From Worldcarfans.com:

The rich getting richer? Perhaps, but Lewis Hamilton will have to earn his 4 million dollar reward in 2008.

The young superstar Formula One driver who finished equal second in last years 2007 championship has been given an extra incentive by McLaren head, Ron Dennis.

If Hamilton can bring home the driver’s and constructor’s championships in 2008 for McLaren, Ron Dennis will arrange for one ultra-rare McLaren F1 LM to be gifted the young British driver.

Apparently Lewis first spotted the LM in McLaren’s F1 factory some 10 years ago, which at the time he would have only been 13. He was quoted saying; "When I first went to McLaren it was there and I fell in love with it".

Painted in papaya orange in honour of the founder, Bruce McLaren, the McLaren F1 LM is only one of five in existence. Lightened by some 80 kg over the standard F1 and rumoured to produce approximately 680hp from its derestricted 6.1L BMW sourced V12 engine the LM can accelerate to 60mph in just 2.9 seconds and go on to a top speed well over 200mph.

If a McLaren race driver’s incentive is to win a McLaren at the end of the season, is a Red Bull driver’s incentive a can of Red Bull? Just a thought.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/martinsalkow/9080327_012_1M.jpg

That's incentive if IV ever seen it!

Read this in the paper yesterday, I heard the car was part of Rons' collection, so he will hardly have to 'arrange' anything?!

If he doesn't win, he will most likely still get the car. I hope he does though, because that is one sweet reward!

He put my home town on the map, maybe they will look for other F1 Drivers from Stevenage?

Chris

Read this in the paper yesterday, I heard the car was part of Rons' collection, so he will hardly have to 'arrange' anything?!

If he doesn't win, he will most likely still get the car. I hope he does though, because that is one sweet reward!

He put my home town on the map, maybe they will look for other F1 Drivers from Stevenage?

Chris
Stevenage? Hmmm that's the first I've heard of it :D

I really hope Kovi (Hamilton's team mate) wins the championship now - that'll really piss wonder kid and RonDennise of...and if he didn't give it to Kovi, imagine the backlash...
...And he wouldn't be able to give one to Hammy any time after (the other 4 are privately owned by people who would very much like to keep them).

IMO this makes Dennise look like even more of a r3tard - why isn't he making this offer to anyone else except wonder-kid? Surely Mika or Raikonnen would be more deserving of something like that...

Now Hamilton has to win this F1 season! :D any news on Hamilton's reaction towards this?

Lucky, that's such a beautiful car. :D

This is my favorite supercar of all time, I love this orange color too. The LM looks amazing with the aggressive front splitter and rear wing. To bad they only made 5 of them :(

If Heikki wins it what will he get? If that's not favoritism, I don't know what is...

^ Exactly. And TBR, it would be so great if Kovi did win the championship, but sadly it doesn't look to likely at the moment. Maybe next year though, when he's had some more experience in the team and the car.

Also, I heard about this a while ago, I think this was their deal last year as well, but luckily he didn't win!

1) Lewis is the premier driver. Similar situation to giving Schumacher incentives, over Barichello.

2) It's problably promised to both drivers, since when was the Sun a reliable source of knowledge ? Lewis signed a £70 million deal with Mclaren, and I read £80 in the sun the other day. I enjoy reading it, but just don't believe much of what it says lol.

I like the way Cheeky said if he won the title what would he get ? lol, so the money, dame, increased sponsors, still racing with Mclaren, that clearly isn't enough......:p

1) Lewis is the premier driver. Similar situation to giving Schumacher incentives, over Barichello.


"Wonder bread" is not the premier driver, McLaren does not go with that situation it mainly a Ferrari, Renault thing. "Wonder Bread" is just Ron Dennis' *****. This is the type of crap which makes me hate that guy so much, why the hell does he get so much attention and so much incentives, over his teammates, and all I've seen so far is him throw a championship. He is pretty much the only driver that walks into F1 and straight to one of the top two teams, never really had to struggle much.

By the way the "Wonder Bread" will NOT win the 2008 championship. Remember my words he just does not have it.

1) Lewis is the premier driver. Similar situation to giving Schumacher incentives, over Barichello.

2) It's problably promised to both drivers, since when was the Sun a reliable source of knowledge ? Lewis signed a £70 million deal with Mclaren, and I read £80 in the sun the other day. I enjoy reading it, but just don't believe much of what it says lol.

I like the way Cheeky said if he won the title what would he get ? lol, so the money, dame, increased sponsors, still racing with Mclaren, that clearly isn't enough......:p

No, not if his team 'mate' will be receiving a £2 million super car....

