Cart before the horse at McLaren?

[Bill Boddy]

That tag has applied to many cars from day 1 (or earlier). It has applied to just about every car that Newey has designed, they are quick out of the box, then he develops the reliability. Currently McLaren have one of the top two cars on the grid, it still seems an odd time to leave.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

A fast car is no reason to stay if your team can't get you to the finish line or give you all of the support that you need to go and win a championship. That is Hamilton's only goal and McLaren have failed to deliver him an environment in which he can achieve that. Take a punt on staying or take a punt on leaving? If he stays, he knows what he is getting which has been consistently less than he desires. I'd be off too.

To bring things back on topic but follow on from that point, Mercedes and Hamilton have been very clear that the main thing that swung the decision to switch teams was Brawn's promise to make Lewis more integral within the team and the car development process. This on Hamilton's own request. I think that is fairly indicative that this is something that he doesn't have the benefit of at McLaren.

 

[teabagyokel]

Personally I'd take quick and unreliable over slow and unreliable.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Well, of course. but that's not why he's leaving and none of us can predict the future. Who is to say that the Mercedes won't be class of the field in 2014?

 

[F1Yorkshire]

New regs for 2014, better to be with the team before that season starts so you can help with the development of the car.