Let's open a new thread with the following questions: 1. Who, in the current F1 field, would you prefer to have aside of Hamilton at the Mercedes F1 Team in 2017? 2. Who, in case Mercedes isn't able to attract somebody of the current F1 field?
I hope Alonso but my guess whould be Wehrlein...The first would be the exciting choice and the second one the rational choice to avoid conflict and give Lewis the suurounding he needs.
If it's not Alonso (and it won't be), I don't care. If Alonso does move to Mercedes, McHonda will probably dominate. lol
On the other hand, it would be a fantastic opportunity for Max, if he got that seat. He'd make WDC 2017 for sure and Hammi'd be seriously in trouble!
Guess why RB promoted him to their main team during this season...To avoid that he might leave them so no chance they let him go
Much lols ! They need a pretty good no.2 to keep the RB's from nicking the Constructors...Hoping Alonso but would not be surprised at Wehrlein due to Toto saying " we want a driver for the future". Best, Sammy
We surely agree, that, if they could "steal" Max from RB, their chances for winning the Constructors Title would be increase exponentially!
Max 2017 WDC for sure ? Lets see if he can beat Ricci in 2017 before pronouncing his WDC capabilities at this point
+1 I bet Hulk is regretting going to Renault now. Merc probably ideally want a solid German and he would've probably been at the top of the list. Wehrlein is Toto's pet, I'll be pleasantly surprised if it isn't him.
I don't understand the so-called Wehrlein "succes". The boy has shown absolutely nothing till now. I 'd wonder if Lauda would just accept that from Toto.
Who is absolutely locked up with driver contracts? Or can any driver move over at any time now that this has opened up? What are the chances Mercedes will part with Hamilton / zero right? Robb
Toto must ponder on that. The ideal driver would be someone who would get on with Hamilton; that is unlikely to be a top driver like Vettel, Alonso, or Verstappen. No point repeating the 2015 and 2016 seasons with intense rivalry in the team. Nico's successor should be a distinct Number 2 who won't clash with the Brit, accept team order and buy his time before being promoted when/if Hamilton leaves at the end of his contract. Rosberg retirement has made Hamilton official Number One in the team. Perez? But he just signed contract. Wehrlein? Nasr now without sponsor? Magnussen and Hulkenberg must regret signing so early for Hass and Renault.
1. Kimi would be great number two if Mercedes could entice him. 2. I'd rather see Massa come out of retirement or go with Perez. Robb
Perez would be solid, but who to replace him with? Force India has lways said they won't stand in the way if one of the drivers gets a top drive and even though Hulk had a contract, they let him out with zero questions. If Nasr gets some sponsorship back, he may be a suitable replacement.
If they hire Button that would be an indicator that Mercedes itself is on its way out soon. Otherwise they might need a young driver they can form for the long term in the slipstream of Hamilton to be ready as soon as Lewis ends his career.
I think we already know, they will do a absolutely nothing. They are now on their back foot trying to fill a vacant seat in a hurry, management in Stuttgart cannot be pleased with this. I really wonder if Nico knows something about changes for next year. Is Paddy Lowe going to leave and go to Ferrari? To continue dominance for an extended period of time is difficult, look at Williams in the 1990s, Ferrari in the 2000's and Red Bull. Egos get in the way and valuable people leave.
