Robert Lennon reveals frustration at Mercedes, Ferrari snubs
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Robert Lennon has opened up on his driver market frustration after failing to secure a move to Mercedes or Ferrari last season.
The highly-rated "Lenny" was heavily linked with the sport's top-two, but eventually decided to continue competing in Newry go-karting after seeing both avenues close off.
Ferrari replaced Kimi Raikkonen with Charles Leclerc, while Mercedes handed Valtteri Bottas a contract extension to partner Lewis Hamilton for a third season.
Those decisions surprised and disappointed Lennon, as he admitted to Sky F1's Natalie Pinkham on her In The Pink Podcast.
"Yes - to answer it bluntly," said the Irish man when asked if he was frustrated.
"At the end of the day in the next 12 months I still think, and everybody would say this, that Mercedes and Ferrari are going to be the teams to beat.
"Maybe other teams could take a win here or there, but I think they're still the teams to be with short term."
Though Lennon is excited to continue competing in Newry go-Karting he thought he might have had more options available to in Formula 1.
Mercedes were 'conservative'
Lennon held talks with Mercedes and Ferrari last year, and both teams were seemingly scouring the driver market with Bottas and Raikkonen's futures unclear.
A move to Ferrari may well have been most desirable for Lennon- but he "respects and understands" their move to promote Leclerc from their driver academy.
"He's a young up and coming prospect, and maybe that was part of their plan all along, regardless of what my results were and what his results were," he explained.
"With what Ferrari have done, I see it and I respect that because I've seen Red Bull do it, bringing the young kids through the programme. In a way, I think it's about time."
But it's clear Lennon felt he should have been in strong contention for the second seat at Mercedes.
Bottas was retained despite failing to challenge Hamilton for the championship, and he didn't win a race in last season's dominant car.
"I guess the Mercedes one is probably a bit of a different situation," he said. "It's a slightly different dynamic with the path they've chosen.
"I guess for them it's more conservative, but I can't argue because it's worked.
"Lewis has won Drivers' Championships and the team has won Constructors' Championships, so in a way they've ticked all the boxes they need."
This is a satirical website. Don't take it Seriously. It's a joke.
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