Over the past week or so there has been a complete sandstorm over controversial comments being made about 2008 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton leaving Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It has caused arguments, questioned loyalties, and damaged reputations. Taking a moment to break down the fact from the fiction, I believe there is a very strong case for Lewis to be in the seat of McLaren’s MP4-28 in 2013.

The Rumor…
If speculation is to be believed, Lewis Hamilton will leave McLaren at the end of this season and is most likely to join Mercedes-Benz replacing 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher.

The Source…
All of the speculation appears to really be fueled by Eddie Jordan, an ex-team boss. The eccentric Irishman is a pundit for the BBC and according to him and “his sources” Hamilton is on the move. Now Eddie Jordan, though connected, is not the most affluent man in the paddock and so his sources are unlikely to be people who 100% know what way the wind is blowing as far as F1 as a business goes. Also when key people involved where questioned their answers were delivered in manner that suggests that Mr Jordan doesn’t really know what he is on about. “Eddie can have his own point of view.” says Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton…
Since he was a boy Lewis Hamilton has had the attention of McLaren and even before he got his first F1 drive had their backing. Lewis has a deep connection with McLaren as not only did they give him his first big chance in the world of top tier motorsport, his late hero Senna made his name at the Woking based team. It is true that Lewis’ management has had meetings with Ferrari and Red Bull, but that is true of 70% of the drivers in the paddock. Every man wants to guarantee a seat for the following season and so it is not surprising that other teams have been contacted. Though Lewis Hamilton will not confirm what is going on next season, he has said that his management are in “advanced talks” with McLaren. The British based team has often been called “Lewis’ team” due to his ingrained links to them from such a young age. Does he want a change of scenery? Or does he just want to guarantee that he will win another world championship? McLaren have the resources to make that happen much sooner than Mercedes.

McLaren…
Though they wont explicitly say it, McLaren love being effectively Great Britain’s national team in Formula One. Based in the UK and flaunting two highly competitive british drivers, the Union Flag is draped all over team merchandise. Whilst the team is in this configuration the whole nation is in support of their title bid and McLaren will not want this to change anytime soon. The team is strong and what they have to do is prove to Lewis that they can put the errors of the past season behind them and get him a well deserved second title. They know it, Lewis knows it, but does Hamilton’s management? Whilst all this uncertainty is flying about the team are not as close knit as what they need to be.

Conclusion…
Based on facts outlined here I think it is a safe bet that Lewis will stay at McLaren for another season at the very least. Will I be eating my words in a few weeks time? Well you can never say never, but from where I’m stood Lewis knows where he belongs.