Formula 1 2017: General Discussion Thread

AMKC · 02-12-2016 04:11PM

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

But the only way to know that is to drive the cars in testing and unless both teams were kean to share and let him do that which I don,t think they would be I can,t see that happening.

skipper_G · 02-12-2016 04:13PM

AMKC wrote: »

But the only way to know that is to drive the cars in testing and unless both teams were kean to share and let him do that which I don,t think they would be I can,t see that happening.

Oh I know, was just some light hearted musing on my part

skipper_G · 02-12-2016 04:15PM

Spare a thought for Nico Hulkenburg, seat would have been his surely had he not already signed for Renault.

Roadhawk · 02-12-2016 04:16PM

I would say there is a lot more to Nico's retirement than what we currently know through the media. It doesn't really make sense...he only signed a 2 year contract earlier this year? He will never race (F1) as a champion?

Roadhawk · 02-12-2016 04:22PM

AnneFrank wrote: »

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

I doubt it would be either Verstappen or Ricciardo. With the new rules next year Red Bull should have very competitive cars. I'd pay good money to see Hamilton and Verstappen on the same team though. Plenty of action.

Glico Man · 02-12-2016 04:24PM

Roadhawk wrote: »

I would say there is a lot more to Nico's retirement than what we currently know through the media. It doesn't really make sense...he only signed a 2 year contract earlier this year? He will never race (F1) as a champion?

I wouldn't think theres more than meets the eye with this announcement. Everything we know, or have heard has come directly from Nico himself. His decision makes perfect sense when you read his FB statement and watch the press conference of him from Vienna.

He won the title, achieved his dream. He doesn't have anything else to accomplish and retires at the very top.

weisses · 02-12-2016 04:26PM

meeeeh wrote: »

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.

Not liking Verstappen equals not liking formula 1 IMO ... He was one of the few reasons last season was watchable

Richard Hillman · 02-12-2016 04:31PM

He'll definitely continue to race. He'll probably do Le Man's or something similar. Just not something that takes up the entire year.

With the increased F1 schedule, I can see this happening a lot more often. Since Nico started in f1, the season has been extended by a whole month. Grand for a 21 year old, not so much for a 31 year old.

There could be other stuff going on in his life too. Must be tough on his relationship with his wife in that they are bringing the child around the world and even then they are apart during the race weekend nights.

F1 ain't as glamorous for a young father.

meeeeh · 02-12-2016 05:04PM

weisses wrote: »

Not liking Verstappen equals not liking formula 1 IMO ... He was one of the few reasons last season was watchable

I didn't say I don't think he is good. I find him annoying. That is a nonsense statement, loads of Senna fans didn't like Prost and vice versa but you can't say they didn't enjoy their racing.

Frank Bullitt · 02-12-2016 06:24PM

Anyone thinking that Max will be in the running for the Merc seat, Red Bull will have him vacuum sealed to the team. Not only that, but RB are placed fairly well to do next year as well, so why would he leave?

I see maybe a one year deal for someone, and then a certain Mr.Vettel not wanting to renew his Ferrari contract.

Frank Bullitt · 02-12-2016 06:36PM

Another thing to consider, Bottas is managed by Wolff, so there could be an option there as well.

OldMrBrennan83 · 02-12-2016 06:47PM

This post has been deleted.

Frank Bullitt · 02-12-2016 06:49PM

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/how-2016-convinced-rosberg-retire

Good read on Rosbergs decision to retire.

Cool_CM · 02-12-2016 06:51PM

Glico Man wrote: »

I wouldn't think theres more than meets the eye with this announcement. Everything we know, or have heard has come directly from Nico himself. His decision makes perfect sense when you read his FB statement and watch the press conference of him from Vienna.

He won the title, achieved his dream. He doesn't have anything else to accomplish and retires at the very top.

Exactly. And unlike Prost and Mansell, mentioned in the 2016 thread, it appears as if his retirement is completely on his own terms.

Glico Man · 02-12-2016 06:56PM

Gintonious wrote: »

Another thing to consider, Bottas is managed by Wolff, so there could be an option there as well.

Gintonious wrote: »

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/how-2016-convinced-rosberg-retire

Good read on Rosbergs decision to retire.

From that article; Bottas to Merc, with Werhlein heading to Williams + a deal on engines seems like a good deal for Mercedes. And Williams for that matter.

Rio Haryanto the surprise return to Manor? Or Crashtor has found a new sponsor

skipper_G · 02-12-2016 07:07PM

My money is on Bottas to Mercedes, Wehrlein to Williams.

And a lifeline for Nasr, he has a chance at the second Manor seat, assuming he finds more cash than Jordan King. Gutierrez taking the other Manor seat and Haryanto to Sauber

Jordan 199 · 02-12-2016 07:10PM

Cool_CM wrote: »

Exactly. And unlike Prost and Mansell, mentioned in the 2016 thread, it appears as if his retirement is completely on his own terms.

Would it be fair to say that Nico is content and at ease with himself now that he accomplished his goal?

H3llR4iser · 02-12-2016 07:16PM

Jordan 199 wrote: »

Would it be fair to say that Nico is content and at ease with himself now that he accomplished his goal?

