WHO TO REPLACE ROSBERG AT MERCEDES IN 2017?

I bet you are right.

For Bernie, only the show matters, whatever it takes to arrange it ...

 

+1, especially on Wehrlein

 

What are the current practice rules? I assume they could grab a 2013 V8 car and host try outs. But that car was less competitive.....

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they already had a short list and were working through contract details. What they say and what they're actually doing behind closed doors are two very different things in Formula 1.

 

kinda off topic, but where are all the people now who said it was stupid of Alonso to leave Ferrari when he did? Seb & Kimi have not been remotely close to fighting for a wdc since Alonso's departure.

I just read an article around Rosberg's replacement, and Toto's remarks are very, very encouraging if Alonso can somehow find a way into the Mercedes seat.

And as hopeful as i am also for a true resurgence of the McLaren-Honda project, i don't think they will find that magic bullet to take the fight to the top step over winter...the regulation changes surrounding the pu is just not dramatic enough to allow for it and their package overall seems to still be off the rhythm, plus mercedes continues to show it still has a few sec in their back pocket at every gp...

From ESPNF1:

 

You can never trust comments solicited by journalists.
The truth will emerge within a few weeks.
In between, people like Zak Brown can say what they want; he probably doesn't know himself, but has to keep sponsors and else quiet.

 

Interesting that both Alonso and Bottas have said absolutely nothing - unlike Vettel and Wehrlein...

Best,
Sammy

 

+1 Excellent

 

If Alonso can get out of the McLaren contract, Hamilton will really have to raise his game and focus or he is done winning championships. It is telling when the BBC asked Alonso who he thought the best driver on the grid was so they could continue their Hamilton lovefest, and Alonso replied Ricciardo. It was not what they wanted to hear, but it is probably the truth. If the car is anything but perfect, my money is on Alonso to beat Hamilton. If the car is perfect like it has been for the past 3 years it will be closer, but I still think Fernando is a much more complete driver than either Hamilton or Rosberg. I hope next week we are debating about who will be going to McLaren and not Mercedes.

 

Breaking news- Massa comes out of retirement to join mercedes and suddenly finds his 2008 pace dethroning Lewis.

 

Must have been a year without rain

 

Contracting Massa to Merc just for the 2017 season might not be as boneheaded as it sounds.

Most of the good contracts are running out at the end of next year- buying Merc time. He's qualified, and has the same "respect" for Lewis as Nico did (that would be fun to watch).

So, why not give Massa one of the two fastest cars for next year?

 

Agreed. Massa is a good option. Shame button retired he'd be a great one too

 

He is still on contract with McLaren i think...so maybe he might be tempted to join Lewis? i think he stuck it out with Mclaren for long enough and just as the car is starting to improve they put Van Doom in it...i think he has some unfinished business yet in him, i hope he gets a shot if Bottas and Alonso etc cant be signed up.

 

Absolutely right

Can you imagine, they are going to have to tie the drivers up and wheel them into maclaren HQ - 'we've got your kids, sign for the season or we start chopping off fingers gringo'

'No no herr Zak, be reasonable, I'm 23, I should have ten years ahead of me in F1, a season at McLaren will end my career......... '

'Ve demand a driver for our vehicle...... sign or the children get it'

 

I don't think so, I reckon Button is done. He looked relieved it was over when he was doing his final rounds of interviews.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Yes i guess he was relieved in a way he would not have to drag that lovely Macca around any longer. i would have thought he would luv to have a final fling in that Merc,to prove all the critics wrong once and for all.

 

Joe gives us a refresher on driver contracts and the CRB and his thoughts on who should replace Nico - https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/reality-in-brackley/



Reality in Brackley

December 6, 2016 by Joe Saward

If one ignores the pie-in-the-sky theories and the wishful thinking that is going on at the moment on the Internet, Mercedes really doesn’t have a lot of choices with regard to drivers for 2017. People forget that F1 has long had a system of protecting contracted parties with its Contract Recognition Board (CRB).

Teams accept that they will respect the decisions of this body when they sign their commercial deals with the Formula One group, when they enter the World Championship and in the driver contracts. Drivers agree to accept the CRB decisions when they sign their team contracts. This also means that all parties agree to expressly submit themselves to the exclusive jurisdiction of the CRB and not go to any other legal bodies, such as the High Court. So, in effect, this means that a driver can get out of a contract that has been lodged with the CRB only if there are specific clauses in the contract to allow him to do so; or if the team and the driver can reach a suitable arrangement that means that the contract is declared null and void by both parties. This can happen, but usually involves rather considerable amounts of money changing hands.

 

Technically, hasn't retired, he's on a sabbatical year and is still contracted to McLaren.

He could be driving the 2017 McLaren if Alonso goes to Mercedes.

 

Exactly: Jenson Button is contracted to McLaren as their reserve driver for 2017.

Rgds

 

In all honesty I do believe that Alonso is the best option for Mercedes. They can't risk underestimating Red Bull, with a fantastic driver line up, great technical team and an engine that'll be much closer to Merc power than previous years. Red Bull was 50bhp down on Mercedes. That's HUGE. And look how close they got...

If their car is a little faster than Red Bull, they quite simply won't win the WCC with Wehrlein. Ocon is too inexperienced I reckon.

If their car is as equally fast as Red Bull, RBR's line up is stronger than Hamilton + Bottas. Ric and VES are both great at judging overtaking and VES is insanely strong and ruthless defending as well. Then it starts to become a bigger risk for Mercedes already...Inserting Alonso will minimize their risk somewhat.

If RBR has a stronger car, they most definitely need an incredibly strong driver lineup. Only Alonso can fill that gap IMO.

The downside of Alonso at Mercedes (for Mercedes) is that Hamilton will not like it. I expect Alonso to be on the pace of Hamilton from the start and be quicker early on in the season. Hamilton won't like it one bit. Hamilton already left Mercedes at Barcelona this year, with Alonso ahead he'll throw the fit of all fits.

And for F1, Alonso has to be at Mercedes. If we go by the assumption that Mercedes is once again incredibly dominant, a dedicated #2 teammate for Hamilton will mean a pathetic season to watch for us. It won't do ticket sales ANY good, viewership will decline massively (2014 was kept interesting because of the Hamilton - Rosberg battle, '15 some people tuned in to see Verstappen and Vettel at Ferrari, and '16 HAM + ROS battle and Verstappen's fight at the front).

One man show up front, once again a Mercedes and Hamilton? Forget it. A battle has to be had.


(I originally posted this earlier today but in the wrong topic...)

 

Disagree.

MB can't afford to have another year of its two drivers taking points away from each other in the fight against RB. That's why Lewis needs a Wehrlein/nobody at his side. He is every bit as fast as Fred

 

Does it matter about points if Mercedes finish 1 and 2. What matters is that they both finish 1 and 2 consistently. Werh-cant shut motor off is an unknown and hardly impressive at Manor vs Haryanto. Bottas all the way a better choice.

 

Unfortunately it won't matter in the long term, because I will always pull for Ferrari Long term......

 

Agree. As the field at the front may tighten a bit Mercedes need as many 1-2 finishes as possible, which requires a top driver. Not going to happen with anyone but a top driver. It is utter blind foolishness to suggest otherwise.