Who will replace Nico

Who will replace Nico

Poll: Who will replace Nico

Total Members Polled: 510

Alonso: 11%
Button: 9%
Bottas: 15%
Ocon: 1%
Perez: 1%
Sainz : 5%
Mad Max: 8%
Wehrlein: 40%
Vettel: 5%
Somebody else: 6%
Author
Discussion

RedXYC

31 posts

159 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
LaurasOtherHalf said:
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.
This is the most likely option. However great it would be to see Alonso in the Merc or Button with his links to the team pre Merc era, the Bottas move to Merc with Wehrlein filling his seat at Williams makes a lot of sense.

AW111

9,674 posts

133 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
I can see several drivers using the Mercedes situation to improve their contract situation, eg

Daniel Ricciardo to Red Bull - "So can you confirm I'm the number one driver? Because if you are going to favour Max, I know another team that's looking for someone as quick as me..."

bunglesprout

563 posts

91 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
rubystone said:
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....
Paul di Resta makes a lot of sense in the context of Wolff's option 1 route - to have a clear no1 and no2 driver. Di Reta is a solid and competent driver who will trundle around and collect good solid points for the team without making mistakes or causing Lewis a lot of trouble. Knows the team well from DTM, had done a lot of simulator work for Williams in the last couple of years so won't take a lot to get up speed.

If this had happened going into 2018 I think they would have definitely given Wehrlein the seat, but I think it's too early for them to take a punt. It was ok for Red Bull to chance Verstappen, and McLaren to chance Vandoorne as neither were in with a real shout of fighting for the championship this year (or next for McLaren) , but next year a few lost points through rookie errors could mean the difference between winning and losing the constructors to Red Bull.

Vaud

50,544 posts

155 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Paul di Resta would be the Luca Badoer choice, only without the charm... he has been out too long.

My money would be on:

Ocon
Bottas
Nasr
Werhlein
Me
Paul di Resta

housen

2,366 posts

192 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
why cant someone have a word with merc and say lets put on a show for the fans !!!!

Alonso vs Hamilton


I mean its all about tv viewing figures right ????

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

152 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
hora said:
Is it just me who thinks wtf with the JB suggestions?
Nope, not at all.

benny 61

467 posts

184 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
housen said:
why cant someone have a word with merc and say lets put on a show for the fans !!!!

Alonso vs Hamilton


I mean its all about tv viewing figures right ????
I would love that to happen.

VolvoT5

4,155 posts

174 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
hora said:
Is it just me who thinks wtf with the JB suggestions?
Nope. I think Jenson is so well liked it is skewing thinking a bit. He was beaten by Alonso this year and to be honest he looked ready to retire... clearly tired of having his life run by Ron & Bernie.

London424

12,829 posts

175 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Can't remember if it has been mentioned already but Pascal taking over from Lewis at the test after AD doesn't look like a Ham excuse any longer does it?

rdjohn

6,186 posts

195 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
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)
In this instance, I think Joe is wrong. I think Wehrlein is a shoe-in.

1. He is available
2. He is already under contract - he has the most laps with 2017 tyres under his belt.
3. He fits in the car - 2017 car design will be pretty firm now - Ocon is too tall
4. Next you could be difficult so running an obvious No2 makes sense
5. 2018 is when plenty of top drivers contracts are up so a 1-year deal is possible. No other driver would accept that
6. He is the bookies favourite
7. He is the PH favourite
8. For Mercedes, he is German and young, so could be their future.


housen

2,366 posts

192 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
rdjohn said:
HustleRussell said:
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)
In this instance, I think Joe is wrong. I think Wehrlein is a shoe-in.

1. He is available
2. He is already under contract - he has the most laps with 2017 tyres under his belt.
3. He fits in the car - 2017 car design will be pretty firm now - Ocon is too tall
4. Next you could be difficult so running an obvious No2 makes sense
5. 2018 is when plenty of top drivers contracts are up so a 1-year deal is possible. No other driver would accept that
6. He is the bookies favourite
7. He is the PH favourite
8. For Mercedes, he is German and young, so could be their future.
well that sucks

swisstoni

17,019 posts

279 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
benny 61 said:
housen said:
why cant someone have a word with merc and say lets put on a show for the fans !!!!

Alonso vs Hamilton


I mean its all about tv viewing figures right ????
I would love that to happen.
Bernie should offer to pay his wages.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

152 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
London424 said:
Can't remember if it has been mentioned already but Pascal taking over from Lewis at the test after AD doesn't look like a Ham excuse any longer does it?
Did it look like a Ham excuse?

It's been a pis55ing long and ultimately disappointing season and he was ill. I can't say I'd blame him.

Vaud

50,544 posts

155 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
London424 said:
Can't remember if it has been mentioned already but Pascal taking over from Lewis at the test after AD doesn't look like a Ham excuse any longer does it?
Ah yes - he pulled out on Tuesday.

"The 2016 F1 champion only decided to retire the day after winning the title in Abu Dhabi and only told his boss on the Tuesday"

Would make sense for Lewis to be "unwell" as they hadn't yet told the world. Or co-incidence.

HustleRussell

24,712 posts

160 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
rdjohn said:
HustleRussell said:
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)
In this instance, I think Joe is wrong. I think Wehrlein is a shoe-in.

1. He is available
2. He is already under contract - he has the most laps with 2017 tyres under his belt.
3. He fits in the car - 2017 car design will be pretty firm now - Ocon is too tall
4. Next you could be difficult so running an obvious No2 makes sense
5. 2018 is when plenty of top drivers contracts are up so a 1-year deal is possible. No other driver would accept that
6. He is the bookies favourite
7. He is the PH favourite
8. For Mercedes, he is German and young, so could be their future.
Absolutely, Wehrlein must be odds-on for the seat- which is why any other driver would be a surprise. Based on the rumours about Wehrlein's attitude though, I would welcome that surprise. Messily extricating a Bottas, Perez or a Hulkenberg could shake things up more, give an established driver a long awaited break into the sharp end of the grid and create a more natural progression for Wehrlein.

ETA: Please not Di Resta. He's had his chance and he's not good enough.

Jasandjules

69,915 posts

229 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
oooh I wonder if this is why Ocon was given the other seat over Pascal...


Where did I put my tinfoil hat....

benny 61

467 posts

184 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
oooh I wonder if this is why Ocon was given the other seat over Pascal...


Where did I put my tinfoil hat....


Yeah exactly pascal can't be too good if force India didn't want him.

Bonefish Blues

26,772 posts

223 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
What is rumoured to be so bad about his attitude?

VolvoT5

4,155 posts

174 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Bonefish Blues said:
What is rumoured to be so bad about his attitude?
I have heard the words 'arrogant', 'entitled' and 'difficult to work with' used.

suffolk009

5,406 posts

165 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
VolvoT5 said:
Bonefish Blues said:
What is rumoured to be so bad about his attitude?
I have heard the words 'arrogant', 'entitled' and 'difficult to work with' used.
I'd have thought those were the minimum qualifications for the job.