4020 replies to this topic

[David1976]

So, who's going to get thecoveted second seat?

[Ev0d3vil]

I want Alonso!

[SirVanhan]

Right now Formula 1 needs Hamilton vs Alonso at Mercedes. Hope Bernie will convince Toto.

[David1976]

Fred would be awesome.  For Formula 1 that would keep the chatter up over Christmas!

[David Lightman]

Alonso please. Surely everybody wants to see Toto and Niki try and manage that??

[blacky]

Yep, ALO vs. HAM. Title: end of an era!

[anyeis]

Bottas managed by Toto

Edited by anyeis, 02 December 2016 - 13:42.

[JHSingo]

So, after today's shock news, who do you want and who do you think will be Hamilton's team mate (presuming he sticks around as well ) next year?

[tagy22]

Alonso, and JB back to McLaren   

[Marklar]

Wehrlein. Everyone else has a contract. And I suspect this is why he did the tyre test this week too

Edited by Marklar, 02 December 2016 - 13:44.

[alframsey]

The Merc management have shows no signs of wanting to take risks previously so I don't see it being Alonso, no doubt it will be a clear number 2 driver.

[EndlessMotion]

This is the big question. After having to manage Nico and Lewis does Toto and the rest of the management team have the stomach for a couple of years of Lewis vs Fernando? Part of the reason Nico and Lewis were so difficult for them to manage was the fact there were no other teams or drivers to get involved in the championship fight. If the dominance is coming to an end with the regulation change it could be easier to manage the two best drivers on the grid.

 

Having Lewis as the clear top dog along side a younger driver would definitely make Mercedes life easier but then again if there is more competition next year they'll want the strongest line up they can get to rake in the points. Head says they'll get one of their young drivers in but my heart says get Jenson or Fernando in that seat

[FullOppositeLock]

It's going to be Wehrlein surely?

Wouldn't mind seeing Max alongside Lewis

Edited by FullOppositeLock, 02 December 2016 - 14:31.

[mercedessurearepopularnow]

Put yo hands up...

[Mark123]

If there is a mercedes seat. Has merc booked in for crash test yet?? Why did Rosberg want a 2 year deal to walk Away?

[Marklar]

Want Alonso. Will be Wehrlein

[LiftAndCoast]

Gutierrez!

I have spoken to him in the past, I think he is respectful he is the world champion, but he shouldn't do these kinds of things he should respect all of the competitors. You never know, maybe in the future I will be fighting a championship with him so he has to respect that.

Edited by LiftAndCoast, 02 December 2016 - 13:47.

[Riverside]

There's no way Lewis will be paired with anyone but Wehrlein   -   I see a repeat of the HK days at Mercedes with a clear #1 driver.

[David1976]

I could also see Jenson coming out of retirement for a year.  I am sure Hamilton would relish that in that he'd be a strong team mate and arguably a no2.  Yes he'd win races but Lewis wouldn't allow him to win a championship (reliability pending).  It'd be a win win.  McLaren need some money these days.  

[Frood]

Has Nigel Mansell retired yet?

[goingthedistance]

On reflection, I think Vettel would be really interesting. And there is long standing interest on both sides. But he is under contract.

 

The person I want to see there is Alonso, but again there is a contract. 

 

I suspect it will be Wehrlein and that will be disappointing, I think he's too inconsistent. 

[PlayboyRacer]

Surely Fernando....

Please let it happen. Everyone pray to the racing Gods.

[RPM40]

Imo a clear number 2 will actually help them win titles far easier. This may be the best thing that ever happened to Hamilton. He would see of Wehrlein with relative ease.

[KavB]

It surely has to be Alonso. Just make it happen.

I bet Hulkenberg is kicking himself. Force India would surely have let him go, but who knows if Mercedes would even have been interested.

Edited by KavB, 02 December 2016 - 13:48.

[dierome87]

My heart says Fernando, but they'll probably pick Werhlein.

 

They will want to avoid the problems they had with Lewis and Nico. Understandable, but boring.

 

Hopefully they won't have a dominant car next year. 

[Cyanide]

Will be very disappointed if it's Wehrlein.

[Bloggsworth]

When, in regard to Jenson's retirement, I suggested that the gap year may have something to do with Alonso leaving.

Edited by noikeee, 02 December 2016 - 15:32.

[NotSoSilentBob]

It will be a boring and undeserving choice, most likely Wehrlein. Unfortunately.

Clear No 1 and No 2 for Merc next year, Wehrlein will agree to any conditions and basically drive for free to get in that car. Mercedes won't open the chequebook to buy someone else out of their deal.

[ensign14]

Obvious, surely?  Which driver has recently retired?  So has no commitments and is surely able to get themselves back into shape to race?  One who has close links with the Mercedes teams owing to with whom they've worked in the past?

 

[Jon83]

A pregnant F1 driver?

[John Player]

ALONSO

[statman]

Haryanto folks

[Jamiednm]

To be fair, it would be hilarious if Alonso went to Merc and Merc loses competitiveness.

 

But, if he did, and Merc still retain even a slight advantage (as I suspect they will), then 2014-2016 will merely have been the hors d'oeuvre

[SPBHM]

Button would make sense, well or Bottas.

Edited by SPBHM, 02 December 2016 - 13:54.

[SenorSjon]

It's going to be Wehrlein surely?

 

Wouldn't mind seeing Max next to Lewis

 

Lewis would.

[sennafan24]

Pascal or Bottas have to be the early favourites. Alonso as rank outside.

 

The latter is the most exciting choice, and the one that will be best for the sport. But perhaps not Wolff's hairline. 

[Ellios]

This is all about contracts! 

[Kleli]

Surely it must be Wehrlein. He's a Mercedes driver, is free and I guess the Mercedes management would welcome a clear number 2 driver after the past seasons controversies.

[SirVanhan]

This is all about contracts! 

Let Monisha handle this 

[GrumpyYoungMan]

Button.

[NotSoSilentBob]

Mark Webber would look good in silver...

[Muzzyf1]

Surely Alonso !

[Cyanide]

For the sake of the sport, I would attempt to buy out Verstappen or Alonso from their current contracts.

 

However, Mercedes will surely choose Wehrlein. What a step for him if that's the case, however I think it will be a career suicide for him alongside Lewis. He'll go down the Kovalainen path.

[Peat]

This is all about contracts! 

 

They all have buy-out clauses. Every driver on the grid will be on hold to the Brackley switchboard right now. 

[Muzzyf1]

Weherlein god no how boring

[Kev00]

If they are concerned about Wehrlein then they will use the money they save on Nico's contract to buy Bottas from Williams. But I expect them to go for Wehrlein.

[Jon83]

Well VES might consider RBR as good a bet as Mercedes for the title next season, so not sure he would be easily convinced.

 

Alonso would surely be there in a heartbeat.

[tngy]

No matter who he will be, number 0 should return.

[Vesuvius]

Bottas or Wehrelrein, would put my money on the first.

[Timstr11]

Wherlein who was snubbed by Force India? Doubt it.