Hamilton will only sign on his terms
Monday 11th July 2011
Lewis Hamilton is ready to commit himself to McLaren but has warned he is not prepared to suffer potential burn-out.
Hamilton has admitted to frustration with the amount of sponsorship work he has been forced to conduct ahead of the British Grand Prix.
Yet despite all the speculation regarding his future in the past few weeks, it appears as if the 26-year-old will agree a new deal, but only on his terms.
"When I re-sign the contract with McLaren they are going to be shocked at how many days they are not going to be able to make me do. I will be doing a lot less work," Hamilton said.
"I definitely won't be doing the whole period of time before the Silverstone grand prix, that's for sure. I will have at least five days to prepare in the future.
"I have just come from the last race and I have had a day or two off.
"I am certain if you look down the paddock there won't be many other drivers that have done what I have been doing over the last two weeks.
"But what's important is that the sponsors are happy."
With Formula One's August break looming, but only after the back-to-back German and Hungarian Grands Prix later his month, Hamilton naturally "can't wait".
He added: "I am excited for the break. I haven't decided where I am going or what I am doing, But it is nice to know I have that coming up."
Father Anthony, meanwhile, has urged his son to remain at McLaren and show them loyalty after giving him his break.
"My advice right now is for Lewis to stay at McLaren," Hamilton snr told BBC Radio Five Live.
"Don't forget when Lewis was 12 years of age we were scratching around wondering where the next pound was going to come from for getting him to the next level of karting.
"Then (former team principal) Ron Dennis picked up the phone and said he would like to help us out.
"He was like the man from Camelot, telling us that if all went well he would put him in the car, and he did exactly that.
"My view is you see that through right to the very end unless you really come to the end of the relationship, and that is nowhere near the end for Lewis.
"He's in love with them, they're in love with him, they're going through a little bit of turmoil as you do in any relationship.
"But I believe it is going to be a happy marriage if he stays."
Anthony Hamilton admits his son's frustrations are now beginning to ease with a car team principal Martin Whitmarsh admitted is simply not quick enough.
However, he is at a loss to understand what is going on within McLaren.
"It's such a fantastic race team, full of fantastic people, with great drivers, with all that technology, all the money and the big sponsors," added Anthony Hamilton.
"Yet they still can't get a car ready for the British Grand Prix. That stumps me.
"Right now at McLaren something is missing, and they'll find it.
"But as a Formula One driver, Lewis has an opportunity to bring everybody together rather than let them fall apart."
Former world champion Nigel Mansell suggested Hamilton would benefit from showing patience during McLaren's current difficult spell.
"I think he's a great all-round driver," Mansell told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.
"The only thing I'd say is he's showing some frustration because the car isn't as quick obviously as some of his competitors.
"Everyone just has to work hard to catch up with the best team.
"The thing that's most important is that ultimately it's Lewis' decision.
"But if he wants to listen to some educated, sensible advice, McLaren is one of the two or three top teams ever in motor sport.
"They have been with him for an awful long time.
"Sometimes you have to be a little bit patient and it will all come good and he'll reap the rewards.
"They love him at McLaren.
"They've supported him through thick and thin.
"To then swap to another team who might have a lean year in a year's time or two, it can be very difficult."
Credit: ESPN STAR (www.espnstar.com)
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