" he said "I think it will always be my home"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104746

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Frankly it is rare for any driver to go back to any team. Carry on though.

Just out of interest, is it really that rare? Off the top of my head i can think of Brundle, Herbert, Berger, Massa, Alonso, Prost, Heidfeld and Mansell all racing for the same team at two seperate stages of their career. Three times for Mansell.

[Mr V]

Derek Warwick also thinks that Lewis maybe regretting his decision

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Just out of interest, is it really that rare? Off the top of my head i can think of Brundle, Herbert, Berger, Massa, Alonso, Prost, Heidfeld and Mansell all racing for the same team at two seperate stages of their career. Three times for Mansell.

That is looking quite rare then. Massa didn't race anywhere in between.

Mansell is a great example. Most similar to Hamilton. The first time could be considered similar to the current situation. The second time he left he wasn't a happy bunny.

There was Graham Hill too.

[wnut]

So in other words Mr V, Prost is the only driver that has ever gone back to McLaren having left.

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by numbersix

It is rumoured that McLaren's first offer was a wage cut. I think they may be regretting that decision now.

I reckon Ron was trying to be smart thinking that Hamilton had nowhere else to go... Funny how that turned out eh?

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by wnut

So in other words Mr V, Prost is the only driver that has ever gone back to McLaren having left.

And even then only after A) Teddy Mayer was gone and B) there were no other options, what with Renault ditching him so late.

That said, I think Hamilton could well go back one day. The sentiment, both from Hamilton and the team, since he left after Brazil has surprised me. There has been a warmth I hadn't perhaps expected after the last two seasons.

Of course Hamilton will have regrets. But he needs to try something else, either permanently or temporarily. More power to him.

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by wolfhound

Hamilton might go back to McLaren in the future

"You can never say never and I've had a great time" he said "I think it will always be my home"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104746

Saying that before he has even planted his bum in a Mercedes tells me that he is regretting the move.

[Adam43]

Probably, but it also indicates that he is being nice.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Probably, but it also indicates that he is being nice.

Exactly right Adam, he is leaving the door open which is always a good thing, and letting Martin and Ron know how much he holds McLaren close to his heart..

[bella]

yeah, exactly - never burn any bridges. you don't know who you're going to end up working with or alongside in the future. or who you might want to go back to

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

Saying that before he has even planted his bum in a Mercedes tells me that he is regretting the move.

Originally Posted by Adam43

Probably, but it also indicates that he is being nice.

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Exactly right Adam, he is leaving the door open which is always a good thing, and letting Martin and Ron know how much he holds McLaren close to his heart..

Originally Posted by bella

yeah, exactly - never burn any bridges. you don't know who you're going to end up working with or alongside in the future. or who you might want to go back to

Yes, I just think that people see too much in nothing at all. This is all good PR and we see this happening in all kind of sports. He was champion there and had a great time, SURE he would love to come back some day.