Who will replace Nico
Poll: Who will replace Nico
Total Members Polled: 510
Discussion
VolvoT5 said:
^This. They would be better off with Button or even Massa if they want someone to come out of retirement and keep the seat warm for a year.
There are some rumours that tension exist between Toto and Niki - one wants to try and get a top line driver but the other wants to install a clear 'number 2'. Not sure which is which.
Quote from Lauda. Hopefully he gets his way and it is a top driver and not Wehrlein.There are some rumours that tension exist between Toto and Niki - one wants to try and get a top line driver but the other wants to install a clear 'number 2'. Not sure which is which.
Niki Lauda expects Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg quickly
Team boss Toto Wolff said the search would start on Monday, with a decision expected by the end of 2016.
"It is a huge loss because we had the quickest driver set-up over the last three years," Lauda told Sportsweek.
"I need a driver for the first test in February when the new car is ready."
He added: "We have to train him on the simulator and into the team, so we should have a decision before the end of the year."
Rosberg retired five days after beating British team-mate Lewis Hamilton to clinch his first world title.
Hamilton, a three-time world champion, has said he "doesn't care" who is picked as the German's replacement.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live, Lauda added: "Nico and Lewis were pushing each other. Lewis won two championships and Nico won one. Now we have to find a better man than Nico because we want to continue to win.
"This is a big problem for us to find a replacement, so I cannot tell you now because we have to think about it, contact everybody and make proper research into who we are going to put in the best car in Formula 1.
"We have the best car to offer but at the moment no driver. The other drivers, or the majority certainly, have 1 December contracts for next year so really we have to do good research, who is there, what and when and then we will take a decision, but it will take a while."
thegreenhell said:
hairyben said:
Pompeydave said:
Well Lauda has said today that promoting Wehrlein "would be a risk". But then again he's always talking a cautious line. Maybe it depends on how much influence Lauda has within the team? It'll probably be Wehrlein, but like many on here it wouldn't inspire me to dig out my road map of Northamptonshire for next July.
Button would be such a brilliant choice apart from the fact that Merc always understandably want a German in one of the cars. His PR skills would be massive for MB, and we know that he genuinely gets on well with Lewis. On a one year deal he'd allow the younger up and comers to position themselves for the seat in 2018. Apart fom his nationality, I'd say it was a no-brainer.
he could do what the last guy did and flip nationalities? Button would be such a brilliant choice apart from the fact that Merc always understandably want a German in one of the cars. His PR skills would be massive for MB, and we know that he genuinely gets on well with Lewis. On a one year deal he'd allow the younger up and comers to position themselves for the seat in 2018. Apart fom his nationality, I'd say it was a no-brainer.
thegreenhell said:
I still don't believe this German driver thing with Mercedes. Back in 1955 they employed Fangio and Moss as their two main drivers. Lang and Hermann only appeared sporadically through the season when they ran 3 or 4 cars in some races, on rotation with an Italian and a Frenchman. They will just employ the two best drivers for the job regardless of nationality. They won't take a risk on a driver they aren't 100% confident can do the job just because he's the only German available.
Times have changed since the 50s.There will be pressure on Merc from the unions to have a German driver.
hora said:
Why no option for Pasta Maldonado?
Because he's not good enough - He's quick on his day, but reckless.There's no Nasr, Ericsson or Gutierrez either coz they are the weakest of the current F1 drivers.
The other omissions are either tied into contracts (Kimi, Ricky Bobby), unproven (Palmer, Maggnussen Kvyat ) or French :-)
All IMHO.......
djmotorsport said:
hora said:
Why no option for Pasta Maldonado?
Because he's not good enough - He's quick on his day, but reckless.There's no Nasr, Ericsson or Gutierrez either coz they are the weakest of the current F1 drivers.
The other omissions are either tied into contracts (Kimi, Ricky Bobby), unproven (Palmer, Maggnussen Kvyat ) or French :-)
All IMHO.......
maldonaldo lollllllllllllllll
Toto Wolff views
Mercedes does not want to "interfere" with Formula 1 rivals Ferrari and McLaren as it looks for a replacement for Nico Rosberg, according to motorsport boss Toto Wolff.
