Who will replace Nico

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

hora said:

Flame me but Bottas is quite similar to heikki kovalainen. A good competent driver but it'll be a repeat of McLaren. Surely Mercedes know that? So how would Bottas be a 'brave decision'?

didn't think they were ever going to make a 'brave' decision. Merc have made it clear many times that both drivers scoring points and therefore getting the constructors championship is very important to them as is winning as many races as they can. Therefore Wehrlein was never going to their first choice - particularly with some of the suggestions about how is: too similar to LH so fireworks almost certain. So obvious choice is 'proven' driver - none of the race winners/champions are particularly available, Bottas best of the rest.

Edited by llewop on Tuesday 3rd January 11:23

1,128 posts

92 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

hora said:

Flame me but Bottas is quite similar to heikki kovalainen. A good competent driver but it'll be a repeat of McLaren. Surely Mercedes know that? So how would Bottas be a 'brave decision'?

Well so long as the Merc has the same comparable dominance to the others a it had in last few seasons Bottas is pretty much guaranteed 2nd place in the WDC and also bound to get odd win, maybe 2 wins.
Frankly Totto could of put his Mrs in the Merc and she'd qualify it in the top 15 maybe top 10.
Bottas is a good if not very very dull choice, the press won't have the whole "they raced together in karts" thing with Nico and Lewis and it'll be the most dull F1 season ever.
Unless.....Bottas can show he's better than Nico, if he does, Lewis is in trouble.

What we really need is good solid competition from the other teams..... I for see Williams being very strong as part of the deal with Bottas / Massa will be better grade Merc engines with some of the nice bits Merc F1 have...
I think Williams will be 2nd or 3rd best team next season....

TheInternet

4,724 posts

164 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

tommunster10 said:

Unless.....Bottas can show he's better than Nico,

It wouldn't surprise me, but perhaps not straight away.

1,128 posts

92 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

TheInternet said:

tommunster10 said:

Unless.....Bottas can show he's better than Nico,

It wouldn't surprise me, but perhaps not straight away.

He's very similar, one of those drivers who if they spend their whole career in an average car they get average results and get called an average driver. Nico could of spent his whole career like this were it not for the Mercedes he found himself in last 3 seasons and now look at his CV.
Bottas will be the same, suddenly at the sharp end, what he won't have is this manufactured fight between himself and Lewis. The powers that be and Merc knowing they were only ever racing against themselves had to construct this Prost / Senna like battle.
That won't happen with Bottas and Lewis though, Bottas will just be very happy to be in the best car and happy to just be getting 2nds etc with no problems, I think by 3 races in we'll be missing Nico as at least it caused controversy.
We know all about Bottas and he is very dull, so much so he makes Nico look like James Hunt.
His first season he will just feel like Jim fixed it for him to be in the best car on the grid, season after that he'll be replaced for a 'star' name driver..

anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

tommunster10 said:

TheInternet said:

tommunster10 said:

Unless.....Bottas can show he's better than Nico,

It wouldn't surprise me, but perhaps not straight away.

He's very similar, one of those drivers who if they spend their whole career in an average car they get average results and get called an average driver. Nico could of spent his whole career like this were it not for the Mercedes he found himself in last 3 seasons and now look at his CV.
Bottas will be the same, suddenly at the sharp end, what he won't have is this manufactured fight between himself and Lewis. The powers that be and Merc knowing they were only ever racing against themselves had to construct this Prost / Senna like battle.
That won't happen with Bottas and Lewis though, Bottas will just be very happy to be in the best car and happy to just be getting 2nds etc with no problems, I think by 3 races in we'll be missing Nico as at least it caused controversy.
We know all about Bottas and he is very dull, so much so he makes Nico look like James Hunt.
His first season he will just feel like Jim fixed it for him to be in the best car on the grid, season after that he'll be replaced for a 'star' name driver..

You do talk some s

te at times, Tom..... and this is just one of those times.

By the way it's 'could have' not 'could of'. How do you expect to be taken seriously when you haven't even got a basic grasp of grammar?

thegreenhell

15,415 posts

220 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

tommunster10 said:

That won't happen with Bottas and Lewis though, Bottas will just be very happy to be in the best car and happy to just be getting 2nds etc with no problems

I doubt he will be happy to just sit there collecting second places if the car remains as dominant as it has been. He'll be doing everything he can to beat Hamilton, as would any professional racing driver if their contract doesn't forbid it.

