Lewis Hamilton is expected to confirm later on Friday that he will be moving to Mercedes next year.
After weeks of speculation about his future, Hamilton's decision to turn his back on the McLaren team that brought him into Formula 1 is set to finally be made official.
Although neither team is willing to comment on the news, or timing of any press statement, it is understood that his switch will become official before the end of the day.
Hamilton's move to Mercedes comes after intense discussions between his management team, XIX Entertainment and McLaren - with central issues believed to have related to both salary and personal sponsorship rights.
Earlier this week it emerged that McLaren had matched the reported £11 million per year basic wage offer made to Hamilton, although it is not clear if Mercedes subsequently upped its deal.
Hamilton's move to Mercedes, where he will race alongside Nico Rosberg, has cast doubts over the future of Michael Schumacher – who now looks set to face the decision of retiring or moving to another team like Sauber.
Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm was seen in lengthy talks with Sauber at last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, and there will be a vacancy with Sergio Perez set to become Hamilton's replacement at McLaren.
The Mexican, who has been labelled as not experienced enough for Ferrari, has impressed strongly at times this season and McLaren is likely to feel that it can harness his obvious talent.
Mark Webber snatched the pole position from teammate Sebastian Vettel as Red Bull dominated qualifying for the South Korean Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday.
Webber clocked 1 minute 37.242 seconds for the 5.615km lap on the Korea International Circuit to earn his second pole of the season.
Two-times reigning champion Vettel was unable to better that mark after making a small mistake and being held up by Ferrari's Felipe Massa in his final lap.
Vettel had 1:37.316, ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton (1:37.469) and championship leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari (1:37.534).
Hamilton has pole in Abu Dabi, Vettel was third but stopped on the in lap, didn't have enough fuel for a sample and has been excluded from qualifying. Webber to start 2nd, Ricciardo 16th. Vergne failed to get through Q1 again
Funny how Valencia and Abu Dabi ended up being the two best races of the season so far!
Rosberg lucky to walk away from him shunt. Webber ha a shocker but should never have been put in that final position he was after the last pit stop. Thought he was lucky also to escape a drive through for both of his incidents with Massa and Maldonado.
Wonder if McLaren are secretly questioning their decision to hire Perez. Looks like it will be a Kovalainen situation again. Hamilton is a lot better than Button who is a lot better than Perez.
Seb had one of his best drives (apart from his first incident). He got very lucky with the safety car both times, but last to third is a great drive no matter what else happened.
I'm not 1870, but sadly I'd say No. How much longer can he go on? Seems to be second fiddle to Vettel & how long until Red Bull will look to promote one of their Toro Rosso drivers?
I think Ricciardo is a much better chance, especially if the seat of Webber vacates soon (ie. after next season) & he gets the nod before Vergne.
Sky Pilot wrote:Do you think Webber will ever win the world championship 1870?
No sadly. He is definitely good enough with the right equipment, as shown every year at contract talk time, his car becomes as quick at Sebs suddenly, until he re-signs and the car drops off again. Given an equal chance he is as good as anyone. Seb, Alonso and Hamilton are the best three drivers in the field, Webber is just behind, ahead of Button and Massa in my opinion. Left M Schumacher out of that list because he is still the best ever
the milky bar kid wrote:I'm not 1870, but sadly I'd say No. How much longer can he go on? Seems to be second fiddle to Vettel & how long until Red Bull will look to promote one of their Toro Rosso drivers?
I think Ricciardo is a much better chance, especially if the seat of Webber vacates soon (ie. after next season) & he gets the nod before Vergne.
I'd like to see Daniel get the nod for that seat, but I'd say Vergne is ahead of him as he is much better in a race than Ricciardo
