silly season - F1 2017 driver line up

lunarwolf · 6 Dec 2016 at 12:36

seems Merc is trying to get Alonso to replace Rosberg
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-considering-alonso-as-rosberg-s-replacement-857232/?s=1

andicole0 · 9 Dec 2016 at 11:21

Has anyone heard any rumours about Manor or Sauber during this Mercedes fiasco?
Andi.

lunarwolf · 9 Dec 2016 at 12:12

andicole0 said:
Has anyone heard any rumours about Manor or Sauber during this Mercedes fiasco?
Andi.

nope, only that Merc put on hold Wehrlein talks with Sauber http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-puts-wehrlein-sauber-talks-on-hold-857273/?s=1

lunarwolf · 9 Dec 2016 at 12:17

interesting comment from Flavio Briatore who is part of Alonso's management team.

he says Alonso will stay at McLaren

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/briatore-rules-out-mercedes-switch-for-alonso-858074/?s=1

Junglist · 9 Dec 2016 at 16:51

http://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/cl...ia-la-mercedes-ma-non-va-alla-ferrari-858147/

Paddy lowe to be leaving Mercedes?

lunarwolf · 9 Dec 2016 at 17:03

JunglistE said:
http://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/cl...ia-la-mercedes-ma-non-va-alla-ferrari-858147/

Paddy lowe to be leaving Mercedes?

seems so, but where is TBC. article hints at move to Williams

also says he will likely be replaced by James Allison from Ferrari

Syla5 · 9 Dec 2016 at 17:24

http://www.f1today.net/en/news/f1/220382/jenson-button-s-christmas-message

lets read far to much in to this quite shall we...

"possibly and probably my final year with the team."

Jenson to Merc for 2017 and 18 on a 2 year deal overriding his 2018 McLaren clause as he gets out of the contract with them all together?!

Guerrilla · 10 Dec 2016 at 04:53

Syla5 said:
http://www.f1today.net/en/news/f1/220382/jenson-button-s-christmas-message

lets read far to much in to this quite shall we...

"possibly and probably my final year with the team."

Jenson to Merc for 2017 and 18 on a 2 year deal overriding his 2018 McLaren clause as he gets out of the contract with them all together?!

Careful, you'll set people off!

andicole0 · 10 Dec 2016 at 10:14

JunglistE said:
http://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/cl...ia-la-mercedes-ma-non-va-alla-ferrari-858147/

Paddy lowe to be leaving Mercedes?

lunarwolf said:
seems so, but where is TBC. article hints at move to Williams

also says he will likely be replaced by James Allison from Ferrari

Paddy hasn't started discussing renewal with Mercedes until now so probably nothing can be confirmed.
James Allison isn't with Ferrari he is a free agent now but could easily fill Paddy's shoes I think.

I'm still waiting to see where Ross Brawn will reappear, probably within the FIA though.

As for drivers, it's looking like the commentators are looking at Bottas or Sainz as Rosberg replacements. I'd still love to see JB back in the new cars.
Andi.

JeditOjanen · 11 Dec 2016 at 12:13

Paddy Lowe has been confirmed as moving to Williams.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-f1-tech-chief-lowe-set-for-shock-williams-switch-858449/

andicole0 · 11 Dec 2016 at 12:17

JeditOjanen said:
Paddy Lowe has been confirmed as moving to Williams.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-f1-tech-chief-lowe-set-for-shock-williams-switch-858449/

Wow. Part of a deal for Bottas? Leaves the door open for James Allison @ Mercedes.
Andi.

LzR · 11 Dec 2016 at 12:46

JeditOjanen said:
Paddy Lowe has been confirmed as moving to Williams.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-f1-tech-chief-lowe-set-for-shock-williams-switch-858449/

andicole0 said:
Wow. Part of a deal for Bottas? Leaves the door open for James Allison @ Mercedes.
Andi.

Probably not 'part' of the deal more a sweetener, but like you say a strong pointer to Bottas being the man to replace Rosberg. I bet Williams are going to come out of all this with a huge smile on their face. They get Lowe, cash/discounts, and probably a replacement driver for someone who would have left next year anyway. Win win all round I guess, although I don't really rate Bottas I remain open to be surprised.

andicole0 · 11 Dec 2016 at 14:07

It will certainly enable to Bottas to show his real pottential.
So who do we think Williams will take if Bottas goes? - JB?
Andi.

Armageus · 11 Dec 2016 at 14:46

andicole0 said:
It will certainly enable to Bottas to show his real pottential.
So who do we think Williams will take if Bottas goes? - JB?
Andi.

Wehrlein for a year I would imagine - would give him a chance to prove he has some talent in faster machinery than the Manor.

Marvin · 11 Dec 2016 at 18:24

Well, you'd hope it would be Ocon or Wehrlein - they're both quick and what's the point of a junior programme if you don't employ the drivers when the opportunity arises. I'd be amazed if Bottas gets it - I would assume it would only be due to his connections with Wolff as I'm not sure I really rate him as it stands.

englishpremier · 11 Dec 2016 at 18:44

Williams can't afford to let Bottas go, there simply isn't another experienced driver of that calibre they could attract, and two rookies just isn't going to work for them.

On the other hand, with £10m at stake they probably can't afford to keep him either. Button being released from McLaren is the only option I can see that would work for them.

andicole0 · 11 Dec 2016 at 19:29

Williams have apparently rejected an offer from Mercedes.
Andi.

Slam62 · 11 Dec 2016 at 19:34

Bottas would be slaughtered by Hamilton

Goksly · 11 Dec 2016 at 19:45

Why would you leave merc for Williams? Having got the team into a position of dominance?

andicole0 · 11 Dec 2016 at 19:46

Slam62 said:
Bottas would be slaughtered by Hamilton

Lol who wouldn't
Andi.