Did Lewis already threaten to quit??

[Scott]

So Sky seems to have built this story from a non-denial, but honestly I was a bit surprised that Merc didn't at least publicly spank Rosberg in the aftermath.  That said, I think Rosberg has been almost as much of a thorn with the team this year as Hamilton has, questioning calls and choosing his own strategy, and those are only the times we've heard the conversations broadcast.

Unless they are/were a Williams 'employee', historically not many drivers have been very manageable, so why Toto is making all this bluster about having to manage either one of his is a bit of a joke.  They are race drivers, paid to get in the car and go fast.  They are selfish and don't respond well to suggestions.  It's practically a mental illness.  Just leave it alone Toto, smile and say 'Vasn't dat a vonderfull race'.  The rest is just wind through your lips.

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24181/10678092/did-lewis-hamilton-threaten-to-quit-mercedes-after-spanish-gp-crash

[Jericoke]

I think that Lewis has been a good champion, bringing a 'large personality' to F1.  I think he is a people person and understands he has a duty to fans to put on a show.

That being said, I don't know that he's the sort of champion who 'Transcends' the sport.  In the USA drivers like Mario Andretti, Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon have transcended the sport:  people who aren't a fan of racing to know those names.

With all respect to F1 drivers, I don't know that any of the champions in the post Senna era have achieved anything close to that.  Maybe I'm wrong, F1 isn't a big deal in Canada outside of Quebec, so maybe everyone in Europe knows the difference between Lewis Hamilton and Alexander Hamilton, but it's certainly not the case where I live.

My point is:  Hamilton needs F1 more than F1 needs Hamilton.  If Mercedes' brand is being a team player, they'll find someone who fits the brand.

[Scott]

I don't think they will.  The last truly corporate driver in my opinion was Schumacher.  He kept everything in the back room and never questioned or challenged the team publicly.  It will be very difficult to find someone as dedicated to his fans, the team and the sport as Schumacher was.  Not saying that's necessarily good, because one thing Schumacher lacked IMO was character and charm.

[cosworth151]

I cut drivers some slack for what they say during or right after a race. It's hard to stay calm when the red mist is up & your blood is about 50% adrenaline. I wouldn't put much weight in anything he might have said right after his team mate took him out of a Grand Prix.

Damon Hill doesn't think Lewis is quiting:

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/f1-champion-damon-hill-says-lewis-hamilton-not-quitting-mercedes

[Steve A.]

I think Hamilton is quite records driven,  as no doubt are a lot of drivers,  and he will want more.  To equal or beat Schumacher,  he is in the best place at the moment to do so,  so I can't see him going anywhere.

[Andy B]

Who said "show me a driver who excepts loosing and I'll show you a looser"! Lewis did everything he could within the rules and I thought it was done with an enormous amount of skill, could you say that when Senna took Prost out? Or Schumacher with Damon and Villeneuve which were blatant and as for the Ferrari of Vettel catching Lewis after a pass on Nico who were they kidding.
Lewis takes F1 to the USA and nobody else does that and if they were to sack him I'm sure he'll get snapped up although I'm not sure where.

[Jericoke]

I don't think they will.  The last truly corporate driver in my opinion was Schumacher.  He kept everything in the back room and never questioned or challenged the team publicly.  It will be very difficult to find someone as dedicated to his fans, the team and the sport as Schumacher was.  Not saying that's necessarily good, because one thing Schumacher lacked IMO was character and charm.

Schumacher certainly brought a lot of interest in F1 to Germany, and that's clearly waned since he's left, despite a massive German presence in the sport.  We can argue about his character and charm, but he clearly meant more to his countrymen than Vettel, Rosberg or the Mercedes brand.

I suppose each nationality has their own idea of who makes an intriguing F1 driver.

[lkjohnson1950]

I think that Schumacher driving for Ferrari added that extra bit that interested German fans. Despite Merc dominating F1 nearly every time they've entered, Ferrari remains the mystical presence in F1.

[Jericoke]

I think that Schumacher driving for Ferrari added that extra bit that interested German fans. Despite Merc dominating F1 nearly every time they've entered, Ferrari remains the mystical presence in F1.

I won't disagree with that, but Vettel is racing for Ferrari now, and Germans don't seem to care

[lkjohnson1950]

They're not winning and, as you said, Michael had personality. Vettel has flashes but doesn't maintain the high level.

[Warmwater]

Lewis will stay where he is until another team starts beating Mercedes

[Jericoke]

Lewis will stay where he is until another team starts beating Mercedes

The way he jumped ship at McLaren at the exact right time... I wouldn't be surprised if he pulls the same trick again 

[Andy B]

Lewis will stay where he is until another team starts beating Mercedes

The way he jumped ship at McLaren at the exact right time... I wouldn't be surprised if he pulls the same trick again 

If my memory serves me well he jumped ship while McLaren were, and still are, in the doldrums and everyone at the time asked what did he think he was doing! History has proven it to be the right choice which has not always been the case as proven with Vettel to Ferrari and Alonso back to McLaren but now we have the regulation changes and the balance of power could change!