MOTOR SPORT SINGAPORE GP:McLAREN HAVE finally admitted that they have offered Lewis Hamilton less money as they attempt to fight off a bid by Mercedes to sign the driver.
According to reports last week, Hamilton has been offered just two-thirds of his current €18.75 million-a-year deal by McLaren, while Mercedes are believed to have offered more than €25 million. Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren’s team principal, admitted last night: “I am sure he will want more money and I am sure we will want to pay him less. That is how business normally works.”
Whitmarsh also seemed to suggest the signing of Hamilton was not one of McLaren’s top priorities, saying: “It seems a long time because of the speculation that people have made but when you sit down and seriously put your mind to entering into a new contract it doesn’t take too long. I think it is a question of priorities and other things we have been doing.”
Hamilton’s immediate future has once again dominated the agenda in Singapore before tomorrow’s race, with the driver apparently undecided over whether he should leave the team that has guided him for more than half his life. A decision is expected in the next fortnight.
Meanwhile, Jenson Button has spoken up for the eye-catching abilities of Sergio Perez, one of Hamilton’s potential replacements.
Perez says he is ready to drive for a leading team and Button, who has already championed the cause of another potential team-mate, Paul Di Resta, spoke up for Perez when he said: “I think he is a quick learner. A guy who can look after his tyres as well as he does is not stupid. He learns well. I don’t know what he is like setting up a car but he can’t be bad if he’s doing as well as he is.”
Button is not reticent about speculating over who may replace Hamilton. At one point he appeared to nominate Di Resta’s Force India team-mate, Nico Hulkenberg. “I would like as my team-mate the Incredible Hulk, he’s amazing!” he said, but he was referring to the comic character.
He added: “I just love the speculation when it is not about me. I had so much of it in my career, especially back in 2004-05.”
Button has said that he has not often been friendly with his co-driver and he commented: “It is not important if you are friendly with them. You want someone who is quick and experienced.”
Sebastian Vettel topped both practice sessions yesterday after heavy rain had fallen on the Marina Bay street circuit. For a double world champion and the man who won here last time out it is remarkable how Vettel has been under the radar for most of this week, as attention has focused on the current leader, Fernando Alonso, and Hamilton.
Guardian Service
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