Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 team announces that Lewis Hamilton has signed a new 3-year contract with the team starting in 2013. Perhaps, an even bigger news is that he will be replacing seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher. Does it mean that Michael is leaving the sport for good at the end of this season? I am betting this is the case.
Michael Schumacher said the following in a statement:
“I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side.”
“I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I will now concentrate on the next races.”
Lewis Hamilton made this statement:
“It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter.”
“Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share. Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.”
The rumor is that Hamilton’s 3-year deal with the Mercedes Formula 1 team will net Lewis upward of $100M.
McLaren team (who use Mercedes power plants) also announced that Lewis’s empty seat will be taken by a promising young driver, Sergio Perez. Sergio signed a “multi-year” contract with McLaren Formula 1 team, details of which are not all known. Who will be replacing Sergio at team Sauber is not yet known.
This year will play out with all of the drivers in their current teams.
What are you thoughts? Can Perez produce great results from the get-go? Can Lewis deliver on the very high expectations from Mercedes? Please tell us in the Comments below.
