December 2, 20168 yr Me thinks Alonso might be in with a chance. :yes: Sounds like a lifetime plan, now he has left Hamilton with an itch he cannot scratch!
December 2, 20168 yr Wow that was unexpected :shock: Max Verstappen would keep Lewis on his toes. Nah , Red Bull will have him stitched up so tightly in his contract. More chance of Prost joining him. :lol:
December 2, 20168 yr Nah , Red Bull will have him stitched up so tightly in his contract. More chance of Prost joining him. :lol: Wave enough money in front of Red Bull and the contract will melt away. :)
December 2, 20168 yr Stunned by this, never a good thing for any sport to be denied a champion for the following seasons defence, let alone promotional activities for there given sport, but Rosberg is a strange beast, not a confrontational person yet thrust into a fight on all levels against his old adversary Hamilton. He is still young and with a new family, feels he has achieved all he needs to (and quite rightly) to justify this early retirement not least, because for all F1's safety a freak accident is all it takes to lose it all, so hes getting out while he can at the top...Good luck to him. As for his replacement? If I were a betting man! then I am convinced you will see Alonso in this seat next year, forget the idea he is on a three year deal until 2018, he will have a clause to opt out if his unconvinced of the Macca's ability to give him a Championship car and there is no way even with the new reg's that they are ready to do that at least in 2017, Alonso will move heaven and earth and his cheque book to get this drive and Mercedes have no one in the pipeline who can hold a candle to him at the moment. Hamilton v Alonso 2017 let the war begin!
December 2, 20168 yr Stunned by this, never a good thing for any sport to be denied a champion for the following seasons defence, let alone promotional activities for there given sport, but Rosberg is a strange beast, not a confrontational person yet thrust into a fight on all levels against his old adversary Hamilton. He is still young and with a new family, feels he has achieved all he needs to (and quite rightly) to justify this early retirement not least, because for all F1's safety a freak accident is all it takes to lose it all, so hes getting out while he can at the top...Good luck to him. As for his replacement? If I were a betting man! then I am convinced you will see Alonso in this seat next year, forget the idea he is on a three year deal until 2018, he will have a clause to opt out if his unconvinced of the Macca's ability to give him a Championship car and there is no way even with the new reg's that they are ready to do that at least in 2017, Alonso will move heaven and earth and his cheque book to get this drive and Mercedes have no one in the pipeline who can hold a candle to him at the moment. Hamilton v Alonso 2017 let the war begin! Deja vu with that line up lol
December 2, 20168 yr Have to agree with SteveE, Alsono will surely be a contender for a drive in the silver arrow,
December 2, 20168 yr Alonso will have a third year option on his contract subject to the team (Mclaren) meeting performance criteria (which they would have failed to date), he can probably sight change of essential personnel as another reason for the team not showing stability (Ron Dennis). He had tried to get into the team before Hamilton re-signed last year so i'm sure he has many clause options available, it's Just that to date there hasn't been a seat worth taking over the McLarens. Whether Mercedes could handle such a divisive character as Alonso in a team were equal status has been the defacto terms of engagement, has to be seen. Hamilton won't be concerned in the least, too his credit he has never demanded No1 status despite his success and relishes any competition, including Alonso who in 2010 was seen off by the rookie that year in the same car. Mercedes have limited choices as far as their academy drivers are concerned and only have experienced drivers in other teams such as Bottas and Hulkenburg who could be pulled subject to engine deals as an incentive. Of course if they don't find any competition for Hamilton Mercedes will find it difficult to compete for next years championship where regular high point scoring will be essential, because you can bet your bottom dollar Red Bull and perhaps Ferrari or Mclaren will be right in the mix with the new regs. Suddenly the potential competition for the 2017 season has got a whole lot more exciting.. Can't wait!
December 6, 20168 yr Im not so sure. Williams don't need the extra capital that a deal would bring now they have stroll on board, and they will need an experienced driver for development of the new car. Bottas is certainly good enough for the drive, but it would depend on the deal Mercedes could offer. I still don't believr Alonso's contact is watertight going into the third year with Mclaren, it depends whether Merc need the potential fireworks he may create, not least if the board can forgive him for the spygate saga. My outside bet, would be for Sainz or Grojean. If they can't get Alonso or do the deal for Bottas. Is an amazing story for F1 though
December 7, 20168 yr Didn't see this coming! I did.... but only a few hours before the media did :lol: Was big surprise though. For the replacement my money is on Werhlein or Bottas. Would love to see Verstappen as Hamiltons teammate though. Edited December 7, 20168 yr by Yowser
December 7, 20168 yr Bottas is certainly good enough for the drive, but it would depend on the deal Mercedes could offer. Is an amazing story for F1 though My understanding is that Mercedes may try and temp Williams with a better engine package for 2017.
December 7, 20168 yr The trouble is with the Bottas possibility, is it leaves Williams with the serious problem of finding experienced driver to fill the seat alongside the rookie stroll and as the money issue is probably less of a factor with the billionaire Dad helping with the coffers any arrnagement would be compicated for both sides. The only options as far as Mercedes are concerned from within the ranks are Wherlein, although he barely outperformed Haryanto and Ocon get the better of him despite joining Manor half a season in and I don't see Force india getting too excited about swapping him out with Ocon having already turned him down for a drive.... So if they want to risk the second seat and are happy with a middling performance then Wherlein will get the nod and Hamilton will get the full backing for another championship bid, mind you as it's all to play for how about a deal is done at Williams for Bottas and they replace him with Paul de Resta! Stranger things and all that!
December 7, 20168 yr I reckon, who ever successfully predicts the Mercedes driver to partener Hamilton, should be awarded 10 points head start for next year! :yes:
December 7, 20168 yr I reckon, who ever successfully predicts the Mercedes driver to partener Hamilton, should be awarded 10 points head start for next year! :yes: This!
December 12, 20168 yr Will Bottas be the one. http://www.givemesport.com/936816-mercedes-identify-first-choice-to-replace-nico-rosberg?autoplay=on&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Organic-Social&utm_campaign=Tribute-Pages-laika-III-1sted
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