After reading the changes for next year I wouldn't get too excited as they are still fairly restrictive... They also sound like they won't be able to follow each other that well either. :-/ Nico may have got out at the right time! Haha! Still, the uncertainty is good for us fans I suppose? And at least teams have more of an opportunity to catch up in season now too. (If they don't get it right like Mercedes did with the engine changes.)
Rosberg retires with immediate effect
- Thread starter .Griff.
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After reading the changes for next year I wouldn't get too excited as they are still fairly restrictive... They also sound like they won't be able to follow each other that well either. :-/ Nico may have got out at the right time! Haha! Still, the uncertainty is good for us fans I suppose? And at least teams have more of an opportunity to catch up in season now too. (If they don't get it right like Mercedes did with the engine changes.)
I would think that Bottas could be in with a chance. He's proven, unlike Wehrlein and unlikely to cause problems like Alonso or Vettel.
Renault have admitted that they are starting again with their engine.
Soldato
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What engine is in the red bulls next year?
Old renault rebadged again?
Old renault rebadged again?
Man of Honour
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I would like to see red bull challenging for the championship to see if ricciardo is still smiling when the going gets tough. He has had very little pressure on him so far.
Don
The wolf has already said that buying a top line driver out of contract is not his (Mercedes) way and has said taking bottas from Williams is not something they want, and that moving away from two top line drivers is being considered.
Wehrlein, as I said right from the moment I heard the news is in the driving seat.
Unless we hear anything from someone to say anything different, entertaining anything else is just pure fantasism.
Merc are sitting down in the morning to discuss with the top management, engineers and designers what direction they take.
I suspect this is purely a box ticking exercise and the decision will be made internally over the next few days, contract negotiations (albeit very one sided ones) will take place in the week following (maybe shorter) and an announcement soon after.
Xmas might throw a spanner in the works, but certainly by Jan we will know the driver.
Wehrlein, as I said right from the moment I heard the news is in the driving seat.
Unless we hear anything from someone to say anything different, entertaining anything else is just pure fantasism.
Merc are sitting down in the morning to discuss with the top management, engineers and designers what direction they take.
I suspect this is purely a box ticking exercise and the decision will be made internally over the next few days, contract negotiations (albeit very one sided ones) will take place in the week following (maybe shorter) and an announcement soon after.
Xmas might throw a spanner in the works, but certainly by Jan we will know the driver.
Man of Honour
Some reaction:
Vettel's headed the same way I think. His constant childing moaning grates with fans and, I suspect, team owners too. I wouldn't want him in my team, knowing he'll just moan all the time.
Soldato
Wehrlein or Bottas are my bets on replacement.
Don
Mercedes thought they could handle the "let them race" mentality, and has found that as a top team, it is not always a great idea. Its just another reason why I think Wehrlein (newly crowned ""Autosport Rookie of the year") is going to get the nod.
Vettel has supposedly ruled himself out - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/sebastian-vettel-denies-could-man-9393592 (although, if I were him, and considering it, I would certainly keep it secret from Ferrari, and be publicly in denial!)
Wolff himself stated that his primary options are a number 2 driver, and promoting internally.
Pairing Alonso with Hamilton is just too risky.
Button - I really don't think he is up for it. Seems very happy to be getting on with his non-driving role. I am just surprised he has not ruled himself out publicly yet.
Merc have testing in late feb, and will have a simulator program to run. Wehrlein is already experienced with processes of the car. He knows the engineers, and most recently did the tyre test for Merc. This gives him more time to get on with it than other drivers.
I fully agree that had this been known about earlier in the year, then Wehrlein may have been overlooked again for someone else on the grid, but I think needs must. Mercedes is a germany company, and I think they will always be inherently conservative and Wehrlein is the conservative choice.
The Third path being, poaching a top driver from someone else.
Vettel has supposedly ruled himself out - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/sebastian-vettel-denies-could-man-9393592 (although, if I were him, and considering it, I would certainly keep it secret from Ferrari, and be publicly in denial!)
Wolff himself stated that his primary options are a number 2 driver, and promoting internally.
Pairing Alonso with Hamilton is just too risky.
Button - I really don't think he is up for it. Seems very happy to be getting on with his non-driving role. I am just surprised he has not ruled himself out publicly yet.
Merc have testing in late feb, and will have a simulator program to run. Wehrlein is already experienced with processes of the car. He knows the engineers, and most recently did the tyre test for Merc. This gives him more time to get on with it than other drivers.
I fully agree that had this been known about earlier in the year, then Wehrlein may have been overlooked again for someone else on the grid, but I think needs must. Mercedes is a germany company, and I think they will always be inherently conservative and Wehrlein is the conservative choice.
Wolff already said he does not like that idea.
Toto Wolff said:
The Third path being, poaching a top driver from someone else.
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because he didn't want to spend years in a midfield team, i'm sure he has put his name in the ring and would love to do a season with merc in what should still easily be 1st or second team on the grid. (my prediction start of as the best team and rbr catches and possibly overtakes them at somepoint).
i hope its not wherline, i want a battle, and i may well be wrong, but i don't think he can match ham, ves, vet, alonso etc.
i do think it's between Wehrlein and button, as much as i would like it to be vettel or verstappen, i just cant see it.
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Soldato
Much as I'd love to see him in the Mercedes, Button's been pretty clear and consistent on two points: he won't drive for anyone other than McLaren now and he really needs a break from the sport and that break feels pretty permanent right now.
Man of Honour
In an effort for better reliability, Hamilton is taking Rosberg's seat next season, and Rosberg's replacement will get Hamilton's.
Hamilton will drive both cars.
Soldato
Despite loving a good crackpot conspiracy theory I think Wehrlein was passed over simply because Ocon made him look a lot more ordinary than Haryanto had managed.
If Mercedes do decide they want him, then it could be a lifeline for Manor after losing 10th place in the constructors at Interlagos, and the $30m that goes with it.
If Mercedes do decide they want him, then it could be a lifeline for Manor after losing 10th place in the constructors at Interlagos, and the $30m that goes with it.
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Man of Honour
Maybe that would be best for Mercedes? Having two quality drivers at Merc is only going to cause friction. If Werhlein is good but not 'great', then he might be a perfect fit for them. German, represents the brand, will bang in comfortable 2nd places etc.
Soldato
Soldato
Vettel and Alonso are non starters, because they both ask for stipulations in their contracts to be the number 1 driver in the team.
I'd really like to see Button take it if only for a year.
I'd really like to see Button take it if only for a year.
I think it will be Wehrlein but wish it could be Sainz. I'd like to see him and Verstappen battling in similar machinery next year. I was watching the race on the F1 channel yesterday where he was moaning about wanting to go past Sainz and being a real little bitch about it. 
Then he crashed into the back of Sainz and spun out. Lol
Then he crashed into the back of Sainz and spun out. Lol