http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news...401093727.shtml

Hamilton switches to Brawn GP!
Championship bid back on track

01/04/09 09:37

“It all makes sense,” stated a willing Hamilton

In a surprise statement issued shortly after midnight on this date, the highly competitive Brawn GP team shocked the F1 community by announcing that Lewis Hamilton is switching to the Brackley-based outfit for the remainder of the 2009 season.

The reigning World Champion will therefore leave the McLaren Mercedes team with immediate effect, and will be wearing the Brawn operation's white overalls at this week-end's Malaysian Grand Prix.

“It was a logical decision to make when considering the situation both our teams are facing at present,” Ross Brawn stated. “Everyone is very confident in regards to our potential in both the drivers' and constructors' championships.”

It seems that Brawn GP's current budget, combined with the lack of performance provided by McLaren's new single-seater, provoked an important brainstorming session within the Mercedes camp which ultimately resulted in pushing the daring plan forward and putting the best chances on their side.

“You have to look at the numbers,” explained Norbert Haug, VP of Mercedes-Benz Motorsports. “By switching Lewis and part of our budget to Brawn – which is already Mercedes-powered – statistically we can manage to win both championships this season.”

“I know there's only been one race so far this year,” Haug admitted, “but it adds up.

”

“This is really a wonderful gesture,” said a smiling Hamilton. “This is the best way for me to help my regular team move forward. With the spotlight on me at Brawn while I win all these races, McLaren don't have to worry about having a World Champion aboard and all that pressure.”

“Really,” he added, “I don't know why I hadn't thought of this myself!”

Ron Dennis, Martin Whitmarsh and Anthony Hamilton issued a joint statement which reads: “We have raised this child to be a World Champion again and again (…) this is a bold step in preserving that goal.”

The situation means that either Jenson Button or Rubens Barrichello will have to move aside to make place for Hamilton. The decision regarding who will sit in the vacated McLaren car has not yet been made, but the news was obviously badly received.

“I think not,” said Button. “You see, I'm spotted to be the next Brit F1 star.”

april fool?

yeah bro.. I think so too... Hehehe..

Mclaren has done so much for Hamilton and trained him from young, let him go after 2 seasons and defending champion? Don't think so.. Morever, I don't see hamilton as kaki belot.. Hehehe..

Brawn has big influence in the F1 from his background. Its a win-win situation for Mclaren as well since BrawnGP using Merc FO 108W engine. This also will help to improvise next year 30mil cap on the budget for all the team. Lets just see how this season ends with Button. Raikonnen and Hamilton as fav's to win in this year championship, all weighing in 4/1 odds.

godspeed to BrawnGP

Ross Brawn was a master strategies in his old days at ferrari... i think he got what it takes to compete in this sport...

but, is really LH going to Brawn GP? i dont think so... (april fool joke ke ni?)

So this worldwide April Fool joke is OK but my LGTC-limited "sell Stinger" joke not OK??? Apa la...

:)

NEXT PAGE


Reached by phone, Barrichello's response was more direct: “I told them I was through with making way for champions!”

It is unknown at present if the changes announced today will affect the Brawn team's expected title sponsorship with the Virgin empire, but it has been reported that a portion of the money previously tagged for F1 will now be used to purchase a fleet of small fishing vessels off the coast of Newfoundland.

Dan B. Fish
© CAPSIS International

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news...1093727_1.shtml

F1 is NOT motor racing.

The event evolves around money, glamor, women and politics!

They can dictate whose gonna win every year...

Go tell the F1 drivers about your conspiracy theory. Especially tell the drivers that crashes. And crash while at 300km/h, risking their lives.

You think you know more than the F1 drivers ah, poknik? :)

no i don't know more than those drivers.

my argument is based on my cousin's experienced who used to work as part of the racing team for one of the F1 team for five years.

F1 drivers knows la what's happening, more so than any F1 team member or armchair guys like us. They're the ones in the driving seat, going at those speeds and crashing.

I cannot imagine F1 being dictated the way Malaysian politics is being dictated. F1 is out there for us to see and watch.

you're right, but one thing for sure Mr. Bernie has to make a lot of money at the end of every season...and probably we can also ask Montoya and Speed who lambasted the sport and vowed not to come back...hehehe

Race is still a race. Best men and best constructors wins.

And history also tells us..
Money: Wheres women, comes money
Glamour; Wheres women, comes glamour
Women; Wheres money, comes women
Politics; Wheres money, comes politics

cheers

Montoya and Speed were sour grapes... they were with a team that never really mattered... i.e. their teams car just wasn't good/fast/reliable enough. They had an EGO more than anything else. They were frustrated by their cars... not the F1 sport. Agree?

F1 is dictated by money, yes, I agree. But that is only due to a team's ability to COME OUT with the money (i.e. capital)... since money will determine who has the ability to have better engines, more money for testing... and testing.... and testing (= testing/R&D is HUGE in F1), more money to hire obviously-better drivers...

It's the same thing in other aspects of life... you make more money (hence better chance at success) by having MORE money than the competition... betul tak?

Agreed.