Whitmarsh wants to keep Hamilton at McLaren

After winter tests that fell well below McLaren’s expectations, and with Red Bull once again emerging as the formidable force of the 2011 season, discussions about Lewis Hamilton’s future and his loyalty to Woking were becoming increasingly public. After repeatedly expressing his loyalty to the team that has been with him since his debut in Formula One, the 2008 world champion acknowledged in Shanghai that loyalty has its limits: “I’ve always loved racing for McLaren and would like to continue, but at the end of the season, you also have to assess where you stand and what has happened.”

But the British driver had quickly rushed to close the barely opened door to reassure his team with a new declaration of allegiance: « There is no doubt about my loyalty to the team. This has been my team since I was six years old. […] I want to try to help them just as much as to become one of the most successful drivers myself. I want them to be there to help me with that. »

On the Woking side, Martin Whitmarsh doesn’t seem too concerned about the various speculations regarding the future of the 2008 world champion: Lewis has a long career ahead of him and I believe he is smart enough to realize that the environment he has [at McLaren] is good for him. He has clearly let me know that he wants to stay with the team and I have clearly let him know that I want him to stay, confides the McLaren Team Principal to the Daily Mail.

« Of course, at some point, we need a contractual agreement that reflects this. But I don’t think, despite media interest, that any of us feel we should sign this contract in three or six months. I trust him, and I think he trusts me. »

Despite everything the media across the Channel claimed last week, the McLaren team has already opened negotiations to extend the contracts of its two world champions, which will expire at the end of the 2012 season. Thus, the Times claims that Woking would like to renew its duo for an additional five years – until 2017 – and would be willing to shell out the hefty sum of 165 million dollars to do so.

Martin Whitmarsh, however, believes that McLaren has an asset that few of its rivals can claim: the guarantee of still being there in ten years. « We are focused on winning the title this year, next year, in five and ten years: it’s our raison d’être as a racing team. Ferrari can say the same with some credibility, but many other teams sell consumer goods, cars, or energy drinks. I’m not criticizing them, but can they say they’re in Formula One for the long term? »

Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton made his 73rd Formula One start at Sepang with McLaren, thus symbolically surpassing Jim Clark, who was forever loyal to Lotus throughout his career. However, the Briton will need to stay with McLaren until his last Grand Prix to validate this new record of absolute loyalty to the same team, which does not seem as certain as it was a few months ago.