Soldato
This opens the door for an epic return!
silly season - F1 2017 driver line up
- Thread starter lunarwolf
- Start date
updated.
shocker and most unexpected thing to happen this season
Alonso, Vettel, Ricciardo would probably be Merc's first choice, not sure contracts will allow that. lawyers are looking into fine print as we speak
Massa and Button are available but I doubt that
Ocon or Wehrlein are probably available for Merc, but seems a bit too early for rookies on the top team
the best for F1 would be Ricciardo or Max move to Merc and Sainz to replace him at RBR
personally I think a Max and LH team at Merc would be explosive in more ways than one. a fight to the death LOL
my bet is dark horse Perez, I bet Merc can have some sway with Force India
my 2cents
shocker and most unexpected thing to happen this season
Alonso, Vettel, Ricciardo would probably be Merc's first choice, not sure contracts will allow that. lawyers are looking into fine print as we speak
Massa and Button are available but I doubt that
Ocon or Wehrlein are probably available for Merc, but seems a bit too early for rookies on the top team
the best for F1 would be Ricciardo or Max move to Merc and Sainz to replace him at RBR
personally I think a Max and LH team at Merc would be explosive in more ways than one. a fight to the death LOL
my bet is dark horse Perez, I bet Merc can have some sway with Force India
my 2cents
Last edited:
Don
Wehrlein, got to be.
Nationality fits, they have a headline drive already in Hamilton.
This solves the headache of rival drivers.
He needs a better seat, and will do whatever Mercedes tell him.
Got to be
Nationality fits, they have a headline drive already in Hamilton.
This solves the headache of rival drivers.
He needs a better seat, and will do whatever Mercedes tell him.
Got to be
Last edited:
Soldato
Soldato
Done deal 
Soldato
Even though he doesn't have a drive, Button is contracted to McLaren for next year. And he's given every indication that a) he won't drive for anyone other than McLaren and b) he really doesn't want to drive next year
True, but another crack at WDC and Lewis might change his mind if he can get out of the contract. And I'm sure Fernando and his lawyers are going through his Honda contract very carefully so McLaren could end up asking him to drive for them anyway.
Also some suggestion that Vettel's Ferrari contract might have a performance clause and no race win might meet that clause....
Don
Not sure why anyone would really choose Perez at that level, unless they really want his sponsorship money (which of course Merc dont "need")
From a driver point of view he has always seemed a bit "meh" - occasionally good but most of the time bang average
From a driver point of view he has always seemed a bit "meh" - occasionally good but most of the time bang average
because he is a solid driver that will bring the car on the podium regularly. he is underrated and has really improved over the years, he's just had a fantastic year. he is a safe bet for Merc if they want the constructor's title next year. having Alonso, Vettel or Max could be counterproductive with a toxic guy like Lewis in the team
Last edited:
also a bit of a risk, at best this season (or is it "last" already?) was a one off
My whole point was based around the fact he appears more of a steady eddie rather than a race winner , or an ultra-safe bet for Merc.
Perez could easily be de-moralized by being beaten week in week out by LH
he wasn't demoralized by Hulk that beat him last year, instead he stepped up his game this year to beat him
I think you are very unfair to Perez, he has shown he can race wheel to wheel and is always making the best of the situation, this was true at Force India and Sauber, I believe he is the only one in recent years to get podiums for those teams. I think McLaren were very harsh with him, McLaren were on a downward spiral and he was an easy scapegoat, because it's not like Button schooled him there.
I am not pretending that Perez is the best driver out there. but he is able to fight with the big boys for points, he is consistent and it would be easier to have him as a no2 driver alongside Lewis rather than another big ego like Vettel, Alonso or Max. I don't think Paddy Lowe and Totto want more driver drama that they had this year, they just want to get on with it and win the constructor's
Man of Honour
With the change in rules and cars next year I think it rule out a relative rookie like Wehrlein, the team don't know that they'll still be ruling the roost next year and Red Bull especially look like they could be resurgent next year. Strongest possible drive lineup is needed here partly to be fast and partly to help develop the cars.
Alonso would be my top pick if they can do a deal, McLaren could put Jenson back in.
Alonso would be my top pick if they can do a deal, McLaren could put Jenson back in.
Soldato
The change in rules isn't going to do much. It's not like they're going to a gas turbine engine or anything, just a bit more of everything - more downforce and more mechanical grip.
Anyway, a change in rules is more likely to give a rookie a chance, as they've less knowledge to carry over. There's always more adapting for an experienced driver to do, but at this level most will do so quickly - certainly the top ones.
Soldato
I like the idea of Bottas, with Williams getting some engines cheap.
Andi.
Andi.
Don
Wolff already stated they don't want to do this.
Oh, and for the record. I really don't think Perez is in the running at all.
Last edited:
Soldato
I think Toto has said taking a top driver is his least favourite option. If he doesn't take Wehrlein where does he go but to an existing driver like Bottas.
Is it just his decision though?
A quick decision to take Perez would just lead to same the McLaren situation he was in.
Andi.
Don
Its a team principle decision. Yes, he will talk it over with all the interested parties, and clearly Mercedes will have an input. However, he is employed to run the team, and will make the final decision.
Otherwise, why would he be there
Not sure what you mean with the Perez comment, unless you mean, him acting as a stop-gap driver?
Last edited:
Soldato
Its a team principle decision. Yes, he will talk it over with all the interested parties, and clearly Mercedes will have an input. However, he is employed to run the team, and will make the final decision.
Otherwise, why would he be there
Not sure what you mean with the Perez comment, unless you mean, him acting as a stop-gap driver?
When McLaren took Perez they did so with little time to think and it turned it to be a bad decision by both parties.
Andi.
I feel button is a solid stop gap driver. He should be approached and put in on a 1 year deal. He would probably love to go out after the end of the season with Merc. Him and Ham have worked together before and been fine, and he is just as solid at bringing home the WCC points the team require. Also he has worked for the team before!