Who will replace Nico
Poll: Who will replace Nico
Total Members Polled: 510
Discussion
As much as he might want a competitive car, I don't think Vettel would want to go directly up against Hamilton. He was shown up somewhat against Ricciardo, and I can't see him being worth buying out of his €50m per year Ferrari contract.
Alonso would surely be very expensive to buy from McLaren, and would they want to take the risk? Not just the risk of potential disruption within the team but the fact that he's been so vocal about the fact he might retire after 2017 if he doesn't like the new cars. It could be a very expensive exercise for just one year.
Bottas would probably be the safe choice. He just seems to quietly get the job done without causing a fuss, but also seemingly without ever doing anything especially noteworthy. I can't see him consistently challenging Hamilton, but he'll always be there or thereabouts to pick up the points. I'm not sure Williams will let him go though. They won't want to be left without an experienced driver for next year's major rule change, and they just got a large cash boost from Stroll, so a buyout of their lead driver would perhaps be less attractive to them now than at other times.
Wehrlein would seem an obvious choice given his links to Mercedes, and he has had some very good performances in the Manor this year, but the fact that Ocon came in half way through the year and leapfrogged him into the FI drive raises some question marks as to why he was overlooked then.
For me the dark horse is Sainz. He showed well against Verstappen, and he must be getting impatient stuck in the STR with no immediate prospect of promotion to the big team. He was also reportedly keen on the Renault drive until Red Bull tied him up with another contract. I don't think either Verstappen or Ricciardo will want to leave Red Bull, as they must fancy their chances of challenging Mercedes next year.
Alonso would surely be very expensive to buy from McLaren, and would they want to take the risk? Not just the risk of potential disruption within the team but the fact that he's been so vocal about the fact he might retire after 2017 if he doesn't like the new cars. It could be a very expensive exercise for just one year.
Bottas would probably be the safe choice. He just seems to quietly get the job done without causing a fuss, but also seemingly without ever doing anything especially noteworthy. I can't see him consistently challenging Hamilton, but he'll always be there or thereabouts to pick up the points. I'm not sure Williams will let him go though. They won't want to be left without an experienced driver for next year's major rule change, and they just got a large cash boost from Stroll, so a buyout of their lead driver would perhaps be less attractive to them now than at other times.
Wehrlein would seem an obvious choice given his links to Mercedes, and he has had some very good performances in the Manor this year, but the fact that Ocon came in half way through the year and leapfrogged him into the FI drive raises some question marks as to why he was overlooked then.
For me the dark horse is Sainz. He showed well against Verstappen, and he must be getting impatient stuck in the STR with no immediate prospect of promotion to the big team. He was also reportedly keen on the Renault drive until Red Bull tied him up with another contract. I don't think either Verstappen or Ricciardo will want to leave Red Bull, as they must fancy their chances of challenging Mercedes next year.
ELUSIVEJIM said:
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
That's a very smart and subtle way for Toto to deal with Lewis's indiscretions in the last race - that would be so much fun to watch 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
thegreenhell said:
Bottas would probably be the safe choice. He just seems to quietly get the job done without causing a fuss, but also seemingly without ever doing anything especially noteworthy. I can't see him consistently challenging Hamilton, but he'll always be there or thereabouts to pick up the points. I'm not sure Williams will let him go though. They won't want to be left without an experienced driver for next year's major rule change, and they just got a large cash boost from Stroll, so a buyout of their lead driver would perhaps be less attractive to them now than at other times.
Have williams given up on the idea bottas is the next big thing? He's a handy driver for sure, copes with pressure etc but williams seem to place his stock far higher than anyone else so far as I can see, so I cant see a deal being done. The only negative with Pascal is he's apparently tricky to work with & as you saw with in the last race where he & Ocon had a coming together he's not one for doing his best for the team, it's a headache for Mercedes that I don't think they saw coming Lewis is their superstar as much as I'd love to see it Max won't get the call Lewis or any of the other top guys won't want him next to them, I think they'll try to get Ocon (who I think would be their first choice) out of his Force India drive either that or they might give JB a one season deal.
So now that the dust has settled a bit, I think Mercedes are going to have some difficult questions to answer.
When did they really find out Nico was retiring?Trying to deny that they fixed the championship in his favour starts to become a fruitless exercise once the evidence starts to mount up. How many Mercedes engine failures did the client teams have?
Something stinks at Mercedes F1
When did they really find out Nico was retiring?Trying to deny that they fixed the championship in his favour starts to become a fruitless exercise once the evidence starts to mount up. How many Mercedes engine failures did the client teams have?
Something stinks at Mercedes F1
Sylvaforever said:
So now that the dust has settled a bit, I think Mercedes are going to have some difficult questions to answer.
When did they really find out Nico was retiring?Trying to deny that they fixed the championship in his favour starts to become a fruitless exercise once the evidence starts to mount up. How many Mercedes engine failures did the client teams have?
Something stinks at Mercedes F1
Do you really think that because I believe if Mercedes knew beforehand Ocon wouldn't be signed to Force India.When did they really find out Nico was retiring?Trying to deny that they fixed the championship in his favour starts to become a fruitless exercise once the evidence starts to mount up. How many Mercedes engine failures did the client teams have?
Something stinks at Mercedes F1
Sylvaforever said:
So now that the dust has settled a bit, I think Mercedes are going to have some difficult questions to answer.
When did they really find out Nico was retiring? Trying to deny that they fixed the championship in his favour starts to become a fruitless exercise once the evidence starts to mount up. How many Mercedes engine failures did the client teams have?
Something stinks at Mercedes F1
I heard the announcement was that Lewis Hamilton would be modelling the 2017 teamwear to go on sale to the fans in time for Christmas, including a tin-foil cap with the number 44 on it.When did they really find out Nico was retiring? Trying to deny that they fixed the championship in his favour starts to become a fruitless exercise once the evidence starts to mount up. How many Mercedes engine failures did the client teams have?
Something stinks at Mercedes F1
Well I voted Wehrlein because I think that's most likely to happen.
However, I'd really love to see someone there who will challenge Lewis, my particular favourites being Vettel, Alonso, a persuaded-out-of-retirement JB, Sainz or, best of all, MAX. What a season that would be.
Don't think any of those are likely though. Merc will go for a solid no.2 who'll obey team orders and support LH.
However, I'd really love to see someone there who will challenge Lewis, my particular favourites being Vettel, Alonso, a persuaded-out-of-retirement JB, Sainz or, best of all, MAX. What a season that would be.
Don't think any of those are likely though. Merc will go for a solid no.2 who'll obey team orders and support LH.
bobbo89 said:
Merc making some sort of announcement at 2pm....
I saw this on twitter too.... but who knows whether or not it is *the* announcement or some other PR stunt? If they are announcing a replacement this quickly then in my view it points heavily towards Wehrlein or maybe Bottas... they have only had a few days and I don't see how they could arrange a buyout of Alonso or Vettel that quickly what with all the negotiations that would involve.
Sylvaforever said:
So now that the dust has settled a bit, I think Mercedes are going to have some difficult questions to answer.
When did they really find out Nico was retiring?Trying to deny that they fixed the championship in his favour starts to become a fruitless exercise once the evidence starts to mount up. How many Mercedes engine failures did the client teams have?
Something stinks at Mercedes F1
Wow, Hamilton fans really are smoking something good today. When did they really find out Nico was retiring?Trying to deny that they fixed the championship in his favour starts to become a fruitless exercise once the evidence starts to mount up. How many Mercedes engine failures did the client teams have?
Something stinks at Mercedes F1
Anyway, as an outside option how about Grosjean, has he actually been confirmed at Haas yet?
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