He seems to be. I've seen his conference in Geneva and his Facebook post, that's a guy who's really happy with whatever is going on, that's quite obvious. Relaxed and smiling.

I will admit - when I initially read the news I immediately thought that would have been the fallout of the whole Mercedes internal struggle about the Abu Dhabi events, but it's clearly not.

Also, in one specific (written) interview Nico says that, in the week before Abu Dhabi, he told both Toto Wolff and Hamilton he was going to retire if he won the title...

TL;DR - if many wives hear the interview where Nico goes on about how hard it's been for his wife, her letting him have all the peace and quiet in the world while taking care of the little girl alone and so on, there are going to be plenty of husbands sleeping on couches throughout Europe tonight

RobertKK · 02-12-2016 07:20PM

Was away the past few hours, was watching the BBC news after Pointless, and the headline surprised me.

Nico must feel he has achieved what he can in F1.
Good luck to him and his future.

El_Duderino 09 · 02-12-2016 07:45PM

Button's finished. There are plenty more exciting drivers who would liven up the sport. Button's a great guy but the sport needs more new Verstappens, not more old Buttons

boardsuser1 · 02-12-2016 08:24PM

I think Wehrlein is too inexperienced to go up against Hamilton. Hopefully Alonso gets the seat with Mercedes. reignite the 2007 war all over again.

Oh wishful thinking :pac:

Ghost Train · 02-12-2016 09:06PM

Jordan 199 wrote: »

Would it be fair to say that Nico is content and at ease with himself now that he accomplished his goal?

Hope he is, hopefully he doesn't regret the decision down the line, seems very soon after the highs of last week to make big decision like this. But then again he did say he's been thinking about it since Japan.

Jordan 199 · 02-12-2016 09:10PM

KC161 wrote: »

I think Wehrlein is too inexperienced to go up against Hamilton. Hopefully Alonso gets the seat with Mercedes. reignite the 2007 war all over again.

Oh wishful thinking :pac:

I think Bernie could be instrumental in getting Alonso the seat at Mercedes.

El_Duderino 09 · 02-12-2016 09:12PM

KC161 wrote:

I think Wehrlein is too inexperienced to go up against Hamilton. Hopefully Alonso gets the seat with Mercedes. reignite the 2007 war all over again.

That's the last thing they want. A nice no2 driver to help Hamilton to the title. In fairness it would he an advantage over the red bulls because they don't have a no1-no2 driver.

It's a new formula next year but it's only the chassis that's changing. If put money in red bull being very close to merc next week year. Though they're still likely to give up some engine power to Mercedes.

skipper_G · 02-12-2016 09:14PM

Ghost Train wrote: »

Hope he is, hopefully he doesn't regret the decision down the line, seems very soon after the highs of last week to make big decision like this. But then again he did say he's been thinking about it since Japan.

He doesn't strike me as impulsive so it gives some hope that he will not regret it. But I echo your sentiment

Top Dog · 02-12-2016 09:24PM

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Also, in one specific (written) interview Nico says that, in the week before Abu Dhabi, he told both Toto Wolff and Hamilton he was going to retire if he won the title..

He seriously told Hamilton in advance? Seems a very strange thing to do :eek:

thierry14 · 02-12-2016 09:28PM

Nico mustn't be too excited with the changes to the cars next year ðŸ˜€

Who is?

It's good for F1 in a way now with the story on front page news, but bad if he joins another Motorsport with the changes in F1 next season supposedly making faster than ever.

If the current F1 champion cant be bothered, that's bad publicity.

Anyone think next years cars will lap quicker in qualifying and in race than then peak 04/05 V10's?

Amazing that they are heavier again at 720kg

jayo26 · 02-12-2016 09:39PM

Mercedes could totally change tactics and higher a number 2 driver but for the sake of formula 1 they need to have someone to challenge Lewis I can't see where they already going to get one.

NATLOR · 02-12-2016 09:54PM

I'd love to see Vettel get the seat.The two biggest divas in the same team would make for a very interesting season.

boardsuser1 · 02-12-2016 10:52PM

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

That's the last thing they want. A nice no2 driver to help Hamilton to the title. In fairness it would he an advantage over the red bulls because they don't have a no1-no2 driver.

It's a new formula next year but it's only the chassis that's changing. If put money in red bull being very close to merc next week year. Though they're still likely to give up some engine power to Mercedes.

As Jordan 199 said, a certain Bernie has probably rang Ferrari already and insisted he is on the way to Brackley.

Having a clear number 1 and number 2 driver in a very dominant car can be boring. watching the Bull's and Merc's going at it was fantastic to see.

All that would happen with Alonso/Hamilton if it were to happen would essentially be a continuation of the Rosberg/Hamilton battle,lets face it,those 2 haven't lost any love for each other since 2007.

On a side note of interest Mercedes have always had at least 1 German in the car since they returned in 2010, will they continue that trend officially? hopefully not.

All I can say is Alonso to Mercedes would be mouth watering next season.

Formula 1 2017: General Discussion Thread

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