Formula 1 2017: General Discussion Thread

NATLOR wrote: »

Wolff has said they are considering Alonso. Vettel has ruled himself out

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/347756/

If there's no "number 2" then that rules out Ocon or Werhlein. It might also rule out Bottas, though he has a higher ranking than the other two.

If Alonso does do one and go to Merc, who will step in at McLaren? It's a pretty big seat to fill. And with Button gone, it'd have to be someone experienced.

McLaren said no to a move of Alonso, very clear and blunt. Williams also might want to keep Bottas as Stroll is new and inexperienced. So that might help Wehrlein again.

KC161 wrote: »

Money talks in F1 though, regardless of how much a team has they can never have enough.

Alonso hasn't a hope of winning a third title in a McLaren.

Whats the alternative to Alonso for McLaren? Mercedes can pay Millions for him, but will McLaren go into a new season with two rookies or one rookie and someone who recently retired? Very unlikely, if Alonso has no clause to leave the team, I cannot see them releasing him.
Cause who with experience is on the market? Maldonado, Gutierrez, Vergne ...

Kobayashi! That'd make for some very interesting on-track encounters with Verstappen...

The most suitable candidate would certainly been the other Nico, The Hulk, but I can't imagine AMG being able to pry him out of a just-signed Renault contract.

The situation is actually very complex:

- Wehrlein or Ocon would be logical, easy choices; I feel Mercedes would go for the second over the first; It's entirely possible we'll see a merry-go-round with Ocon bumped to the Silver Arrow, and Wehrlein filling in at Force India;

- Alonso or Vettel are a difficult proposition due to contracts; In which case, I feel Seb would be easier to pry away from Ferrari (read - team more willing to let him go...for the right amount of money);

- Bottas might be an easier option than many think, he's under Wolff's management;

- The Button option can't be discarded entirely, it would be fairly logical as a one-year stopgap choice - relatively available, still capable of scoring solid points, pick up the odd win and so on; I however do feel JB doesn't want much to do with driving in F1 anymore...

- It's entirely possible AMG Mercedes will look outside of F1; Buemi and Vergne are entirely plausible choices, all else failing, in case they don't want to rely on a youngster;

Stallingrad wrote: »

Big and slow.

The car is slow sure, but Alonso certainly isn't.

Bring back Nick Heidfeld.

Could Paul Di Resta fit in to the equation? Test driver for Williams and drives touring cars for Mercedes

I predict Bottas gets the Mercedes seat, Nasr gets Williams. Wehrlein to stay at Manor with Gutierrez. Haryanto takes the second Sauber seat.

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I don't know I still don't rate Bottas, he really hasn't show me anything that shows me that he is a future champion.

He's not. He'd be a solid number 2. But apparently Mercedes don't want that.

Ghost Train wrote: »

I see on planetf1 that Massa has said he'd come out of retirement for a Mercedes drive.

Wouldn't they all. I hear Mansell is on the playstation learning all the new tracks.