Bottas announcement expected this week

Interesting article on Bottas and his early success in Jr Formula racing - Former boss hails 'gifted natural talent' Bottas | PlanetF1 : PlanetF1

 

I think he will give Lewis a good run for his money,might even surpass Nicole's record.

So 'Walter'it is then!

 

I just hope they won't have Bottas neutered. Would be interested to see how he compares.

 

Good point ,if he is 'neutered' then i guess he will become 'Wally'?

 

Quite an endorsement. We will see if Bottas delivers at Mercedes.

 

I like it!!!

 

One-year Mercedes F1 deal 'difficult' for Bottas, Salo believes - F1 - Autosport

What if Walter(Bottas), beats LH? Keep Bottas and move LH along for Vettel or someone else. Anything is possible. Bottas and LH are driving a new car, not the old spec from last year. Interesting!

 

Unlikely. He barely beat midfielder Massa

 

Well with second class driver Rosberg beating Hamilton, midfielders Massa and Bottas should have it easy. Of course I am toiling, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bottles can hive Hamilton a tough time.

 

LH is skilled so we have to give the common sense advantage/history to Lewis. This is the battle to watch this year along with Max and Ricci

 

Agreed, new car better power unit for VB....it will be interesting watching all four. Lowe might give Williams an edge so I would like to see that as well and see how they do.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if walter
trashed Elton...but i will be surprised if Toto comp alow's him to do so!!

 

What would that say if Bottas gets very close, matches or even beats Hamilton?

 

I mentioned that earlier. At that point to do you extend Bottas and move LH out with one of the free top drivers like Vettel or FA. That opens all kinds of interesting angles! Fun to speculate!

 

I think if Bottas beats him, LH will move himself.

I have faith in Valtteri. Good poker face on that guy. Classic Finn nonchalance.

 

Certainly a possibility for LH. He does not tend to want to be where he is not appreciated. The future is more for Bottas vs LH. LH has been around for some time now and is more mid career than new. Again, the battle to watch will be this one....

I think Bottas translates well into the Mercedes culture.

 

The only reason for Hami to move would be to replace Seb at Ferrari

 

But why would he do that ?

 

the question is..why would Ferrari want him ?

 

Red mist

Hami's idol Senna did it (almost)

 

I don't believe Hamilton is out of contract at the end of 2017 as Bottas will be - didn't he do a 3 year deal in 2015, i.e. For 16/17/18? Seriously, I can't see Mercedes breaking Hamilton's contract for 2018 if he's still delivering at a high level in 2017, they'd plan for his replacement for 2019 if they don't want him any longer.

If Mercedes really did want Vettel for 2018 to replace Hamilton, they'd have to pay Hamilton a huge severance and facilitate a swap to Ferrari. Further, given how whiny Serb was in 2016 (radio outbursts were just as bad as anything Hamilton said), I don't see that he'd be an improvement over Hamilton. Alonso would be good, but would Hamilton agree to a release to go back to McLaren? Unlikely, unless McLaren has caught Ferrari by mid 2017.

 

+1 the reality is LH is staying whether Bottas does well or not. The financial mechanics dont favor LH leaving. Then again who knows - LH and Seb both have emotional sides that have become tiresome at points.

 

Lets hypothetically consider that Bottas beats Hamilton this year (for championship or no). I think Ham would leave, claiming to have fallen out of love with driving quickly hence he's been slow ''distracted'' and got beaten, then moves to LA to become a Kardashian.

 

Unless the Mercedes becomes second or third rate in 2017, I cannot see Hamilton jumping ship to go anywhere; at the moment, he has the best car!

And I cannot see Bottas dominating him in 2017, the way Ricciardo crushed Vettel at Red Bull in 2014, so even his ego will not be dented, IMO.

Mercedes will have to put up with more radio outbursts and pit tantrums perhaps, but as long as Hamilton delivers the level of success they expect, they won't get rid of him.

 

I think that's highly hypothetical.

Personally, I cannot see it happening.

It will take Bottas several GPs before he fits in.