"Wonder bread" is not the premier driver, McLaren does not go with that situation it mainly a Ferrari, Renault thing. "Wonder Bread" is just Ron Dennis' *****. This is the type of crap which makes me hate that guy so much, why the hell does he get so much attention and so much incentives, over his teammates, and all I've seen so far is him throw a championship. He is pretty much the only driver that walks into F1 and straight to one of the top two teams, never really had to struggle much.

By the way the "Wonder Bread" will NOT win the 2008 championship. Remember my words he just does not have it.

Mclaren and Ferrari both go with the "equal" driver status thing. That doesn't mean that Lewis isn't still the preiemr driver, and so to is raikkonen. They are the premier drivers because they have proven so, by either spending the most time at the team, or being the better driver, especially so in Raikkonen's case.

And, I reckon he WILL win the 2008 season, and he most certainly does have it.

No, not if his team 'mate' will be receiving a £2 million super car....

The incentive is that if Lewis wins 2 world championships, Ron will give him his car. He won't get it if Heikki wins. Don't be so biased.

NOT COOL.
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As much as the F1 LM is EPIC, I don't like the favoritism that Ron Dennis has for Lewis Hamilton. I can't stand the fact that Hamilton can walk into F1, do well one season, and then act as though he's the best in the sport. He's in his SECOND YEAR!!!!! He doesn't have the experience, and he doesn't seem to work very well in a team. I don't care about how "fast" he is, or how he did last season. He's not an experienced driver, and he should get THE SAME treatment as Heikki, Nico, or any of the other "new drivers."
It just makes me sick how they treat all of the new drivers as though they're PHENOMENAL...What about drivers like Sato...huh? He's been in the sport a LONG TIME, and while he may not have many great results, it's because nobody has given him the chance (opportunity more-so) to drive a good, fast, reliable car. When he was driving for BAR Honda a couple of years ago, they were going down the drain in terms of performance and reliability. Then he stayed with Honda and ended up with Super Aguri, a bad team that has had but ONE good moment in its two year existence [Montreal '07]. Why didn't Renault consider him as an option for a driver?? Why not choose a man that has Sato's experience, that can work well in a team dynamic??? hmm???

The F1 LM is one of my all time favorite car.

NOT COOL.
[-X

As much as the F1 LM is EPIC, I don't like the favoritism that Ron Dennis has for Lewis Hamilton. I can't stand the fact that Hamilton can walk into F1, do well one season, and then act as though he's the best in the sport. He's in his SECOND YEAR!!!!! He doesn't have the experience, and he doesn't seem to work very well in a team. I don't care about how "fast" he is, or how he did last season. He's not an experienced driver, and he should get THE SAME treatment as Heikki, Nico, or any of the other "new drivers."
It just makes me sick how they treat all of the new drivers as though they're PHENOMENAL...What about drivers like Sato...huh? He's been in the sport a LONG TIME, and while he may not have many great results, it's because nobody has given him the chance (opportunity more-so) to drive a good, fast, reliable car. When he was driving for BAR Honda a couple of years ago, they were going down the drain in terms of performance and reliability. Then he stayed with Honda and ended up with Super Aguri, a bad team that has had but ONE good moment in its two year existence [Montreal '07]. Why didn't Renault consider him as an option for a driver?? Why not choose a man that has Sato's experience, that can work well in a team dynamic??? hmm???
As much as I get your point about treating drivers equally, I can't agree with the Sato bit.

From memory, he was voted worst driver in some poll in 2006. You seem him at Suzuka? He tries to drive through the other cars, not around them...

But on the whole, yeah, I see where you're coming from - Coulthard, Webber, Button, etc all deserve a good car underneath them.

What about drivers like Sato...huh? He's been in the sport a LONG TIME, and while he may not have many great results, it's because nobody has given him the chance (opportunity more-so) to drive a good, fast, reliable car. When he was driving for BAR Honda a couple of years ago, they were going down the drain in terms of performance and reliability. Then he stayed with Honda and ended up with Super Aguri, a bad team that has had but ONE good moment in its two year existence [Montreal '07].

What about 2004 when BAR Honda were the second best team behind the infamous Ferrari F2004? Button racked up 84 points to Sato's 34. Yes it was 4 years ago, but he was outclassed by Button in the same car.

I do like Sato, and I think how quick he is considering his comparatively short racing career is great, but he's not super quick, and can be aggressive in his driving style at times.

As much as I get your point about treating drivers equally, I can't agree with the Sato bit.

From memory, he was voted worst driver in some poll in 2006. You seem him at Suzuka? He tries to drive through the other cars, not around them...

