Hamilton remains in contention for a second title with McLaren

After weeks of media frenzy, Lewis Hamilton’s fate for 2013 has finally been sealed. Indeed, after McLaren announced the recruitment of Sergio Pérez to replace the Briton, Mercedes wasted no time in confirming the arrival of the 2008 world champion in their ranks.

However, by 2013, Lewis Hamilton still has six Grand Prix to race for McLaren and a potential second driver’s title to chase. If, after his withdrawal in Singapore, the Stevenage native is currently 52 points behind the championship leader, Fernando Alonso, this gap does not yet seem insurmountable. The question remains whether McLaren will do everything possible for the Briton to defend his chances, at the risk of seeing him make a swift exit to Mercedes with the No. 1 in his luggage.

For the record, in 2006, Fernando Alonso was crowned Formula One world champion with Renault even though his move to McLaren for 2007 had been announced as early as December 2005. However, to preempt any potential concerns that will inevitably arise in the paddock, the team based in Woking assures in a statement that it is absolutely committed to fighting for the 2012 drivers’ and constructors’ titles and to providing this opportunity to both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

Thus, despite the departure of the prodigal son from McLaren towards new horizons, Martin Whitmarsh, director of the English team, considers it appropriate to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to Lewis: He has written a huge chapter of his life and career with us and he has been, and will always be, a member of an exclusive circle, that of McLaren World Champions. It goes without saying that we wish him the best for the future just as it is evident that we hope and believe that Sergio, too, will soon become a member of this exclusive circle.