Who will replace Nico

[djmotorsport]

I really surprised that Ocon has 0 votes - Beat Max in F3 - Looks to have had the edge on Pascal in just a handful of races - would be an 'easier' deal with Force India compared to trying to extricate Max/Alonso/Vettel out of fairly watertight contracts.

Who knows, there may be another 'bombshell' to come :-)

[VolvoT5]

I think Wehrlein and Bottas are the most likely options. For many F1 fans I think Alonso is the preferred option but I don't see Mercedes wanting to take that kind of risk... Alonso has knocked on that door before and been turned away.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Vettel is seriously interested but the issue is whether he can get out of Ferrari with it costing him/Mercedes a fortune or not? Plus as much as he wants a competitive team does he really want to go head to head with Lewis? Having said that Vettel would be my preferred choice.

Ricciardo and Verstappen are wild cards. Realistically I don't see that driver line up working in the long term so maybe Red Bull would let one of them go?

I think there are a lot of factors for Mercedes to consider: do they want to manage another tense relationship between two top drivers or do they want to bring in a junior driver but risk being screwed if Hamilton flounces off or being absolutely slated in the media if it leads to a championship that is a cake walk for Hamilton. Plus getting a thrashing could destroy Wehrlein or Ocon's career before they even really get going.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Saturday 3rd December 08:05

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I voted Bottas as I can see Toto's influence coming to the fore, even if it's a one season deal to see how PW comes along at Williams.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to employ Alonso on an equal billing with another driver, he's just too much of a divisive character.

Vettel however, does he have a performance get out clause like that rumoured in his Red Bull contract? Now that would be an interesting pairing. Hamilton doesn't seem to rate him, he never mentions his name when asked about the best driver. I could imagine a repeat of the Rosberg/Hamilton shenanigans of the last few years between the two of them, especially as Vettel seems to have the likeability factor that helps him build a team around himself.

If I was in Mercedes's shoes however I'd go for a solid no2 driver in a one year deal what with the regulation changes, if they aren't as competitive as they hope they'll need one and if they are still miles ahead they can negotiate another big name for 2018 with the upper hand-every driver will still know it's the seat to have.

[Podie]

I think Bottas has gone off the boil.

Wehrlein seems the obvious choice... maybe a 1 year contract as Vettel becomes available in 2017 (IIRC)

[wombleh]

I'd love to see what the hulk could do in a merc

[768]

Daz68 said:

Tyre Tread said:

If there's a god it will be Button.

I would even buy tickets for Silverstone and I swore I never would again.

It would be amazing and in many ways a sensible choice for the management to resolve some of the issues of the last few years. I'd have though the branding guys would love it given the situation, even if he is an expensive prospect.

Can't see it happening though, but you never know.

[BoRED S2upid]

Bottas. Only got a year left at Williams who could do with the cash and unlike Hamilton would do whatever Totto wants a solid number 2.

[Derek Smith]

My bet is on an also-ran. Someone who will accept conditions in their contract. Merc want both the WDC and the WCC but this season particularly they've had problems with the drivers competing with each other. All they need is someone who, in their minds, will keep LH honest. Someone who, when LH goes off the boil, as he is wont to do, will be pushed to sort it out.

They want no more collisions, no more penalties for crude tactics. They will be tested next season I think and will have to change tactics.

[Derek Smith]

BoRED S2upid said:

Bottas. Only got a year left at Williams who could do with the cash and unlike Hamilton would do whatever Totto wants a solid number 2.

I've had the impression over the years that Frank only has contracts with his drivers so they can be bought out.

[Flooble]

If they don't sign a big name now and next year's car is a dog, they could find themselves scrabbling around at the bottom of the market in 2018. Hamilton is only contracted for another year.

So on that basis I strongly suspect they will try to extricate Vettel. Since its inception in 2010 the Mercedes team has always had at least one German driver, and Vettel is the only "big name" one available. Maybe they will try something like signing Vettel now for 2018 and drafting in Hulkenberg or Wehrlein on a one year + option contract for 2017; if the new boy does okay they can then decline to renew Hamilton in 2018 and thus get back to the same sort of "Schumacher/Rosberg" pairing they had from 2010-2013. Much easier than managing two champions.

[Dr Z]

Merc, don't mess it up! Get yourself a driver who is flippin' quick, not going to take team orders (like your No. 1), but a proper "racer" unlike your outgoing No.2.

