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Hamilton hints at McLaren stay
Source: AFP |
July 21, 2012, Saturday
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LEWIS Hamilton dropped a heavy hint yesterday that he is ready to re-sign with McLaren and stay with the team that has been his second home nearly all his motor racing career.
Hamilton said he would feel "abnormal" to race for any other team in Formula One. Speaking on the eve of opening practise for this weekend's German Grand Prix, the 2008 world champion made it clear he was in no rush to confirm his future as he reaches the end of his current contract.
"I have a lot of faith in this team, we're like a family," Hamilton told reporters in the Hockenheim paddock. "Anything different would feel very abnormal.
"For me, when you are in a position like this for the first time, you have to do due diligence, and you have to make sure that you look at the whole grid.
"You have to look at all your options and know all your plans, and not rush into things. Some of the worst decisions are generally the ones that are rushed."
Hamilton grew up with McLaren after joining the team as a teenager and being groomed for the top. He said he hoped that he could be at McLaren when they next found success.
"It's been a tough 10-15 years for this team," he said. "So I'm looking and waiting for that period to come where they have their highest point. They had it with Mika (Hakkinen) in the late 1990s and I hope that at some stage it's our turn.
"I definitely feel that I can do it, and I'm constantly boosted by the team when I go back and see how hard they are pushing. This team never gives up, I never do, and hopefully at some stage we will be rewarded for that.
Earlier McLaren team chief Martin Whitmarsh suggested his team would have no difficulty in retaining the Briton's services for the long-term future.
"I'm expecting that we will reach agreement on a long-term deal," said Whitmarsh. "We appear nowadays to be often asked questions about it, but I don't think it occupies as much time in our minds as it does in column inches."
Hamilton said he would feel "abnormal" to race for any other team in Formula One. Speaking on the eve of opening practise for this weekend's German Grand Prix, the 2008 world champion made it clear he was in no rush to confirm his future as he reaches the end of his current contract.
"I have a lot of faith in this team, we're like a family," Hamilton told reporters in the Hockenheim paddock. "Anything different would feel very abnormal.
"For me, when you are in a position like this for the first time, you have to do due diligence, and you have to make sure that you look at the whole grid.
"You have to look at all your options and know all your plans, and not rush into things. Some of the worst decisions are generally the ones that are rushed."
Hamilton grew up with McLaren after joining the team as a teenager and being groomed for the top. He said he hoped that he could be at McLaren when they next found success.
"It's been a tough 10-15 years for this team," he said. "So I'm looking and waiting for that period to come where they have their highest point. They had it with Mika (Hakkinen) in the late 1990s and I hope that at some stage it's our turn.
"I definitely feel that I can do it, and I'm constantly boosted by the team when I go back and see how hard they are pushing. This team never gives up, I never do, and hopefully at some stage we will be rewarded for that.
Earlier McLaren team chief Martin Whitmarsh suggested his team would have no difficulty in retaining the Briton's services for the long-term future.
"I'm expecting that we will reach agreement on a long-term deal," said Whitmarsh. "We appear nowadays to be often asked questions about it, but I don't think it occupies as much time in our minds as it does in column inches."
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