I don't think he is, and certainly hope that he isn't, another Kovalainen. He's not been spectacular, but he hasn't been short of speed. He's outscored his teammate every season in his F1 career, so far. He may not have had the toughest teammates so far, but you still have to beat them. If anything I think it will be a test of his mental toughness rather than his speed. Coming into Hamilton's team in these circumstances won't be the easiest thing in the world, and he is after all stepping into the shoes of the current world champion. Does that laid-back Scandinavian persona hide a fighter's spirit, and can he handle the pressure of expectation?

Europa1

10,923 posts

189 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

REALIST123 said:

tommunster10 said:

TheInternet said:

tommunster10 said:

Unless.....Bottas can show he's better than Nico,

It wouldn't surprise me, but perhaps not straight away.

He's very similar, one of those drivers who if they spend their whole career in an average car they get average results and get called an average driver. Nico could of spent his whole career like this were it not for the Mercedes he found himself in last 3 seasons and now look at his CV.
Bottas will be the same, suddenly at the sharp end, what he won't have is this manufactured fight between himself and Lewis. The powers that be and Merc knowing they were only ever racing against themselves had to construct this Prost / Senna like battle.
That won't happen with Bottas and Lewis though, Bottas will just be very happy to be in the best car and happy to just be getting 2nds etc with no problems, I think by 3 races in we'll be missing Nico as at least it caused controversy.
We know all about Bottas and he is very dull, so much so he makes Nico look like James Hunt.
His first season he will just feel like Jim fixed it for him to be in the best car on the grid, season after that he'll be replaced for a 'star' name driver..

You do talk some s

te at times, Tom..... and this is just one of those times.

By the way it's 'could have' not 'could of'. How do you expect to be taken seriously when you haven't even got a basic grasp of grammar?

Realist, you're tapping your keys in vain - he's been told before about would/could/should have, but to no avail. Initially, in his defence, English is not his first language, but not once it's been pointed out several times.

ZX10R NIN

27,642 posts

126 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

tommunster10 said:

TheInternet said:

tommunster10 said:

Unless.....Bottas can show he's better than Nico,

It wouldn't surprise me, but perhaps not straight away.

He's very similar, one of those drivers who if they spend their whole career in an average car they get average results and get called an average driver. Nico could of spent his whole career like this were it not for the Mercedes he found himself in last 3 seasons and now look at his CV.
Bottas will be the same, suddenly at the sharp end, what he won't have is this manufactured fight between himself and Lewis. The powers that be and Merc knowing they were only ever racing against themselves had to construct this Prost / Senna like battle.
That won't happen with Bottas and Lewis though, Bottas will just be very happy to be in the best car and happy to just be getting 2nds etc with no problems, I think by 3 races in we'll be missing Nico as at least it caused controversy.
We know all about Bottas and he is very dull, so much so he makes Nico look like James Hunt.
His first season he will just feel like Jim fixed it for him to be in the best car on the grid, season after that he'll be replaced for a 'star' name driver..

Don't you mean were it not for the fact he took the risk of leaving Williams & joined Mercedes 6 years ago.

1,128 posts

92 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

REALIST123 said:

tommunster10 said:

TheInternet said:

tommunster10 said:

Unless.....Bottas can show he's better than Nico,

It wouldn't surprise me, but perhaps not straight away.

He's very similar, one of those drivers who if they spend their whole career in an average car they get average results and get called an average driver. Nico could of spent his whole career like this were it not for the Mercedes he found himself in last 3 seasons and now look at his CV.
Bottas will be the same, suddenly at the sharp end, what he won't have is this manufactured fight between himself and Lewis. The powers that be and Merc knowing they were only ever racing against themselves had to construct this Prost / Senna like battle.
That won't happen with Bottas and Lewis though, Bottas will just be very happy to be in the best car and happy to just be getting 2nds etc with no problems, I think by 3 races in we'll be missing Nico as at least it caused controversy.
We know all about Bottas and he is very dull, so much so he makes Nico look like James Hunt.
His first season he will just feel like Jim fixed it for him to be in the best car on the grid, season after that he'll be replaced for a 'star' name driver..

You do talk some s

te at times, Tom..... and this is just one of those times.

By the way it's 'could have' not 'could of'. How do you expect to be taken seriously when you haven't even got a basic grasp of grammar?

Which bit is rubbish? Bottas coming 2nd with few wins? Bottas being dull?

They got Bottas because 'star' names were in contracts. Bottas isn't a star name he's a safe pair of hands like Nico, Toto said as much himself for christ sakes.