Now am I hearing the name Bottas here? Something jogs the memory...oh wait, I've got it!

Anyone remember this?



Whoops. This is going to be so good!

[swisstoni]

I suppose Vettel might work but he's been made to look very ordinary in recent years and seems to be high maintenance.
Max has shown that youngsters can go well straight away in modern F1 cars. That's why I think Merc will go with a youngster.

[anonymous-user]

Alonso is the only man for Mercedes.

It would be one of the best seasons ever having the two men back in the same car.

The firework in and out would make F1 worth watching and attract new fans.

Toto Wolff would be bald by June

[hairyben]

Probably Weh.

Doubt toto & co have the stomach to try a partnership with the likes of Alo or Ves just yet. Ric and Ham might be managable due to mutual respect but thats a tough decision for Ric given the way RBs being tipped.

The dark horse IMO is Sainz who is too good to be sidelined by RB the way he has with the RB seats secure for a couple of years at least.

The question you need to answer first though is how much merc are trying to keep a ze german in the seat. Think it helps justify the $$$ with the boards, unions etc.

[Killer2005]

VolvoT5 said:

I think Wehrlein and Bottas are the most likely options. For many F1 fans I think Alonso is the preferred option but I don't see Mercedes wanting to take that kind of risk... Alonso has knocked on that door before and been turned away.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Vettel is seriously interested but the issue is whether he can get out of Ferrari with it costing him/Mercedes a fortune or not? Plus as much as he wants a competitive team does he really want to go head to head with Lewis? Having said that Vettel would be my preferred choice.

Ricciardo and Verstappen are wild cards. Realistically I don't see that driver line up working in the long term so maybe Red Bull would let one of them go?

I think there are a lot of factors for Mercedes to consider: do they want to manage another tense relationship between two top drivers or do they want to bring in a junior driver but risk being screwed if Hamilton flounces off or being absolutely slated in the media if it leads to a championship that is a cake walk for Hamilton. Plus getting a thrashing could destroy Wehrlein or Ocon's career before they even really get going.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Saturday 3rd December 08:05

I agree. I think the 2 favorites are Bottas and Wehrlein but there is an outside chance of Daniel Ricciardo if Red Bull are willing to let him go.

[Bristol spark]

Im not sure Wehrlein is the right choice for next year.

With the regs changes and potentially Merc not being as dominant, they need two top drivers to ensure they get the championship.


Wehrlein needs a seat in a mid team for the experience.

[ajprice]

Voted Wehrlein, Mercedes like him and he's been put in to test the Mercedes a few times. Now that Ocon is signed and the seat is there at Mercedes, they'll move him up.

[Tripe Bypass]

Mercedes want to achieve a 1-2 in every single race. Anything less is a failure. I'd be surprised if they don't sign a proven winner/champion.

[Derek Smith]

Bristol spark said:

Im not sure Wehrlein is the right choice for next year.

With the regs changes and potentially Merc not being as dominant, they need two top drivers to ensure they get the championship.


Wehrlein needs a seat in a mid team for the experience.

I think, like you, that the Merc might not be dominant. Indeed, it has been tested and the comparison might have been a factor in Rosberg's decision.

However, having two drivers of similar ability (no arguments please) is a luxury only affordable by those teams with a superior car. If they are struggling to get on terms, or even being challenged in races, then a designated #2 driver is the way to go. It opens up all sorts of tactical opportunities, particularly during the race but in qualifying as well.

Losing the WDC and/or the WCC will be a failure for Merc and will put the team under pressure.

They must be concerned about the new regs. They have the dominant engine, the chassis has been designed around it, but for regs that are now history. Their advantage isn't quite so overwhelming. I'd say team orders might come into play, and there will be penalties if they are disobeyed.

[Dr Z]

I thought about Bottas, but Wehrlein seems to be a safe bet. I think Williams will be hesitant to let go of Bottas due to the reg change next year and really need a known quantity as a reference point for Stroll through the season.

From what I've seen of Wehrlein, he's no pushover. Very very quick on 1 lap pace and has had some monster starts. Race craft is fine and not bad in the wet. Obviously not quite the complete article to go against a driver of Lewis' calibre, but reckon he will give Lewis a run for his money on ultimate pace. The consistency only comes from experience, so Lewis will quite probably have a firm upper hand there.

But he's done quite a bit of testing with the works car, so Merc should know what they're getting. Saying that, I hope it won't be like the Lewis/Heikki pairing.