Formula 1 2017: General Discussion Thread

Firewalkwithme · 02-12-2016 03:03PM

TheDoctor wrote: »

I hear Button is free

I was just about to post that. Would be great to see him get it.

jayo26 · 02-12-2016 03:03PM

Probably in the minority here and I'm probably wrong but I think rosberg retiring some him up.

Yeh he is going out as a world champion but he is going out after getting beaten in the last four races and it would of been five only for Hamiltons car gave up when he was leading.

He has given up after becoming world champion after winning less races in the season then his team mate.

I just think it shows a lack of fight that he has he was never able to fight when he really needed to he Bearley did enough to win the world championship he didn't even try push Hamilton in the last race even tho he had two cars closing in behind him that could take away his world championship.

Now if Hamilton does go on to win his fourth next year it will always be thrown at him oh you wouldn't of done it if nico was around.

Just my thoughts.

jv2000 · 02-12-2016 03:09PM

Whilst this is very initially surprising I don't think anybody (if we look deep down) can be too surprised by this. Rosberg obviously gave it his max this year and luck was on his side. I was delighted to see him beat Hamilton and it made a very bad season somewhat interesting especially considering the lack of threat to Merc from Ferrari and Red Bull.

I was getting geared up for Hamilton to be sacked but this may have saved him. So what next? Not having a German driver is a bit of a tough one for Merc, that would put Werlein in pole position so to speak but maybe Vettel could be persuaded. I somehow suspect having the two most immature drivers on the grid in the same team may be a bit too much for Merc especially when they clash on track and start a new inter-team rivalry.

What I would love to see is Alonso getting the seat and Button getting another season in the McClaren. Second to that if Merc were to somehow convince Verstappen then that would be excellent. Despite what I said above about Vet and Ham, it would be great to see them battle it out in equal machinery.

Glico Man · 02-12-2016 03:10PM

Having conflicting thoughts about his decision, but ultimately I keep coming back to think its a good move for him. He wanted to become a world champion throughout his life, and he did. He made that dream come true. It was a stressful and draining race for him in Abu Dhabi. You could see that at the end of the race and he has a young family. He surely knows another year racing with Lewis et al would take a lot out of him and his family. He goes out at the very, very top of his game and the sport.

Takes a lot of balls to do that.

LollipopJimmy · 02-12-2016 03:11PM

Merc could be looking at this as a blessing in disguise. They now have an opportunity to have a clear number 1 and number 2 driver.

How long will it be now since we had a car with the Number 1 on it?

Stallingrad · 02-12-2016 03:11PM

Kind of makes sense, he never came across as being passionate about the sport, or having the fire that drives Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, etc. Maybe he was chasing a path that his father set him on and now he has nothing left to prove, and can start doing something he really enjoys. He's a likable bloke but F1 won't miss him I'm afraid.

Jordan 199 · 02-12-2016 03:16PM

prettyboy81 wrote: »

Put Alonso in that Merc please please please!!!

As much as I would like that to happen, I don't think it will.

kopite386 · 02-12-2016 03:19PM

AMKC wrote: »

The big question has has been said his who will get that seat now. Could Mclaren bring Jenson back for a year and let Alonso go if he wants to and gets the deal to Mercedes.
They have loads of options no doubt am sure even Kimi and Vettel will be interested in it too.
Danial Riccardo maybe?

My first thought was Vettel to Merc and Daniel Riccardio to Ferrari, I would like to see Alonso get it though but have a feeling he won't

jv2000 · 02-12-2016 03:19PM

Stallingrad wrote: »

Kind of makes sense, he never came across as being passionate about the sport, or having the fire that drives Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, etc. Maybe he was chasing a path that his father set him on and now he has nothing left to prove, and can start doing something he really enjoys. He's a likable bloke but F1 won't miss him I'm afraid.

Also being outgoing F1 world champion will probably mean he will easily walk into a top WEC team. I am sure there is a Merc seat for him in DTM as well whenever he wants it.

kopite386 · 02-12-2016 03:20PM

Jordan 199 wrote: »

As much as I would like that to happen, I don't think it will.

My sentiments exactly would love to see Alonso get the seat but have a gut feeling that he wont

gitzy16v · 02-12-2016 03:21PM

And no #1 car for another season

donspeekinglesh · 02-12-2016 03:24PM

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Did anyone else think it was strange in the podium interview when he cried as he said his dad would be arriving at the track soon... Soon! What in the bane of sweet suffering Jesus was Keke Rosberg doing on Sunday, that was more important than being at the race when his son might win the world championship?

Keke was watching the race nearby: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/127306/keke-rosberg-stayed-away-from-title-decider

Next year will be the first time there'll be no reigning champion on the grid since 1994 (I think).

Harika · 02-12-2016 03:30PM

I think the replacement can be broken down to what Mercedes want:

1. Promote their juniors, easy to get and quite well performing - Ocon, Wehrlein
2. As there are new cars, they might want someone with experience who is a proven team player: Button or Bottas
3. They want ultra competitiveness: Alonso or Vettel. Both could have exit clauses something that I don't see with Riccardio or Verstappen, and if RedBull keeps Sainz away from Renault, you can image how likely they will say yes to one of them jumping ship.

Jordan 199 · 02-12-2016 03:31PM

donspeekinglesh wrote: »

Next year will be the first time there'll be no reigning champion on the grid since 1994 (I think).

That would be right. That's probably why Damon ran with '0' on his Williams in 1994.

Kevski · 02-12-2016 03:33PM

This makes McLaren's contract situation all the more interesting. I'd love to see Alonso get the drive but I'm sure it would take a lot of money to prise him of his contract. Plus, would Merc be prepared for the potential headaches that an Alonso/Hamilton combo could bring?

