McLaren: No plan B if Lewis Hamilton decides to leave

McLaren will be left high and dry should Lewis Hamilton decide to quit the team at the end of the season, and hence has decided to accelerate the contract renewal process in the next few days to ensure his retention in the team.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has rubbished rumours that Hamilton was contemplating a deal with Mercedes. Addressing the reporters after the 2008 champion won the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, Whitmarsh said, “I haven’t given Plan B any thought. We want Lewis to stay and we want him to stay if he wants to stay.”

Proving why he is considered as one of the most wanted guys of Formula One on Sunday, it is no wonder that 27-year-old Hamilton seems to be wanting more money and more control over his brand. The Sunday’s win was McLaren’s third win in a row from pole position, which no other team could achieve so far, on the track known to be Ferrari’s home circuit.

Hamilton’s victory for McLaren came after a record 62nd front row sweep in qualifiers. McLaren stands at 29 points with seven races remaining. Hamilton is second in the drivers’ title race with a difference of 37 points between him and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

“I’m not really focusing on next year, I want to focus on this year. This is one race at a time and I’m trying to take this team to the top,” Hamilton said on Sunday, applying brakes on all speculations, adding, “I’m trying to help them as they are trying to help me to win both championships. It is an incredible team and I have a great relationship with them so I’m really looking forward to the future.”

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Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton looks for McLaren revival

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