But on the whole, yeah, I see where you're coming from - Coulthard, Webber, Button, etc all deserve a good car underneath them.

Coulthard needs a car that will not disintegrate when it makes contact with another (referring to the AUS race this year). I don't know what to say about Webber he just doesn't seem to have lady luck on his side when he needs it. Button definitely needs a reliable car that he can take to the podium consistently and works well in the wet (where Button seems to shine).

Coulthard needs a car that will not disintegrate when it makes contact with another (referring to the AUS race this year).

That's what Formula 1 cars do. The suspension systems in the cars are very very fragile, so hit them only slightly and they are wrecked. It's all about trying to keep the car low weight and designing the suspension for a limited and specific purpose. Meaning, they are primarily designed to be most effective at going over bumps and handling undulations in the road surface, and not really for when someone plows into them.

Also, as aerodynamic efficiency grows in importance in the engine-freeze era, the suspension needs to be more streamlined and less bulky.

I think the reason Massa got out of the incident better as he hit is rear wheel, and I believe the rear suspension is stronger than the front, it having to deal with the fact that the rear wheels are the driving wheels.

That's what Formula 1 cars do. The suspension systems in the cars are very very fragile, so hit them only slightly and they are wrecked. It's all about trying to keep the car low weight and designing the suspension for a limited and specific purpose. Meaning, they are primarily designed to be most effective at going over bumps and handling undulations in the road surface, and not really for when someone plows into them.

Also, as aerodynamic efficiency grows in importance in the engine-freeze era, the suspension needs to be more streamlined and less bulky.

I think the reason Massa got out of the incident better as he hit is rear wheel, and I believe the rear suspension is stronger than the front, it having to deal with the fact that the rear wheels are the driving wheels.

Timbit I am aware that the CF monocoque of Formula 1 cars are designed to disperse energy of an impact away from the driver. It just seemed like an excessive amount of damage was done to his car. Just look at what happened at the last race I believe Webber pitted and the rear light fell off. Thats not supposed to happen like that.

Timbit I am aware that the CF monocoque of Formula 1 cars are designed to disperse energy of an impact away from the driver. It just seemed like an excessive amount of damage was done to his car. Just look at what happened at the last race I believe Webber pitted and the rear light fell off. Thats not supposed to happen like that.

I doubt any car on the field would have come off an accident with suspension in tact if in Coulthard's situation, though the structural integrity of the Red Bulls is questionable, I agree.

Mclaren and Ferrari both go with the "equal" driver status thing. That doesn't mean that Lewis isn't still the preiemr driver, and so to is raikkonen. They are the premier drivers because they have proven so, by either spending the most time at the team, or being the better driver, especially so in Raikkonen's case.

And, I reckon he WILL win the 2008 season, and he most certainly does have it.



The incentive is that if Lewis wins 2 world championships, Ron will give him his car. He won't get it if Heikki wins. Don't be so biased.

The point is that Heikki won't get it if he wins....

The F1 LM is one of my all time favorite car.
what he said^

now i don't know much about f1 racing, but the way i see it, the offer should be to each driver on the team, not only their star pupil.

and in other news, i have decided to dedicate the rest of my life to becoming an f1 driver with mclaren to get that car.

Guys maybe you should look at it this way. Rather than favouring, we should look at it as that Heikki's first year at Mclaren. Maybe when he stayts at Mclaren for a year or two or even a long term contract, I'm sure Mclaren has things up their sleeves.

The F1 LM is a damn nice car, but why would driving that be such a huge deal if you're driving an F1 car!!?

If Heikki wins it what will he get? If that's not favoritism, I don't know what is...I totally agree, it's unfair to offer somebody that type of incentive without making something similar for his peers. I'm not saying Heikki should get this car, but he should perhaps have a deal for something with the same rough value or perhaps just a cash bonus.

The F1 LM is a damn nice car, but why would driving that be such a huge deal if you're driving an F1 car!!?
are you serious?

Where and when is he going to drive it if he gets it?

The point is that Heikki won't get it if he wins....

We don't know that. The British Tabloids are amongst some of the most unreliable in the world. If Heikki win's the title twice, they probably will offer him the car. It's not as if they haven't been singing Heikki's praises, because they have.

I totally agree, it's unfair to offer somebody that type of incentive without making something similar for his peers. I'm not saying Heikki should get this car, but he should perhaps have a deal for something with the same rough value or perhaps just a cash bonus.

That is undoubtly written into the contract. Anyone who wins the championship will get a bonus of some kind. Even so, they get so much free stuff given to the anyway, people seem to be kicking up a lot of fuss over nothing.


