A Friend Remembered A Tribute to Mike Bell 2021 Calendar

Richard Casto · 13 Jan 2021, 16:47 (Ref:4028763)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillibowl

And lets also add big personalities used to winning and getting their own way.

For sure!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillibowl

of couse we are all just speculating but from what has been 'reported' is LH asking for anything outside the norm for a multiple and reigning champ?

Might even be lower then what we have seen in the past?

The two rumors that jumped out at me as being new (and maybe they are not) is

(1) Asking for a percentage (or significant percentage) of the teams cash winnings. But then maybe that is not unusual. Such as bonuses for winning championships. Maybe it's the size of the slice of the pie that is the problem?

(2) Asking for future involvement in the team in a unique way. How do you define that? And if you are running a business. If you "hire" someone and they ask for that type of freedom. That is a serious topic. Especially if maybe you don't want to say "yes". What if Lewis is contractually given some type of platform inside the team (or Mercedes) and in the end they don't like where he goes with it? No doubt whoever is handling the negotiation on Lewis' side should include clauses such as... If you push me out early, I get X compensation. Basically it is putting a dollar value on a non-monetary item that Lewis is asking for. And to do that correctly, you need that value to be large enough that it is painful to break that agreement. Otherwise, they could promise you the world but then just say no once the contract is signed and pay you to go a way.

This is fun to speculate. Maybe Lewis should sign a contract so we can have something else to discuss.

Richard

chillibowl · 13 Jan 2021, 17:34 (Ref:4028770)

Haha...it is the off season.

**Adam43** · 14 Jan 2021, 00:01 (Ref:4028846)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

This is fun to speculate. Maybe Lewis should sign a contract so we can have something else to discuss.

They should wait until the last minute to wind everyone up.

Skam85 · 14 Jan 2021, 00:26 (Ref:4028850)

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Originally Posted by Adam43

They should wait until the last minute to wind everyone up.

Yes but then it's just awkward when Giedo van der Garde rocks up in Bahrain insisting he has a Mercedes contract too.

S griffin · 14 Jan 2021, 00:27 (Ref:4028851)

I can’t help, but think back to Senna in 93, when it was uncertain if he was going to race for McLaren and ended up on a race by race deal. Circumstances are different with Hamilton of course, but this situation does remind me of Senna in 93

Casper · 14 Jan 2021, 00:29 (Ref:4028852)

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Originally Posted by S griffin

I think George Russell’s performance in the Merc has meant Lewis has lost that bargaining chip he had with Merc. Why pay him that much when they’ve got someone who can do just as good a job on less money?

Your are joking.....seriously? You truly believe that one drive has changed the whole value perspective of the world on the Hamilton/Mercedes/F1 brand. That sounds like when Kubica was looking to come back and everyone reckoned he was going to be a dominant force again. The Russell/Hamilton thing has exactly the same taste, people going nuts for a lot of stuff with absolutely no basis at all.

Casper · 14 Jan 2021, 00:40 (Ref:4028854)

It is entirely possible that Hamilton/Toto/Mercedes/INEOS put the contract to one side to be dealt with after INEOS was part of the team ownership structure and they are now dealing with it. In fact I would be surprised if they wanted to be dealing with both issues at once. I am amazed at some of the stuff written here and also other places but I guess that is obvious.

And it is the off season.

Skam85 · 14 Jan 2021, 00:59 (Ref:4028857)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

Your are joking.....seriously? You truly believe that one drive has changed the whole value perspective of the world on the Hamilton/Mercedes/F1 brand. That sounds like when Kubica was looking to come back and everyone reckoned he was going to be a dominant force again. The Russell/Hamilton thing has exactly the same taste, people going nuts for a lot of stuff with absolutely no basis at all.

I agree with the majority of the post, but I'm not sure anyone had really high hopes for an essentially one-armed Kubica in a Williams.

Richard Casto · 14 Jan 2021, 02:46 (Ref:4028872)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

It is entirely possible that Hamilton/Toto/Mercedes/INEOS put the contract to one side to be dealt with after INEOS was part of the team ownership structure and they are now dealing with it. In fact I would be surprised if they wanted to be dealing with both issues at once. I am amazed at some of the stuff written here and also other places but I guess that is obvious.

And it is the off season.

I do think you are right in that Lewis (or all involved) may have wanted to wait until the ownership restructuring was complete first (or not). But I also think that is generally old news. And I am amazed at the amount of hoops people will jump through to insist that his current lack of a contract is not odd.

Richard

Casper · 14 Jan 2021, 08:16 (Ref:4028896)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I do think you are right in that Lewis (or all involved) may have wanted to wait until the ownership restructuring was complete first (or not). But I also think that is generally old news. And I am amazed at the amount of hoops people will jump through to insist that his current lack of a contract is not odd.

Richard

It is only odd to those who want it to appear so and invent every story under the sun to justify some sort of conspiracy against the fans of F1. People used to question Webber's insistance of one year contracts and him not using an agent because it "was odd". In the circumstances I don't think it is anything out of the ordinary but I understand that is not a view that those who like speculation, myth and stories would subscribe to. It also does not make good reading in fora.

john ruston · 14 Jan 2021, 08:24 (Ref:4028900)

Keeps F1 on front page’s and that could be the game. Big Jim has stated the bloke is worth the dosh and it’s nothing compared with his costs with Ainsley America Cup job.
Now that needs a major push as not going to well but has the greatest race sailor . Definitely GOAT!

Moneyseeker · 14 Jan 2021, 09:05 (Ref:4028910)

I wonder how long the term will be that LH signs up for, do we think he will make it 8 WDC's (presuming he wins 2021 title) and then call it a day - regs changes coming up in 2022 often throw a curved ball?

On paper both Ferrari and RBR will now have two quick cars consistently in the mix this year, which might upset the Mercedes applecart on how they manage the races. I think Bottas may spend as much time looking over his shoulder as looking forward, with the likely threat of GR should LH sign a long term deal.

**chunterer** · 14 Jan 2021, 09:18 (Ref:4028918)

I can't help but feel we are repeating ourselves over and over about Hamilton 'will he, won't he' stuff?

There are other aspects to discuss too guys! 👍🏻

billy bleach · 14 Jan 2021, 09:27 (Ref:4028922)

Brazil has a new Covid strain. Can’t help thinking that 2021 will end up Europe based with Don’t care Russia and Money talks Middle East supporting again ...

steve_r · 14 Jan 2021, 16:01 (Ref:4029031)

Yeah, I reckon things will change. I also reckon that the teams need to get their act together properly re their 3rd / reserve drivers. Both Norris and LeClerc have come down with Covid in the last few days. Perhaps the vaccinations will be in place by the time the season starts though.