More press of LH contract issues - https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-hamilton-negotiations-snag/
Might be tough signing a multi-year deal when MB might quit after this year. Car companies have trouble digesting a $65 million salary when they need to layoff workers. https://jalopnik.com/mercedes-in-talks-to-exit-formula-one-after-this-season-1841335988
The question is then where does this budget come from within the company? R&D? Publicity and advertising? Also, how much of the team budget comes from sponsorship? How much of Lew's salary comes from Hilfiger, IWC, Petronas, etc.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/148069/hamilton-mercedes-dismiss-f1-future-rumours Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have dismissed rumours over contract talks and the manufacturer's future in Formula 1. A number of reports since the start of the year have suggested Mercedes' driver line-up and future may not be secure. Stories in recent days have claimed that talks between Hamilton and Mercedes over a new contract had stalled over pay, with the inference being that it could prompt him to consider a Ferrari switch for 2021. However, posting on Instagram, Hamilton rubbished talk of a clash over contracts, and said discussions had not even started with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. "FYI Toto and I have not even spoken about contract yet," he said. "Nothing is being negotiated currently, papers making up stories." Those reports come amid ongoing rumours about Mercedes' own long-term future in F1, which is not guaranteed until it signs a new Concorde Agreement. A report in Autocar this week said Mercedes was poised to discuss a withdrawal from F1 at the next board meeting of Daimler, which it suggested would take place on February 12. However, it is understood that no meeting has been scheduled for that date. Daimler chief executive Ola Kaellenius also shot down any suggestion that the company was getting ready to withdraw.
Alonso could have won multiple titles if he was in Ham's car instead of a dud Ferrari during those years, as could have Seb. Perhaps not as many, but the advantage was plain as day.....
I'm guessing you would also say the same if other drivers was in Senna's car? Or the same for Montoya if he was in Schumi's Ferrari? Was Mclaren/Ferrari advantage plain as day?
Ferrari's last multiple world champion arrived at a team in shambles, and brought it forward to many years of successive glory. If Alonso was as good as he thinks he was, he could have done similarly.
FA is not perfect. But attained more from the car than should have been possible. 2 titles were potential in a not at all good car. He is exceptional unlike Vettel........
Absolutely. MSC was not afraid of an authentic challenge. Ferrari was a mess. In terms of sheer talent to partner with there was only one driver close to Michael, but Mika was a devout McLaren man and unavailable to Ferrari.
By that time in F1 there is not much for a driver to develop. We should admit this. Feedback yes but limited testing has ended this input to a large degree in my opinion. FA drove the car and lost in Yas with the inability to pass a slower car. That title was his in a less than perfect car. No one is doing that now at all. 80-90% car is the norm as stated by some engineers.
Limited testing was better than zero testing as is now the case.. F1 is worse as a result of zero in-season testing. A shocking and unique state of affairs in sport.
Expenditure increased from £309.7m to £311.4m, resulting in a post tax profit of £13.3m. Income and expenditure had previously made a significant jump from 2016 to 2017, with the latter figures reflecting the R&D costs associated with the major F1 rules changes introduced that season. The fact that its expenditure essentially stayed the same in 2018 suggests that Mercedes opted to maintain that level of investment in a period of relatively stable rules. However there is no outward sign yet of the team addressing the cost cap that is coming in 2021, and which will force the big three teams to trim spending and inevitably head counts. Image Unavailable, Please Login Over the past three seasons average staff numbers have risen from 849 in 2016 to 912 in 2017 and to 968 in 2018, with 38 added last year in design, manufacturing and engineering, and 19 in administration. That contributed to the 2018 wage bill increasing by £6.5m from £87.2m to £93.7m. The marketing revenue contribution of Daimler AG to the team's budget is listed as £64.3m, around £4m more than the previous year. However £25.3m is returned by the team - reflecting the leasing cost of the power units supplied by sister company HPP. That leaves a net Daimler contribution of less than £40m. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/146346/mercedes-reveals-cost-of-2018-f1-title-win
Expenditure increased from £309.7m to £311.4m, resulting in a post tax profit of £13.3m. Income and expenditure had previously made a significant jump from 2016 to 2017, with the latter figures reflecting the R&D costs associated with the major F1 rules changes introduced that season. The fact that its expenditure essentially stayed the same in 2018 suggests that Mercedes opted to maintain that level of investment in a period of relatively stable rules. However there is no outward sign yet of the team addressing the cost cap that is coming in 2021, and which will force the big three teams to trim spending and inevitably head counts. Image Unavailable, Please Login Over the past three seasons average staff numbers have risen from 849 in 2016 to 912 in 2017 and to 968 in 2018, with 38 added last year in design, manufacturing and engineering, and 19 in administration. That contributed to the 2018 wage bill increasing by £6.5m from £87.2m to £93.7m. The marketing revenue contribution of Daimler AG to the team's budget is listed as £64.3m, around £4m more than the previous year. However £25.3m is returned by the team - reflecting the leasing cost of the power units supplied by sister company HPP. That leaves a net Daimler contribution of less than £40m.