A lot of people on this forum seem to have a personal vendetta against Hamilton because of his skill. Some of you are saying that the more experienced drivers should have the better car. What ARE you people on about ? Coulthard use to driver for Mclaren at the same time as Mika Hakkinen, and he didn't win the championship, and Barrichello use to drive for Ferrari, when Michael Schumacher was winning championships. The simple fact is that the reason they aren't in the best cars, is because they aren't as fast. That is why Hamilton is in one of the fastest cars in the grid, and is challenging for the title. Some of you have the belief that you have to work through F1 to get to the top. That's not how F1 works nowadays. What teams do, is watch racing series like GP2, Formula 3, Formula Renault etc, and pluck the best drivers, and put them straight into their cars. They don't have to wait for people to "prove" themselves anymore through teams like Force India, and Super Aguri, they want the potentially fastest drivers straight away. Hamilton was put into that Mclaren seat because he is potentially the fastest driver in the world at this minute period.

Maybe the fact that they didnt offer Kovy the car is the incentive to go faster and beat Hammy?

I have to agree with Venom, after driving his F1 car as a day job, the McLaren F1 will seem slow! But i think its more for the sentimental value, its his favourite car so he wants to own it for that reason rather than the performance of it.

I also agree with Sparky, why do so many people ***** about Hamilton getting into a McLaren seat? Surely he has proved himself by going there in his first season and being possibly the most consistent driver of the season and beating his teammate, an exprienced driver, having had 2 conectutive championships and being the reigning world drivers champion. How exactly has he not proven himself?

It's not even that for me. I can understaqnd if people don't like him, such as nige, but to have the bottle to say he isn't even that good a driver isn't jus ignorant and naive, it's down right stupid. As I said before, there is a good reason he is in that Mclaren seat.

Yup. And i bet even if this year he wins the WDC many people would put it down to luck, or fortune rather than his natural ability. No one is saying that he is the best driver of all time, we are just saying that its blindingly obvious that this guy has exceptionable ability behind the wheel.

It's not even that for me. I can understaqnd if people don't like him, such as nige, but to have the bottle to say he isn't even that good a driver isn't jus ignorant and naive, it's down right stupid. As I said before, there is a good reason he is in that Mclaren seat.

I'm here lol :D.

I don't hate him I just don't think he his that good.

Yup. And i bet even if this year he wins the WDC many people would put it down to luck, or fortune rather than his natural ability. No one is saying that he is the best driver of all time, we are just saying that its blindingly obvious that this guy has exceptionable ability behind the wheel.

He his good but I don't think this year is Hamilton's year :).

I have a feeling that Kubica will win one race this season and if he is constantly in the top 4, I see no reason why he shouldn't challenge for the WDC.

Put that along with my main man Kimi and Kovi showing some skill I just don't think its Hamilton's year :).

are you serious?
If you own a Ferrari F40 and I then offer you a Honda S2000, how amazed would you be? Of course you'd enjoy driving it, but it wouldn't be a big deal considering you've stepped out of something that is much faster.

^^ Very good point, since Hamilton already has a CLK Black Series as his company car, I'm pretty sure a Mclaren will fit what he'll get next since when Alonso was in Mclaren last year, he got one of the rare SLR 722's.

Well you know what, this made me like lewis hamilton even more..

Because he's a human being..not a machine..

It shows that he's filthy rich well respected and still has dreams like a little kid...

Kudos to you louie

^^^ "Well respected"??? I do not know about that one.

^^^ "Well respected"??? I do not know about that one.

Excuse me, well respected in the world of car fans...not motor sports fans..

Lol I mean, throw Shaquille oniel behind the wheel of a nextel cup car and see how "Respected he is"

I know what your trying to say, I am just bored and looking for an argument. Anyways you forgot to capitalize the O in Oniel... remember its a name.

I am just bored and looking for an argument.

Anyways you forgot to capitalize the O in Oniel... remember its a name.

You can't be so bored as to pick an arguement over a missed capital letter on a surname? And anyway, isn't he O'Neal? :)

It's either spelled Neal or Neil.

Well you know what, this made me like lewis hamilton even more..

Because he's a human being..not a machine..

It shows that he's filthy rich well respected and still has dreams like a little kid...

Kudos to you louie
Isn't driving an F1 car like every car fan's dream? Ok, not all, but a lot.

Amazingly, when tested stateside it pulled only .86g on the skidpad.

My ass. They don't know how to drive the 90's supercars. How does a 4 door Maserati with much more weight, no downforce, and way smaller contact patches pull more G's? The Mclaren is up there for sure. They MUST have screwed up somewhere.