McLaren Take A £36 Million Gamble On Lewis Hamilton
As news begins to filter through the sport that Lewis Hamilton has signed a £36 million contract which will see him remain with the McLaren team until 2012, there are many who think this is one of the largest gambles McLaren have ever taken. There are some in the sport who feel that Hamilton was in the right place at the right time last year (even though he was just piped at the post) and he failed to deliver when the pressure began to mount. So is it really a gamble?
While a contract of this size in any sport is a major gamble, McLaren chairman Ron Dennis is a man who does his own thing, something which has brought him great success in and outside of the sport. He is a man who has a gut feeling for situations, stars and the potential of his team and team members. At the height of team problems last year it was evident that he thought Hamilton was the man for the future as he seemed to side with his “rookie” over the then reigning world champion Fernando Alonso.
The interesting thing about the Lewis Hamilton story is the fact that he did do so well in his first year, and he did take the championship to the wire. Many people are judging the flying machine as someone who has been on the scene for years when, as he admits himself, he is still very much learning the sport. Those with an in depth knowledge of the sport will know that Hamilton has been mentioned at the top table for many years, ever since he emerged in junior racing, and he has been ear marked by Ron Dennis for some time.
The new season starts on March 16th with the traditional Australian race to kick off what promises to be a very interesting and very competitive year!