Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the "kings" of the 2013 driver market, according to the headline in the Spanish sports newspaper AS. As such, the media is hanging on their every word. Hamilton's latest quote is that, while yet to put pen to paper for next season, he is "happy" with McLaren. But insiders insist he is very seriously weighing-up a huge financial offer from Mercedes.
Writing for Reuters, journalist Alan Baldwin said the 2013 driver market is "stalled" until the 2008 world champion "makes up his mind". The move would have implications all over the paddock, including at Ferrari, where some potential replacements for Felipe Massa might also be waiting to see if equal number 1 status with McLaren's Jenson Button is also an option.
Schumacher is also caught up in the drama, with some believing Hamilton has the power to push the great seven time world champion back into retirement. But the signs are that Schumacher is staying. Germany's Bild newspaper claims the 43-year-old's latest personal sponsor deal - with the Chinese electronic navigation company Erlinyou - is worth a staggering EUR 7.5 million.
Surely the company would not pay such a high price for a driver on the verge of slipping back into the shadows? Asked recently if the new deal indeed indicates he is set to extend his career beyond his 44th birthday, Schumacher answered: "This has nothing to do with my future."
True or not, the F1 world may not know the answer for some time. Britain's Sun newspaper claims Hamilton - like Schumacher - could delay his final decision until October. Asked if 'M' stands for McLaren or Mercedes, Briton Hamilton answered: "M for McLaren at the moment." (GMM)
Hamilton, Schumacher are silly-season 'kings'
- Published on 18 Sep 2012 10:58
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Ferrari pressures FIA over Mercedes diffuser ahead of AustriaFerrari has formally asked the FIA to clarify the legality of Mercedes' latest rear diffuser design, prompting th...
26 Jun 2026 16:22 -
Why McLaren and Red Bull are challenging Gasly's Monaco penalty reversalOscar Piastri has defended McLaren's decision to appeal the reversal of Pierre Gasly's Monaco Grand Prix pena...
26 Jun 2026 15:20 -
Why Montoya believes Russell's contract limbo is affecting his Mercedes formJuan Pablo Montoya believes George Russell's contract uncertainty is quietly undermining his performances at Merc...
26 Jun 2026 14:18 -
When will Alonso make his 2027 call? He just named the dateFernando Alonso has placed a timeline on his Formula 1 future, confirming he will make a final decision on his 2027 p...
26 Jun 2026 13:16 -
Why Liam Lawson is keeping quiet on his Red Bull futureLiam Lawson has dismissed growing speculation about his Formula 1 future, insisting that discussions about a contract...
26 Jun 2026 12:15
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
Driver profile
- Team McLaren
- Points 37
- Podiums 0
- Grand Prix 41
- Country GB
- Date of b. Jan 19 1980 (46)
- Place of b. Frome, Somerset, GB
- Weight 72 kg
- Length 1.82 m
- 67,104 comments on McLaren
23 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Jenson Button
Team profile
- Team name Ferrari
- Base Maranello, Italy
- Kimi Räikkönen 1
- Michael Schumacher 1
- Michael Schumacher 1
- Felipe Massa 2
- Fernando Alonso 3
- Felipe Massa 3
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Felipe Massa 4
- Kimi Räikkönen 4
- Sebastian Vettel 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Felipe Massa 5
- Michael Schumacher 5
- Michael Schumacher 5
- Felipe Massa 6
- Felipe Massa 6
- Kimi Räikkönen 6
- Felipe Massa 6
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Felipe Massa 7
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 14
- Charles Leclerc 16
- Gerhard Berger 28
- Gerhard Berger 28
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 509,644 comments on Ferrari
- 283 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Ferrari
Replies (0)
Login to reply