Other than a single seat at Sauber and two at Manor, F1's 2017 grid was settled before newly-crowned champion Rosberg announced his shock retirement on Friday.
Who should replace Rosberg?
When asked about trying to lure the contracted Sebastian Vettel from Ferrari or Fernando Alonso from McLaren, Wolff said that was not high on his agenda.
"It's not my intention to interfere with Ferrari's internal issues," Wolff told Gazzetta Dello Sport.
"And I don't even know if Sebastian really has the intention to come to us.
"It's the same thing [with Alonso]: what would Ferrari and McLaren do without Vettel and Alonso in December?
"Or Williams without [Valtteri] Bottas? [That] option is the one I like the least."
However Wolff did concede his phone had been running hot since Friday's news.
"I've been bombarded with phone calls," he said.
"I've been called by 80% of the F1 drivers. Who hasn't done so, [Kimi] Raikkonen and [Daniil] Kvyat, didn't just because they don't have my number!"
Mercedes juniors Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon gained race experience in 2016 with Manor.
Ocon has subsequently been signed by Mercedes-powered Force India on a multi-year deal and Wehrlein had emerged as the frontrunner for the remaining Sauber drive.
Wolff said their promotion was as an option, along with hiring a dedicated 'number two' - in contrast to the Hamilton and Rosberg relationship - and testing the market, despite his reluctance.
"The first [path] is to consider having a number one and a number two," he said,
"A bit like Ferrari during the [Michael] Schumacher and [Felipe] Massa era.
"That is, hire a driver that guarantees points for the constructors' [championship].
"The second hypothesis is to promote our young drivers, Ocon or Werhlein.
"After all, other teams have given a chance to youngsters like [Max] Verstappen and [Stoffel] Vandoorne.
"The third path is to get back on the market in order to find another top driver.
"On Monday I will be in Brackley and I will a have meeting with Ron Meadows, Andrew Shovlin and a group of top-level engineers, and we'll start working to find the best solution.
"It's a new and exciting challenge. After all, even if we have won 19 races, this has been a really complicated season, full of hurdles."
Mercedes does not want to "interfere" with Formula 1 rivals Ferrari and McLaren as it looks for a replacement for Nico Rosberg, according to motorsport boss Toto Wolff.
Other than a single seat at Sauber and two at Manor, F1's 2017 grid was settled before newly-crowned champion Rosberg announced his shock retirement on Friday.
Who should replace Rosberg?
When asked about trying to lure the contracted Sebastian Vettel from Ferrari or Fernando Alonso from McLaren, Wolff said that was not high on his agenda.
"It's not my intention to interfere with Ferrari's internal issues," Wolff told Gazzetta Dello Sport.
"And I don't even know if Sebastian really has the intention to come to us.
"It's the same thing [with Alonso]: what would Ferrari and McLaren do without Vettel and Alonso in December?
"Or Williams without [Valtteri] Bottas? [That] option is the one I like the least."
However Wolff did concede his phone had been running hot since Friday's news.
"I've been bombarded with phone calls," he said.
"I've been called by 80% of the F1 drivers. Who hasn't done so, [Kimi] Raikkonen and [Daniil] Kvyat, didn't just because they don't have my number!"
Mercedes juniors Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon gained race experience in 2016 with Manor.
Ocon has subsequently been signed by Mercedes-powered Force India on a multi-year deal and Wehrlein had emerged as the frontrunner for the remaining Sauber drive.
Wolff said their promotion was as an option, along with hiring a dedicated 'number two' - in contrast to the Hamilton and Rosberg relationship - and testing the market, despite his reluctance.
"The first [path] is to consider having a number one and a number two," he said,
"A bit like Ferrari during the [Michael] Schumacher and [Felipe] Massa era.
"That is, hire a driver that guarantees points for the constructors' [championship].
