Bottas announcement expected this week

+1

I can't see Elton leaving Mercedes right now.

 

I must have missed something: I have never heard that Senna wanted to drive for Ferrari, and even less that he almost did. It's possible, but I have never heard of it.

Senna wanted to drive the best car available, which for a long time for him was a McLaren, where he also felt at home.
When the McLaren faded, he switched to the dominating team: Williams.
I don't recall that Ferrari was outstanding during Senna's era.
Watching ex-team mate Prost struggling at the Scuderia may have made a switch to Ferrari look not so attractive.

 

Google it. He was in talks with Modena.

 

Yes, you are right; Google mentions "negotiations" between Ferrari and Senna during the 92-93 inter-season. I cannot recall that. Williams is where he wanted to go.

I really don't know what to make of it. Ferrari was really struggling then, having just sacked Prost for complaining publicly about the car. I cannot imagine Senna wanting to step in an inferior car, but the Ferrari talks may have put some pressure at McLaren. In any case, Senna persisted at McLaren with a V8 Ford, since Renault wouldn't give the engine Senna was craving for.

 

I agree. I'd be highly surprised if Bottas can match Hamilton.

 

Senna, as good as he was, was a team jumper. He would dump anyone in a second for a faster car. He had zero interest in building up a team like MSC

 

Why???
To line up in the drivers parade that failed at Ferrari? Lewis is not even as interested in Ferrari as Vettel is so I do not see a reason why he should be replacing Vettel by own choice other than Mercedes shows him the door for whatever reason...

But to be realistic: does really anybody think that Bottas is coming into a new team where he has to learn everything just to beat a three-times WDC? I highly doubt it...even if he would be as good as Lewis the championship would be allready gone by the time he adapted to the car. Just keep in mind that a single DNF was enough to decide the WDC even when some over here think that a midfield driver won over a GOAT....

 

A talented driver should look after his interest, first and foremost, so I wouldn't blame Senna for trying to advance his career by moving from Toleman to Lotus, and then from McLaren to Williams. I don't see that as a flaw myself: Fangio did the same, and it served him well - 5 WDCs !


As for Schumacher "building" a team around him, you can see it that way if you want, but I judge that differently.

I think, thanks to its large checkbook, Ferrari poached most of the Benetton team when they recruited Schumacher who had already 2 WDCs with them. Brawn and Byrne and a few others followed the money and jumped ship when Schumacher moved to Maranello. I don't blame them either...

 

+1

Unless unforeseen problem, I cannot see why Hamilton should leave a winning team to get into one that struggle to make a mark.

It wouldn't be for money, as Mercedes can probably afford to pay him more than Ferrari.
It wouldn't be because Ferrari has a winning car.

Right now, Ferrari isn't the best team to be, IMO.

 

Maybe because they are getting fed up with Vettel whining (even more than Lewis).

They might also think Lewis is the better racer? Of course he lost out to Nicole last year ,but not in the way Vettel was trashed by Ricci in 2014!

 

I can see another reason.
Ferrari feels that, just like Alonso did before, Vettel finally realises that Ferrari isn't going to give him a winning car and is about to leave them.
In desperation, they try to poach Hamilton from Mercedes.

 

Once the dust settles on the new regs for 2017 we will see how the cars actually pan out. With a lot of contracts expiring this year then the negotiations will begin in earnest for 2018.

At this level money is not that important for the majority of drivers they just want to get into the best available car.

Ricci is definately on Ferrari's wish list.

 

2018:

Mercedes: Alonso/Wehrlein
Ferrari: Vettel/Riccardo
Mclaren: Hamilton/Vandoorne
Red Bull: Verstappen/Sainz
Williams: Bottas/Stroll

 

Huh no Kimi?

Still quite a lot of life left in him.

 

I see your point but no one predicted LH would give FA a problem at Mclaren either....all is possible

 

Lewis Hamilton's father issues warning to Valtteri Bottas | F1 News

 

Niki Lauda - Two things should help Valtteri Bottas adapt to Mercedes

Lauda and his thoughts on Bottas vs LH this year - Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda expects Valtteri Bottas to adapt quickly to life at Mercedes and believes this year's regulation changes will work in his favour.

Bottas replaced retiring world champion Nico Rosberg over the winter and goes into the 2017 season as Lewis Hamilton's teammate. New-look cars for 2017 mean all drivers will have to adapt to the new regulations and Lauda believes that will help level the playing field between Bottas and Hamilton.

"He does not have much time to settle in, everything is new to him as it is to us," Lauda told Auto Motor und Sport. "But Bottas has two advantages.

"Firstly, he is coming into a top team and that will make it easier for him to find his bearings.

"Secondly, we will have completely new cars this year. They are also new for Lewis, so Lewis cannot build on a car he already knows. Both of them, therefore, can develop the car from the beginning so that it suits them."

Asked when it would be fair to start judging Bottas, Lauda added: "After four races we know more."

 

Bingo

 

LOL!

Vettel complained about other drivers and officiating; not the team.

The CEO of Mercedes, when receiving the call about Nico's retirement, was quoted as believing that it was likely regarding another problem with Hamilton.

The two situations are worlds apart.

 

Well daddy can't drive for you so....

Seriously, kind of funny quotes. Implies Nico was lucky and that Lewis doesn't want to win that way.

Who's career did Hamilton end? Confused.

 

I think he was speaking as a driver manager, addressing the one year term of Bottas' Mercedes contract. If Bottas doesn't show well this year against Hamilton, Mercedes will drop him for Alonso or Vettel for 2018, then where does Bottas go? Back to midfield or lower, or out of F1. Bottas 1 year contract is risky, and could result in the end of his career like Kovalainen or Magnussen (both went to the back of the grid after their short times at McLaren)

 

I'd assume that the door to return is open at Williams. Bottas is about the highest level driver they can realistically get.

 

Meanwhile "the king of swag" has yet again managed to sit on something while staring at the horizon and sharing his deep thoughts with the world.........

"2017 will be better..."

https://mobile.twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/814947612885393410
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Okay, which is it? "King of Swag?" of "Tiny Dancer"?????? I'm confused..... ha ha

 

Very cool.

No wonder I like this guy.