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According to the latest rumour, British driver Lewis Hamilton would be leaving the McLaren Formula 1 team at the end of the season to join Mercedes AMG. We repeat it: this is only a rumour.
It started when former team owner turned television pundit Eddie Jordan told the British BBC: "I believe Hamilton and Mercedes have already agreed personal terms and a deal could be imminent. Negotiations between Lewis Hamilton and McLaren continue. It would appear Michael [Schumacher] is leaving and Lewis is arriving at Mercedes."
The flamboyant Eddie Jordan added that he knows Hamilton's management - Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment - have had meetings with Mercedes chiefs.
"Bernie Ecclestone made it clear to me live on television on Sunday that Schumacher was leaving, although Schumacher later played it down," said Jordan.
According to French motorsport magazine Auto Hebdo, Schumacher would become the sporting director of the Mercedes F1 team that would be rebadged AMG F1 next season - a way to please the shareholders of Daimler who are unhappy to see the German car manufacturer investing so much money in F1 with so little results.
Hours later Jordan's comments, a McLaren spokesman said the British team has been told by Hamilton's management "that the (Jordan) story is untrue".
Additionally, Mercedes said they would not comment on speculation. And Michael Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm told Bild newspaper: "There is still no news, as nothing is decided."
A spokesperson for XIX Entertainment said "we are in advanced discussions with McLaren about a new deal".
UPDATE
From GMM
Lewis Hamilton put up his defenses in Monza on Thursday when asked about his current situation at McLaren, and a possible future beyond the British team.
When asked about Mercedes and the possible benefits of joining in 2013, 27-year-old Hamilton answered: "I've no idea. I've not really thought about it.
"I drive for McLaren," he added.
Asked if he has anything else to say about the rumours, Hamilton said: "Not really."
Hamilton was also coy when asked about the Twitter affair, in which his teammate Jenson Button admitted to being "disappointed" about the release of secret team telemetry.
"Nothing happened, the head of the PR department asked me to take it off, so I did," Hamilton said. "I've moved on.
"I haven't spoken to Jenson about it and don't plan to."
It started when former team owner turned television pundit Eddie Jordan told the British BBC: "I believe Hamilton and Mercedes have already agreed personal terms and a deal could be imminent. Negotiations between Lewis Hamilton and McLaren continue. It would appear Michael [Schumacher] is leaving and Lewis is arriving at Mercedes."
The flamboyant Eddie Jordan added that he knows Hamilton's management - Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment - have had meetings with Mercedes chiefs.
"Bernie Ecclestone made it clear to me live on television on Sunday that Schumacher was leaving, although Schumacher later played it down," said Jordan.
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| Lewis Hamilton and Martin Whitmarsh, will they find an agreement? (Photo: WRi2) |
According to French motorsport magazine Auto Hebdo, Schumacher would become the sporting director of the Mercedes F1 team that would be rebadged AMG F1 next season - a way to please the shareholders of Daimler who are unhappy to see the German car manufacturer investing so much money in F1 with so little results.
Hours later Jordan's comments, a McLaren spokesman said the British team has been told by Hamilton's management "that the (Jordan) story is untrue".
Additionally, Mercedes said they would not comment on speculation. And Michael Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm told Bild newspaper: "There is still no news, as nothing is decided."
A spokesperson for XIX Entertainment said "we are in advanced discussions with McLaren about a new deal".
UPDATE
From GMM
Lewis Hamilton put up his defenses in Monza on Thursday when asked about his current situation at McLaren, and a possible future beyond the British team.
When asked about Mercedes and the possible benefits of joining in 2013, 27-year-old Hamilton answered: "I've no idea. I've not really thought about it.
"I drive for McLaren," he added.
Asked if he has anything else to say about the rumours, Hamilton said: "Not really."
Hamilton was also coy when asked about the Twitter affair, in which his teammate Jenson Button admitted to being "disappointed" about the release of secret team telemetry.
"Nothing happened, the head of the PR department asked me to take it off, so I did," Hamilton said. "I've moved on.
"I haven't spoken to Jenson about it and don't plan to."