Double talk, as every Grand Prix insider knows, is the dialogue of Formula One. Falsehoods, rumours and wrong-footings pour out from teams and individual drivers and are the everyday language of the sport. Always have been.

Statements of intent and foresworn promises of unswerving loyalty are often rightly regarded with suspicion, especially when they could be undermined with opportunities for vast amounts of money.

Circumstances, too, alter affiliations which would otherwise be set in stone. That is why, when Lewis Hamilton — in the closing stages of a five-year deal with McLaren — professes not to be ready to move on, a massive pinch of salt should be at hand.

The 27-year-old 2008 champion, now leading this season's chase for the world crown, says ahead of Sunday's Bahrain GP: "I have not sat down and thought about the future — only this year. I have no plans either way."

Really? He, as well as the rest of us on the Formula One scene, suspects there will be a very tempting opportunities with at least three other top teams at the end of this term and he, 17 times a winner, undoubtedly would be a main target.

For the moment Hamilton, wisely, does not want to upset the smooth running of McLaren by suggesting he might duck out. But he is keeping an eye on the exit door creaking open on flop Felipe Massa's Ferrari stopover, Mark Webber's expiring time with Red Bull and Michael Schumacher's possible return to retirement from Mercedes.

Nobody is saying so outside the principal team motorhomes, but each outfit's hierarchy yearns for Hamilton's spectacular skill as a partner to Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel or Nico Rosberg.

Rewarding marketability

His Formula One lifetime may have been spent and matured at McLaren, but Hamilton's brilliance as a driver and financially rewarding marketability have him pinpointed by those rivals I have mentioned as the driver on the most-wanted list.

From his salary standpoint of around £10 million a year — and with some £50 million already banked — his situation looks pretty good. But he could double his wages elsewhere if McLaren are not prepared to up the ante to at least £20 million.

I believe they will — and fairly soon as he heads towards a second world title with his trouble-torn last season now only a regrettable memory.

Perhaps his boss, Martin Whitmarsh, should take some satisfaction — if not absolute belief — in his utterings ahead of this weekend's Bahrain showdown, which could firm up his title chances. He said: "Everything is better this year... the team, the car and me. It is all great and that is reflected in my performances."

Team chief Whitmarsh may look on that assertion with a contented and confident smile, but he should also heed Hamilton's follow-up. "When I need to, which can be in any timeframe I want, as long as it is before next year, then I will decide about my future."

McLaren.... you have been warned.

 

The author is an expert on motorsport based in England