"The second hypothesis is to promote our young drivers, Ocon or Werhlein.
"After all, other teams have given a chance to youngsters like [Max] Verstappen and [Stoffel] Vandoorne.
"The third path is to get back on the market in order to find another top driver.
"On Monday I will be in Brackley and I will a have meeting with Ron Meadows, Andrew Shovlin and a group of top-level engineers, and we'll start working to find the best solution.
"It's a new and exciting challenge. After all, even if we have won 19 races, this has been a really complicated season, full of hurdles."
Leroy902 said:
Stop it with asking santa for button or massa to be his replacement. They've had their time in f1, they don't need to come back.
Massa has never been the same since his head injury.JB would be a very strong choice and seemed to have a great relationship when with Lewis at McLaren.
But I would be amazed if Button came back. I suppose getting the chance of a Mercedes could be too tempting to turn down. Remember the Mercedes was in the back of the Brawn.
I just hope it is a strong teammate to Lewis. Toto speaking about a number 2 driver or a youngster would just be pampering to Hamilton.
Fair point, both are at the end of their careers, but that's why they should be in the mix- MB could go for either of them and know they'd be getting a driver with huge experience. Both are also very well liked in the paddock- Massa's standing ovation all along the pitlane the other week speaks volumes about the man. Everyone seems to genuinely like JB too, us fans particularly, and surely that should be a huge pull for MB?
Any driver who is not only a more than competent racer in the right car (JB in 2009 for example), but is also a hit with F1 fans, and crucially the people that walk into Mercedes Benz showrooms with money to spend has got to be worth a punt, even if only for a year. I bought my first Audi off the back of a mightily impressive run of form at Le Mans. I've just bought my second Audi, and it's great, but I'd be more than happy to consider switching to a Mercedes if they brought Button in, as he'll lift the profile of the brand far more than Lewis ever could because he's a nice guy that most of us would be happy to have a pint with down the pub.
If they're not bothered about another non German driver, and he'll do it- and I think he'd bite their arm off given the chance of a last competitive hurrah, they should go for it. Here's the deal Mercedes: get Button, sell more cars. It's as simple as that.
Any driver who is not only a more than competent racer in the right car (JB in 2009 for example), but is also a hit with F1 fans, and crucially the people that walk into Mercedes Benz showrooms with money to spend has got to be worth a punt, even if only for a year. I bought my first Audi off the back of a mightily impressive run of form at Le Mans. I've just bought my second Audi, and it's great, but I'd be more than happy to consider switching to a Mercedes if they brought Button in, as he'll lift the profile of the brand far more than Lewis ever could because he's a nice guy that most of us would be happy to have a pint with down the pub.
If they're not bothered about another non German driver, and he'll do it- and I think he'd bite their arm off given the chance of a last competitive hurrah, they should go for it. Here's the deal Mercedes: get Button, sell more cars. It's as simple as that.
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Remember the Mercedes was in the back of the Brawn.
More than that, Mercedes was Brawn. I have been covinced by Saward that Wehrlein isn't worthy. Button for 2017 would be a fairytale ending. Something tells me 2016 might spring a final surprise (probably not Button, I admit)
I think when people talk about "the German thing" they are referring to the 2010-onwards team rather than the original Mercedes team.
McLaren had only had a couple of years in the last two decades with an entirely non-British driver pairing so it's not just Mercedes who seem to do a bit of "home turf". Although McLaren are as British as Mercedes are German, when you get down to it ...
McLaren had only had a couple of years in the last two decades with an entirely non-British driver pairing so it's not just Mercedes who seem to do a bit of "home turf". Although McLaren are as British as Mercedes are German, when you get down to it ...
HustleRussell said:
I have seen Paul Di Resta mentioned, as well as Mark Webber (the latter probably in jest, the former hopefully in jest)
This has merit. Either in him securing a 1 year drive with Mercedes or with them placing him with Williams to replace Bottas. It really does seem that the Mercedes management has a downer on Pascal.... Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff