Soldato
Just a Hamilton hater going by your recent posts. You must work in F1 to have such inside knowledge on how liked Hamilton is on the paddock
Rosberg retires with immediate effect
- Thread starter .Griff.
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Just a Hamilton hater going by your recent posts. You must work in F1 to have such inside knowledge on how liked Hamilton is on the paddock
Soldato
Mark Webber said at the weekend that Rosberg had come up to him during their Williams days and said that he "didn't know if I could do this" regarding the pressure and media attention. So with an awful lot of hindsight I'm not surprised that he's quit, but nobody saw it coming!
It's not brave at all, except in the sense that he's still relatively young and undoubtedly driven, and that's going to be one heck of an itch to scratch, but he's not going to do it in F1 again given how long he's spent getting to the top of his game (which he was at this year, up until Sepang).
I admire him for taking the step though. He's got a lot more left to show people, and I would have liked to have seen him take on Hamilton next year with the knowledge he can beat him on track, but he's clearly decided he's done what he wanted to do and that's enough. He clearly didn't enjoy this year, and looking back the celebrations weren't of happy but almost of an aggressive relief.
You've always had the feeling he was ultra-driven to the point of being unhealthy to do one thing, win the title, and now he's done it he's felt a massive weight off of his shoulders, and he obviously likes that feeling.
I suppose he's very much like Mansell; not the most naturally gifted driver by a long stretch, but he never gave up and ultimately succeeded against more talented opposition. There's an awful lot to admire in that.
As for a replacement... well if Wehrlein was apparently annoyed at not getting the Force India drive over Ocon, then I can only imagine the fury he'd feel if he doesn't get the Mercedes drive. Does he have the temperent to go with it though?
I really can't see any of the stars of F1 getting it. Neither Red Bull nor Ferrari are going to let their drivers go, and with the fire having died out with Rosberg's retirement, I can't imagine Mercedes would be too excited stoking it again with Alonso (as good as that would be to see).
It's not brave at all, except in the sense that he's still relatively young and undoubtedly driven, and that's going to be one heck of an itch to scratch, but he's not going to do it in F1 again given how long he's spent getting to the top of his game (which he was at this year, up until Sepang).
I admire him for taking the step though. He's got a lot more left to show people, and I would have liked to have seen him take on Hamilton next year with the knowledge he can beat him on track, but he's clearly decided he's done what he wanted to do and that's enough. He clearly didn't enjoy this year, and looking back the celebrations weren't of happy but almost of an aggressive relief.
You've always had the feeling he was ultra-driven to the point of being unhealthy to do one thing, win the title, and now he's done it he's felt a massive weight off of his shoulders, and he obviously likes that feeling.
I suppose he's very much like Mansell; not the most naturally gifted driver by a long stretch, but he never gave up and ultimately succeeded against more talented opposition. There's an awful lot to admire in that.
As for a replacement... well if Wehrlein was apparently annoyed at not getting the Force India drive over Ocon, then I can only imagine the fury he'd feel if he doesn't get the Mercedes drive. Does he have the temperent to go with it though?
I really can't see any of the stars of F1 getting it. Neither Red Bull nor Ferrari are going to let their drivers go, and with the fire having died out with Rosberg's retirement, I can't imagine Mercedes would be too excited stoking it again with Alonso (as good as that would be to see).
That was just Red Bull giving Vettel the Webber treatment for leaving, I don't think you can compare Vettel to Ricciardo based on that season. Vettel joining Hamilton would be interesting I think just because we could get a gauge of how fast he really is when in an equal car.
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If the Mercedes is as dominant next year then I do hope they get a driver of Hamilton's calibre in the second seat (Vettel, Alonso, Ric etc) otherwise we are in for a very dull season. Rosberg is a very good driver, but even he could only overcome Hamilton in a championship because of reliability issues. We really need someone very good teaming up with Lewis.
Soldato
Does Nico still have to attend every race next season as the world champion has to stand next to Bernie during the national anthem of each race?
Soldato
I have a hunch that a relative unknown will partner Lewis in 2017 because:
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12536/10680496/who-will-replace-nico-rosberg-at-mercedes-in-2017
Soldato
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I see this as a very blinkered view.
You raise your favourite to a status well above that which he has earned, he is a good driver, won many races well, but when things go wrong, he is just as techy, childish and petulant as anyone else has ever been.
Caporegime
Vettel signed for Ferrari after the season finished and after Ricciardo had thoroughly outclassed him on track.
It had been on the cards for a while and no doubt was being discussed in private for months. It was an open secret. A team like Ferrari doesn't wait until the season has finished to sign a driver.
Soldato
didnt know this:
In January last year, when Hamilton was dithering over a contract extension, Wolff told reporters: "Alonso represents the first alternative."
In January last year, when Hamilton was dithering over a contract extension, Wolff told reporters: "Alonso represents the first alternative."
Soldato
Hulkenberg must be gutted to have said for Renault.
Or Ocon? Considering he was chosen ahead of Werhlein - who is now evens to replace Rosberg?
Soldato
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Yes, but Vettel also had a clause in his contract relating to positions and finishes, and points. He happened to fulfil the critter for an easier release by being so poor in the latter half of that season.
Soldato
What's Adrian Sutil up to these days, or Nick Heidfeld?
Give Mick Schumacher a call?
Give Mick Schumacher a call?
Just a Hamilton hater going by your recent posts. You must work in F1 to have such inside knowledge on how liked Hamilton is on the paddock
Lewis can be a right prat though. Just as Rosberg and Vettel.
It's awesome to see all the salt from Hamilton fans about Rosberg today all around the internet.
For a driver who according to them is undeserving and nothing special, he sure seemed to have hit a nerve right where it hurts. Even Hamilton was salty in his interview
Can't remember F1 ever being this salty
Love it. Good luck Rosberg, you have been entertaining.
For a driver who according to them is undeserving and nothing special, he sure seemed to have hit a nerve right where it hurts. Even Hamilton was salty in his interview
Can't remember F1 ever being this salty
Love it. Good luck Rosberg, you have been entertaining.
Soldato
It's awesome to see all the salt from Hamilton fans about Rosberg today all around the internet.
For a driver who according to them is undeserving and nothing special, he sure seemed to have hit a nerve right where it hurts. Even Hamilton was salty in his interview
Can't remember F1 ever being this salty
Love it. Good luck Rosberg, you have been entertaining.
Why are you going on about salt?
Oh well...
No great loss.
We've lost the potential for a great battle, but he's done what he wanted and has decided to go out on top.
Can't imagine that Mercedes are particularly happy though. Especially the big big BIG bosses. Must be feeling a bit used. We've done everything for him over the last few years, he wins the championship and retires before we can even market it fully.
Good replacements will be expensive now. Can't really think of anyone who may be available who'd be worth putting in the car. Wehrlein was looking good for the first few races but faded away throughout the year. But, he'll be the cheapest.
Hulkenberg is probably sobbing round about now.
No great loss.
We've lost the potential for a great battle, but he's done what he wanted and has decided to go out on top.
Can't imagine that Mercedes are particularly happy though. Especially the big big BIG bosses. Must be feeling a bit used. We've done everything for him over the last few years, he wins the championship and retires before we can even market it fully.
Good replacements will be expensive now. Can't really think of anyone who may be available who'd be worth putting in the car. Wehrlein was looking good for the first few races but faded away throughout the year. But, he'll be the cheapest.
Hulkenberg is probably sobbing round about now.
Hulkenberg must be gutted to have said for Renault.
Contracts are fairly meaningless as they can be broken or paid out of