Niko Rosberg retires !!!
Posted by: Allan Milne on 02 December 2016
Wow - didn't see this coming ...
I wonder where Merc will go for a replacement ... Jensen?
........... smoke screen, keeps the chattering classes distracted while the real business gets done.
Apparently, Alonso is offering to trade in his Honda jazz and give a lump sum in order to get the drive with mercedes... smacks of desperation 
Probably better off without the trade in go for a straight cash deal.
Well he was offered a Red Bull drive first.
However...
JamieWednesday posted:Well he was offered a Red Bull drive first.
However...
Brilliant
McLaren boss playing brinkmanship, a deal always gets done if it is what everyone wants, I can see Alonso getting this done and it does appear he gave McLaren all he had for that dog of an engine.
He'll have some performance type clause and activate a release via some money into McLaren coffers. McLaren can't promise him diddly next year so he'll be off.
He can't sign a pre-contract for 2018 it will make him less likely to bother trying for 2017, I say he signs, and soon too.
Adam Zielinski posted:Huge posted:Nie byłoby zbyt pewne taniec na rurze.
Best I can do with Google translate!
Hmmm.... Google needs some work methinks.
Happy birthday Robert.
Sky have reported that Mercedes will not announce Nico Rosberg's replacement until January at the earliest. Valtteri Bottas remains the front-runner for the seat but its believes Williams have rejected the initial approach.
OK initial approach, so what are the cards on the table? I don't see Vettel or Alonso moving so I'm not betting on them. But as I've said in my previous post, Totto Wolf manages Pascal Wehrlein & he must be a card in Mercedes hand to offer as a Williams driver along with a better engine deal in exchange for Bottas? The downside is without Bottas & Massa retired, Williams will not have any experienced driver for 2017; but the rumour mill is talking about Williams chatting to Massa about reconsidering his retirement, plus I believe Sainz & Nasr are still open for both Mercedes & Williams & what about a return for Paul di Resta?
Interesting times, 3rd Jan 2017 might be the day to watch.
Today 15th Dec, BBC are reporting Williams willing to let Bottas go Mercedes, if there is a "credible " replacement available. Speculation is they are trying to get Massa back.
BigH47 posted:Today 15th Dec, BBC are reporting Williams willing to let Bottas go Mercedes, if there is a "credible " replacement available. Speculation is they are trying to get Massa back.
Massa has said that he still wanted to race next year, so if its only for one year, he'd be able to help train up the new Canadian and know that his time is fixed. He seems to be the sort of person who would want to help in Williams time of need, especially when they get a 50% discount on their engine that they could put his way, and it would keep sponsors Martini happy.
The following year driver line up could see a lot of changes knowing Williams want an experienced driver.
As I speculated in a previous post, its reported in the press today that Massa has accepted an offer to return to Williams for 2017. That paves the way for Bottas to move to Mercedes.
Mike-B posted:As I speculated in a previous post, its reported in the press today that Massa has accepted an offer to return to Williams for 2017. That paves the way for Bottas to move to Mercedes.
I think you could well be right.... Bottas is in talks with mercedes...
Yup, Bottas to Merc, Massa delays his retirement to help Williams out.
This could be fun. If Mercedes continue to let them race. each other. It's Hamilton's title to lose by the look of it.
The 2017 cars will be brutal to drive with so much more power & grip - probably a bit too much cornering force than is good for them &/or the driver. Should be fun to watch - I hope