It's still very early, but Mercedes have an available seat for 2013 and even at this stage they must be looking at other drivers. There is a lot of talent to choose from: Raikkonen - His record proves that he has the talent, so as long as he can drive at the level he did in 03-06, Mercedes (and the other big teams) will have to look at him seriously and consider buying him out of his Renault contract. Kovalainen - He has continued to impress and his efforts may be rewarded in 2013. He has his eye on a new 2013 seat and outside the top four teams he is arguably the most impressive driver. Di Resta/ Hulkenburg - I'll be looking forward to this teammate battle next year, and whoever win the battle should be a strong contender to replace Schumacher. Massa - There is every chance he will improve and judging from comments by Domenicali a few months ago about the next Ferrari driver being a "talented youngster on the way up", Massa might already be on his way out regardless of what he does in 2012 (unless he does something drastic like outscore Alonso). If he can show his 2008 form, I'm sure Brawn and Costa wouldn't mind working with him again. Kubica - What if he doesn't get the Ferrari drive? He's still a top driver and could bring Mercedes a lot of success if he can get back to 100%. Hamilton - It seems unlikely that Mclaren will give him the boot (won't say anymore on that), but if McLaren don't deliver, could Hamilton start looking at other teams? Horner and Luca have both implied that they won't be working with Hamilton in the near future, but if Mercedes show progress in 2012, maybe they can woo him. Grosjean - He's not expected to beat Raikkonen, but if he does he will gain a lot of credibility and he could be promoted to Mercedes. Schumacher - He wasn't that far behind Rosberg in the WDC and as long as he doesn't get thrashed, would Brawn really want to replace him? Who do you expect to be Rosberg's teammate in 2013?
Alonso is the obvious choice. Unless they are forced to pick a second driver then it will be Alonso and Massa.
sorry forza , my coffin is calling me mate , very thoughtful insightful topic that deserves a considered reply , afraid i am to tired to do your topic the justice it deserves right now - i will give you a proper reply tomorrow tea time mate --
Well... Unless there is a good showing by Mercedes in 2012, I do wonder if Schumacher will carry on in 2013. A move to Merc by Hamilton is something I've wondered about and something that really wouldn't surprise me if it happened. There are some ties there and it wouldn't be something beyond the realms of possibility. If they picked from the current crop(2011 crop) and wanted another German, then Sutil could be a good #2 pick if Rosberg stays. I guess it depends on what they are shopping for at the time. If Mercedes miraculously come out with a good car next year, they could have many drivers knocking on their door. edit: Sticking my neck on the line and going for Hamilton.
Here's another thought... Would it be possible for Mercedes to lure Vettel? I know there has been talk of him wanting to drive for Ferrari at some point in his career, but the lure of winning the WDC in a German car must be a carrot that he'd be tempted to go for if dangled.
Cannot see it being anyone but di Resta, unless Hulkenberg destroys him next year (which I doubt), he has Mercedes' support and is clearly quick, plus Rosberg will want to be no. 1 which, I'd say, rules out any of the "top" drivers. (I'm assuming Schumacher will leave. Which I'd certainly hope is the case, another year of tarnishing his legacy and keeping a seat from a more deserving young driver will benefit no-one) Reckon Massa's career is going to take the Barichello route. I can see him swapping with Perez next year and taking over the lead Sauber seat. (Where that would leave Kobayashi is anyone's guess) Kovalainen is an interesting case. He was never good enough for the Mclaren drive, but he is clearly outdriving the Caterham. If Raikkonen's comeback goes badly I can see him back at Renault. Also, until we find out who's in the lead Williams seat (and more importantly, how long their contract is), then the rumours going round that Sutil only has a one-year contract might affect things as well.
I can see either one of the Force India drivers getting the seat. Probably the one that beat's the other. I would also like to see Kovalainen back in a big team, though there is a danger he could drive like he did with Mclaren.
I think it will be Sutil. There are rumours going round that Senna might get the Williams seat, so I hope Sutil takes the reserve role at Mercedes and gets the drive for 2013.
I think Nico's at his level with Mercedes. Ferrari and Red Bull both seem keen to bring young drivers into the team. I can't see him moving until JB retires and then McLaren might have a look at him, the driver market will probably be very different by then though.
i think that sutil could well be up for that seat. he is asking for a one year contract for 2013 because ferrari has apparently shown an interest in him for 2013 if massa leaves (i dont think anyone here is going to bet against the exit of massa). it could be interesting to see sutil in a car near the top, i think that he only needs one chance to prove it.
Which one? Red Bull will put Ricciardo or Alguersuari in, Ferrari will put Perez or Bianchi in, and Mclaren have two drivers tied down to long-term contracts.
An interesting topic of debate Forza. Of course, it is very early to speculate but at the moment I would suggest di Resta as the most likely. Obviously this will be dependant upon a good showing this year, which, at least for his own peace of mind will require him to come out on top against Hulkenberg. I think this is more likely than the other way around, but if the latter can make a better go of it, who knows; perhaps he will be on his way to Germany's most historic team? I cannot see it being Raikkönen and highly unlikely to be Massa. Schumacher may hang on of course, and with him being such a big draw for sponsors, I feel the decision will continue to be almost exclusively his. The outside bet would be Kovalainen, who although overshadowed by Hamilton is a seriously good driver, somewhat undervalued since those high-profile McLaren days. We should do well to bear in mind that he is seriously quick: a good qualifier who occasionally got the better of Hamilton.
I'd like Kovalainen to get another chance in a competitive car, and I think his performances in the last two seasons warrant attention from a bigger team. By his own admission, he underperformed at Mclaren, and maybe it was too much too soon for him. Given another chance though, I think he is now mature enough to handle the pressure, and quick enough to really push a car to it's limits. I'd be very interested to see him in even a mildly competitive car soon. In 2011 he dragged his Lotus into positions it had no right to be in, despite being half a second or more slower in absolute pace. In a true midfield car, I'd like to see whether he can do the same thing, but that could mean the difference between 7th and 15th, rather than 15th or 17th. With regards the Mercedes seat though, I agree with the majority that di Resta has to be in the best position to take it. I can't see Rosberg going anywhere myself.
