Originally Posted by Forza Ferrari:
“I think Lewis is going to stay at McLaren and has already committed to them behind the scenes. His management crew are making a mess of things and will drag it out to end of the season or until everyone else is signed.”
Must say, it always amazes me how slippery F1 can really be.
I wouldn't be surprised to find this IS the case and the purpose of creating speculation is simply to make other drivers think twice about their plans for next year and fan the flames of discontent within other teams.
I mean, how many drivers might think they have a shot at Hamiltons seat for next year and, as a result, start to say unkind things about their present team which, in turn, might make their present team less inclined to keep them on?
For example, the normally quiet and courteous di Resta made some pretty scathing, albeit veiled, comments about FI in singapore.
The team are going to hear what he said and, maybe, start to wonder if there isn't some other rookie they could get to pedal their car and di Resta, in turn, will become aware that his position may not be as safe as it was at FI and his confidence could suffer as a result.
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a similar thing going on with Schuey and merc and, particularly, with Massa and Ferrari.
Think about all the drivers who are currently thinking that this year might be the end of their time in the "little league" and that they could be sitting in a red (or silver) car next year.
As you say, they're all drivers who's teams might be a little less open with them and who, in turn, they'll be a little less courteous about, all of which causes psychological problems which manifest as poorer performance on-track this year.
And, of course, if Sauber, Williams, ForceIndia, Torro Rosso etc all assume that one of their drivers might be heading off to Merc' or Ferrari next year they'll be thinking of hiring new drivers for next year.
If they do that then the likes of Perez, Maldonado, Senna, di Resta, Grosjean etc might all find themselves replaced by a newbie next year and without a seat of their own which means that the "big boys" are less likely to have to worry about competition from the smaller teams again next year too.
Never underestimate the mind games at work in F1.