McLaren’s parting warning

Lewis Hamilton has been warned by McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh that leaving them for Mercedes is a mistake.

Mercedes confirmed yesterday Hamilton would be joining them on a three-year deal from the start of the 2013 F1 season, ending a 14-year association with McLaren.

Hamilton will replace Michael Schumacher at the German team, with Mexican driver Sergio Perez — currently with Sauber — stepping in for him at McLaren.

Hamilton has described his move as a “fresh challenge” but Whitmarsh believes the switch makes it less likely he will achieve his ambition of matching his hero Ayrton Senna and becoming a three-time world champion.