Hamilton to fight for future McLaren titles
That is the belief of the reigning world champion's former mentor and boss Ron Dennis, who at Woking on Thursday announced his complete withdrawal from involvement in formula one.
It has been rumored that intractable friction between the 61-year-old and the Hamilton camp – notably Lewis' father-manager Anthony – contributed to Dennis' decision to step aside.
But Dennis played down suggestions that Hamilton leaving the team before his current long-term contract expires was a possibility.
"Lewis has a contract and it's a long contract," he said.
Dennis also hinted that Hamilton cannot despair at his current situation, because two of the three McLarens he has raced in his career were capable of fighting for the championship.
"He's been very fortunate always to be in a competitive McLaren," said Dennis. "This is motor racing. Sometimes companies give you a competitive racing car, sometimes they don't."
Dennis acknowledged, however, that the current MP4-24 is unlikely to ever be a world-beater.
"People seem to be forgetting that we've got the numbers one and two on our cars," he said. "They might not be next year, but we will do everything we can to make it happen again in two years."