Lewis Hamilton hints at quitting McLaren

Is Lewis Hamilton, the world champion F1 driver, planning on abandoning McLaren, the team for whom he has driven since he was a 13-year-old? Hamilton, who begins his campaign to retain his world title in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, is said to have doubts about how competitive the new McLaren car is and there are fears that he might sign up with Ferrari where he would more than double his salary.

“I haven’t had offers from other teams and I am not talking to anyone,” he said. However, he added: “But I would listen to an offer if someone asked. It would be a compliment and it would be silly if I did not.”

Hamilton, the first Briton to take the F1 title for 12 years, conceded his car is not at its best after pre-season testing, with he and his teammate Heikki Kovalainen significantly off the pace in testing earlier this month.

"I've driven for McLaren for two years and in both those seasons the team have developed a fantastic car," he said. “This year's car is a little behind the rest in terms of development but I'm absolutely confident we will get stronger and grow as the year progresses."

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