Alternatively, I'd also be delighted to see Button get a one year contract!

skipper_G · 02-12-2016 03:34PM

Harika wrote: »

I think the replacement can be broken down to what Mercedes want:

1. Promote their juniors, easy to get and quite well performing - Ocon, Wehrlein
2. As there are new cars, they might want someone with experience who is a proven team player: Button or Bottas
3. They want ultra competitiveness: Alonso or Vettel. Both could have exit clauses something that I don't see with Riccardio or Verstappen, and if RedBull keeps Sainz away from Renault, you can image how likely they will say yes to one of them jumping ship.

Or what if there's option 4 ?
They signed Rio Haryanto 6 months ago and he's been working in the simulator on the 2017 car non stop

AnneFrank · 02-12-2016 03:34PM

jayo26 wrote: »

Probably in the minority here and I'm probably wrong but I think rosberg retiring some him up.

Yeh he is going out as a world champion but he is going out after getting beaten in the last four races and it would of been five only for Hamiltons car gave up when he was leading.

He has given up after becoming world champion after winning less races in the season then his team mate.

I just think it shows a lack of fight that he has he was never able to fight when he really needed to he Bearley did enough to win the world championship he didn't even try push Hamilton in the last race even tho he had two cars closing in behind him that could take away his world championship.

Now if Hamilton does go on to win his fourth next year it will always be thrown at him oh you wouldn't of done it if nico was around.

Just my thoughts.

I think he was born rich and his dream was simply the title, He has a young family and doesn't need the cash. I'm still shocked though, but not unhappy i never really liked the chap

skipper_G · 02-12-2016 03:35PM

Kevski wrote: »

This makes McLaren's contract situation all the more interesting. I'd love to see Alonso get the drive but I'm sure it would take a lot of money to prise him of his contract. Plus, would Merc be prepared for the potential headaches that an Alonso/Hamilton combo could bring?

Alternatively, I'd also be delighted to see Button get a one year contract!

If I was Fernando I'd be offering to drive for free to both Mercedes & McLaren. Which ever has the fastest car come testing time

Kevski · 02-12-2016 03:38PM

skipper_G wrote: »

If I was Fernando I'd be offering to drive for free to both Mercedes & McLaren. Which ever has the fastest car come testing time

Did he wait to see what the McLaren was like in testing a couple of years ago before making a decision on a sabbatical or am I imagining that?

EDit · 02-12-2016 03:38PM

Fair play to him, it's a brave decision. However, I think he will be sorely missed by the F1 hierarchy and press next year. Not because he's the greatest driver but because they used the whole Hamilton vs Rosberg rivalry to try to add the "spice" that so many of the races were lacking and to try to keep the fans interested (think about how many column inches have been dedicated to that rivalry over the last few years, especially in the U.K. press).

Best thing for the sport would be if Vettel gets the seat and the RB cars catch up...we could end up with "spice" both on and off the track and a 4-way battle for the title

Jordan 199 · 02-12-2016 03:38PM

prettyboy81 wrote: »

They might want a German in the car. Vettel could be tempted & Ferrari could be happy to negotiate.

I hope Alonso gets the drive.

Ralf Schumacher to come out of retirement

Harika · 02-12-2016 03:39PM

Kevski wrote: »

Did he wait to see what the McLaren was like in testing a couple of years ago before making a decision on a sabbatical or am I imagining that?

I think that was going around but as the McLaren was not driving for the first 5-6 test! days, it would have been hard.

Red Kev · 02-12-2016 03:40PM

Give the seat to Daniel Ricciardo. His sunny disposition, permanent smile and talent would wind Hamilton up no end. It would be a laugh.

On a more serious note Ricciardo would suit Mercedes marketing people down to the ground with his image. They're trying big time the past 5 years to market Mercs to a far younger demographic and Ricciardo would be right up their Street.

CFlat · 02-12-2016 03:41PM

Only just heard on the radio. That really was a bolt out of nowhere. I wouldn't put him up there with the likes of Jenson retiring re impact on the sport when he's gone but the ninja way he's done it, just after winning the WDC will be talked about for a long time. Maybe that's in his mind.

meeeeh · 02-12-2016 03:45PM

I would love to see Verstapen in Merc. I don't like either him or Hamilton but it would be a fun season. Probably for all the wrong reasons.

PukkaStukka · 02-12-2016 03:46PM

I think it is a mark of a real champ to stand up and call time on his career before his career calls time on him. Nobody seems to be criticising his rationale for quitting which too seems to be perfectly understandable.

I do think though that, had he started next year like he did this year, it would probably been Hamilton walking away. A shame he's going but who won't wish him health and happiness in his retirement.

ItsChecoTime · 02-12-2016 03:52PM

The announcement leaves the potential for varying outcomes next season.

Could have a fabulous season with a drivers championship battle between multiple teams and a big rivalry at Mercedes if Vettel or Alonso were to go there.

Alternatively it could be a procession if Mercedes continue to dominate and a clear number 2 driver goes there with Hamilton just walking the title

AnneFrank · 02-12-2016 03:53PM

I'd love to see Verstappen aswell, just please not that smiling buffoon D Ricciardo

muckwarrior · 02-12-2016 03:54PM

PukkaStukka wrote: »

A shame he's going but who won't wish him health and happiness in his retirement.

Lots of butt-hurt Hamilton fans.

skipper_G · 02-12-2016 04:01PM

I don't think Mercedes have enough faith in Wehrlein to put him in that seat, he hasn't shown anything that says he's an outstanding talent.

Bottas might be a realistic option, Mercedes could send Wehrlein to Williams and some engine discounts in exchange for releasing Bottas.

Formula 1 2017: General Discussion Thread

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