Haug denies Lewis to replace Schumi

[Dare]

I hope MS resigns but if he doesn't I'd think Mercedes
might give Sutil a shot at the seat



Norbert Haug has denied that Mercedes are lining up Lewis Hamilton to replace Michael Schumacher should the latter not re-sign.

Schumacher's contract with Mercedes expires at the end of this season, although reports have claimed that the Daimler hierarchy are keen to secure his services for another year or two.

However, other reports coming in from Germany say that should Schumacher opted not to extend his stay, Mercedes want Hamilton as his replacement as the Brit is out of contract with McLaren at the end of this year.

Haug, though, has rubbished the stories.

"This is solely speculation," the Mercedes motorsport boss told Sport1 when asked about the Hamilton rumours.

"There are no driver negotiations with us, and, as we have said, we will speak with Michael at the appropriate time.

"Now our focus is solely on the start of the season."

[Jericoke]

With the big names at big teams up for contract renewals, it's going to be the best silly season in years.  Will we even recognise next year's grid?

(I doubt there will be much in the way of musical chairs, all the drivers/teams except for RBR seem like they have unfinished business before they move on)

[Scott]

Dare, I think you mean 're-signs' 

[lkjohnson1950]

If Lewis wants another WDC, he would be an idiot to sign with Mercedes unless they take a giant step forward this year. If RB is done with Webber, he might go there, but at the moment Macca and RB look like the only teams who can build a contender. Ferrari's apparent slide backwards only confirms for me that the dominance of the MS years was based on his willingness to test 24/7/365 at Fiorano, the world's finest testing facility.