Hamilton Issues F1 Quit Threat

Lewis Hamilton has joined the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) in issuing a quit threat for the upcoming season. The reigning world champion revealed that his contract with McLaren Mercedes is a long-term one and that, should the German manufacturer decide to leave the sport and form a breakaway series, he'd have no problem following his team.

The British driver also pointed out that the same situation goes for the other drivers currently under contract with the 8 teams forming the FOTA – except for the ones driving for Williams and Force India. As far as he's concerned, the drivers' stand is the same with the FOTA's, as the “breakaway” teams are the ones that pay them to drive.

“I am under contract at my team and will go wherever they go. That's the way it is. That applies for all drivers,” insisted Hamilton in an interview with Deutsche Presse Agentur.

Hamilton is not the only driver revealing his affection towards the Formula One teams, as most of the 2009 competitors – and important figures of the Grand Prix Drivers Association – have so far warned the FIA that they will follow their teams wherever they choose to go.

Not far from last month, both Ferrari drivers – world champion Kimi Raikkonen and 2008 runner-up Felipe Massa – stated that their F1 commitments rest only with Ferrari and they have no intention of continuing in the sport unless as drivers of the prancing horse.

“All the FOTA drivers are with FOTA in the future,” also insisted GPDA representative and Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber.

Two time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso also stated his outrage when speaking about the potential budget cap imposed by the FIA for 2010, saying he'd rather compete in any other racing category than continue to be part of a “GP3 series”.