Part of the deal for Williams letting Merc have Bottas will be better Merc engines for Williams... i for see Williams at the sharp end again in 2017 because of this....
I may be wrong but we shall see.... you have to do something to make it all seem interesting.... and my money for 2nd best team is Williams in 2017, not to mention Stroll's Daddy isn't going to want his little chappie to be in a s

te car, he's not let him be in one thus far in his career...

HoagieLomax

927 posts

192 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

LH really needs a number two,it's either that or he likes squatting down for no reason.

housen

2,366 posts

193 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

HoagieLomax said:

LH really needs a number two,it's either that or he likes squatting down for no reason.

hehe

London424

12,829 posts

176 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

tommunster10 said:

REALIST123 said:

tommunster10 said:

TheInternet said:

tommunster10 said:

Unless.....Bottas can show he's better than Nico,

It wouldn't surprise me, but perhaps not straight away.

He's very similar, one of those drivers who if they spend their whole career in an average car they get average results and get called an average driver. Nico could of spent his whole career like this were it not for the Mercedes he found himself in last 3 seasons and now look at his CV.
Bottas will be the same, suddenly at the sharp end, what he won't have is this manufactured fight between himself and Lewis. The powers that be and Merc knowing they were only ever racing against themselves had to construct this Prost / Senna like battle.
That won't happen with Bottas and Lewis though, Bottas will just be very happy to be in the best car and happy to just be getting 2nds etc with no problems, I think by 3 races in we'll be missing Nico as at least it caused controversy.
We know all about Bottas and he is very dull, so much so he makes Nico look like James Hunt.
His first season he will just feel like Jim fixed it for him to be in the best car on the grid, season after that he'll be replaced for a 'star' name driver..

You do talk some s

te at times, Tom..... and this is just one of those times.

By the way it's 'could have' not 'could of'. How do you expect to be taken seriously when you haven't even got a basic grasp of grammar?

Which bit is rubbish? Bottas coming 2nd with few wins? Bottas being dull?

They got Bottas because 'star' names were in contracts. Bottas isn't a star name he's a safe pair of hands like Nico, Toto said as much himself for christ sakes.

Part of the deal for Williams letting Merc have Bottas will be better Merc engines for Williams... i for see Williams at the sharp end again in 2017 because of this....
I may be wrong but we shall see.... you have to do something to make it all seem interesting.... and my money for 2nd best team is Williams in 2017, not to mention Stroll's Daddy isn't going to want his little chappie to be in a s

te car, he's not let him be in one thus far in his career...

I'll take £20 to a charity of choice that Williams will not finish 2nd next season!

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

153 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

The Stroll won't want his boy in an average car thing is also nonsense - really.

Junior formulae = off the peg chassis and engines (in theory anyway) and EVERY team need bloody money.

In F1 - you've doubtless noticed - you build your own car.

So how is Stroll going to weild his all powerful not let Lance be in a scrap car wand on this one?

Flooble

5,565 posts

101 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

Another £20 on Williams finishing lower than 2nd here.

Dr Murdoch

3,449 posts

136 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

Flooble said:

Another £20 on Williams finishing lower than 2nd here.

Indeed

Even if they had two top line drivers...

but they don't, they have a past it Massa and a novice.

1,128 posts

92 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

Fair enough, just an opinion, wasn't that long ago Williams were getting a few 2nd places and 3rds, 2014... Not totally beyond silly really. If you have a Merc engine in the back and you just helped Merc out plus Toto is a mentor of Claire...you never know..

Oh and you need to see what Stroll did for his little lamb in the lower formula..... giving Williams £20 mil makes you a big fish...

Edited by tommunster10 on Wednesday 4th January 17:03

KevinCamaroSS

11,641 posts

281 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

Dr Murdoch said:

Indeed

Even if they had two top line drivers...

but they don't, they have a past it Massa and a novice.

Absolutely. I doubt they will finish any higher than they did in 2016.

1,128 posts

92 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017

KevinCamaroSS said:

Dr Murdoch said:

Indeed

Even if they had two top line drivers...

but they don't, they have a past it Massa and a novice.

Absolutely. I doubt they will finish any higher than they did in 2016.

I think they have a great chance of proving you wrong, they came 3rd in WCC in 2014 for the most part due to Merc engine. For me its simply thinking about just what the Bottas move has meant for them as a team, just what extra cam Merc F1 give them as part of this special relationship. Its interesting and frankly if they could get a package even half as good as the Merc they are above Ferrari and close to Red Bull regardless of whose in the cars.

Dr Murdoch

3,449 posts

136 months