Had Button been that eager to race in 2017, then he could have walked away from McLaren and been a free agent to race elsewhere. With @ $105 Million in the bank, he could easily have made himself a preferred option for a team like Williams or Force India, by offering to drive for them for a small wage. Yes there would be guarantee that he would have got a drive elsewhere, but how would that be any different to his current situation? Button knew the deal when he signed his new contract with McLaren, he knew that the chances were he wouldn't be driving a car for them in 2017, and he knew it took him off the market to drive for any other team, but he still voluntarily signed it. If he really wanted to race in 2017, surely he wouldn't have tied himself to McLaren? As it stands, Button chose the reserve driver seat over the possibility of a race seat!
Okay then... so let's just that the 10's of millions he has in the bank will certainly be able to buy him a couple of sessions with a good shrink. He can also probably splurge on a therapy-rabbit or buy a tiger or something. I'm sure Nico will be fine. Good Lord!
I think by leaving when he did, he'll be fine. If he continued, that is when the problems would start. He knows how to wipe the floor with Hamilton now, and to continue, he would have to repeat it, over, and over. He can't go back to rolling over and being a team driver having crossed the line to being #1. Mercedes would not officially support him to be #1, it is clear, so he either gets regulated to #2, or every time Hamilton doesn't leave room, Mercedes gets one or two torn up cars. To continue, he would be self centered. The decision to leave, right after signing a contract is also self centered. Nico knows what he had to change about himself to beat Hamilton, and would prefer to not continue down that path. He sees the result of living that way embodied in Hamilton.
I agree and disagree with your viewpoints. I believe Nico was refreshingly honest in what he said in response to Lauda's statements. F1 wasn't fun for him anymore...it was chewing him up. Competing against Hamilton was very difficult and he didn't want to go through that again. He knows that everything broke right for him this year, so he rode off into the sunset. If he know how to 'wipe the floor with Hamilton', it would be an easy decision to go back and do it again. He said the stress and physical toll on putting everything he had into defeating Hamilton and winning the WDC was a one-time deal for him. Guys like Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Verstappen, they thrive on that...in fact, they can be very casual about it (until they start losing). It was very difficult and trying for Nico. Look at photos from him three years ago versus today. He gave everything to get his ultimate prize...and now he's done.
I think that is ambitious honestly. I don't think he knows how to wipe the floor with Hamilton; he has an idea of what it takes to *him* to beat Hamilton. Anytime two guys get that close in performance, a lot of external factors out of their control will play a roll in their success. If Nico had stayed, Hamilton likely would have been more motivated and worked harder next year in the same way Nico did this year. I don't get the lack of supporting him to be #1? If that were really the case, then why would Merc have swapped personnel in the garage to Hamilton's dismay? Why wouldn't they have helped Hamilton win with a real race strategy in the last race? Nico also didn't leave room this year at once time and was penalized for it - it goes both ways. It's a single seater - they are all self-centered, or they wouldn't be in F1 IMO. You go into endurance racing if you really want "teammates". : )
What I see is that Hamilton regularly ignores or questions team instructions during races.. He doesn't follow them, and do what he wants to do. Later, the team (I mean Toto) apologises for daring to tell Hamilton what to do during a race. Now, tell me who's really in charge here!! It's the tail wagging the dog; I said it all along !!!
Totally believable: https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15326600_10154843355699686_4692989489273059810_n.jpg?oh=e7a0d8b89d03d5b15096070ad72f435e&oe=58FB7451
F1 Specials Mercedes Special odds | Formula 1 betting | William Hill Bottas now firmed up to 1/2 odds on favourite, Werewolf Evens,rest of the field nowhere. It's a two horse race according to the bookies who don't always get it right of course,but it shows where the money is going to. Question now should be who would replace Bottas at Williams? My money would be on Jenson.
Wehrlein would seem to match the "we will be brave" comment from Toto. Hiring a young driver like that to help bring home a WCC is definitely brave. I can't see them taking Bottas. That would leave their customer Williams in bad shape with Stroll coming in. Stroll will need a lot of guidance, and a steady driver opposite to ensure Williams scores points when he makes mistakes - as all young drivers do.
Agreed, But my vote is for Bottas WITH a promotion of Wherlein to Williams. Yes, a relatively inexperienced driver lineup is the bullet Williams would have to bite.
Is Toto Wolff still owning some stock of Williams? If so maybe he won´t want to debilitate them stealing their only proven driver in December.
+1 Toto has stated that chemistry between LH and his new driver is important. Well, guess who gets to influence and decide whether that chemistry is "correct"
Yes Williams will struggle, but Bottas's 7 full seasons without a win at age 27 reminds me of Häkkinen by 1997. Both were long overdue a top car and a first win.
F1 Specials - To Replace Niko Rosberg At Mercedes betting odds | F1 Specials Formula 1 | William Hill Favourite Bottas easing out a bit at 4/6 ,money coming for Werewolf at 10/11 and Jenson jumps into 3rd at 12/1 (from 25/1).
I believe he still has an interest in them.Jenson could slip into Bottas' shoes ,maybe not out and out as quick,but well able to steady the ship with young Stroll coming aboard. Toto would have to deal with his pesky McLaren contract,but with the resources available to MB should be pretty easy. Werewolf is the riskiest option for either MB or Williams,he needs another year or two before moving up to the top step with MB and no way he could partner Lance at Williams ..that is a recipe for disaster. So unless Vettel or Alonso are still in the frame which looks increasingly unlikely,Toto's options are not that great.(Thanks Nico)
