<p>Triple Formula One world champion Jackie Stewart advised Lewis Hamilton on Saturday to stay at McLaren and the devil you know" rather than risk a move to Mercedes for next season. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The retired champion, who became a successful team owner and businessman after hanging up his helmet in 1973, told reporters at the Italian Grand Prix that Hamilton maybe did not realise how lucky he was. <br /><br />"I personally would stay with McLaren. They have the resources, the money, the long-term commitment, huge experience," he said. <br /><br />"He wouldn't be here today without them, and there is a degree of loyalty you should always have." <br /><br />Hamilton has been backed by McLaren since his early teens and the 2008 champion has never driven for any other team since he made his F1 debut in 2007. <br /><br />The Italian Grand Prix has been dominated by talk of his future and speculation that he could be tempted to Mercedes as a replacement for Michael Schumacher. <br /><br />The Briton, winner of 19 races, has said he does not know where he will be driving next year, although his management are in advanced talks with McLaren. <br /><br />Stewart, who founded his own race-winning team and then sold it to Ford — who then pulled out of F1 and passed the Milton Keynes outfit on for Red Bull to turn it into title-winners — warned that car manufacturers like Mercedes might be less committed to the sport than McLaren. <br /><br />"You go to Mercedes, who are a wonderful company, it would take a five-minute decision from the board to stop motor sport because of the economy," he declared. <br /><br />"So if I were thinking long term, then I would think to stay with McLaren." <br />The Scot, who drove for BRM, Matra and Tyrell in a 99 race career, said it could take Hamilton two years to settle down completely at a new team. <br /><br />"He might immediately dial in and get it done, but sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know," added Stewart.</p>
<p>Triple Formula One world champion Jackie Stewart advised Lewis Hamilton on Saturday to stay at McLaren and the devil you know" rather than risk a move to Mercedes for next season. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The retired champion, who became a successful team owner and businessman after hanging up his helmet in 1973, told reporters at the Italian Grand Prix that Hamilton maybe did not realise how lucky he was. <br /><br />"I personally would stay with McLaren. They have the resources, the money, the long-term commitment, huge experience," he said. <br /><br />"He wouldn't be here today without them, and there is a degree of loyalty you should always have." <br /><br />Hamilton has been backed by McLaren since his early teens and the 2008 champion has never driven for any other team since he made his F1 debut in 2007. <br /><br />The Italian Grand Prix has been dominated by talk of his future and speculation that he could be tempted to Mercedes as a replacement for Michael Schumacher. <br /><br />The Briton, winner of 19 races, has said he does not know where he will be driving next year, although his management are in advanced talks with McLaren. <br /><br />Stewart, who founded his own race-winning team and then sold it to Ford — who then pulled out of F1 and passed the Milton Keynes outfit on for Red Bull to turn it into title-winners — warned that car manufacturers like Mercedes might be less committed to the sport than McLaren. <br /><br />"You go to Mercedes, who are a wonderful company, it would take a five-minute decision from the board to stop motor sport because of the economy," he declared. <br /><br />"So if I were thinking long term, then I would think to stay with McLaren." <br />The Scot, who drove for BRM, Matra and Tyrell in a 99 race career, said it could take Hamilton two years to settle down completely at a new team. <br /><br />"He might immediately dial in and get it done, but sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know," added Stewart.</p>