Is Alonso definitely out of the running for a Merc seat? I only ponder because Briatore said they would respect the contract with Mclaren which can be very different to honouring the contract. I want someone who will really challenge Lewis. Re Lauda in above comments, he is a waste of space, and Wolfe at Ferrari would def struggle but so would more experienced people, it's a culture issue. Having worked in Italy in the past the culture that is prevailing is recognisable. It is not a team but a collection/gathering of talented people.
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-f1-tech-chief-lowe-set-for-shock-williams-switch-858449/ Paddy Lowe off to Williams??
williams not giving up bottas. bottas will be crying. williams have a complete rookie beside him and no alternative either...
if mercedes knocked i could see him go for it as he might even win a couple races but not Williams. i don't see him swapping mcclaren in 10th for williams in 10th. If it comes to this i reckon mercedes will be cross as two British drivers would not be their desire but i nthe 12 months period they could do worse.
Button is the best option for this whole situation. "Jenson, you've got one year, a competitive car, and then that's it- you're done. Get back on the podium and walk away". He and Lewis have a fair relationship, it's the obvious short term option to buy time until Vettel becomes available or Wehrlein develops, he is quick and he's not a little diva. He'd bring home plenty of points. Crucially of course, he's raced these fast F1 cars before and can add to Hamiltons feedback. Problem is he sounded like he'd had enough.
Not606's poster boy Pastor Maldonado is apparently working on getting back into F1 for next year? but with who? Manor? Sauber? Williams?....Mercedes? (Please be Mercedes)
Apparently Massa is in talks to replace Bottas when Valterri goes to Mercedes. Thats my nightmare scenario in both seats really.
It makes sense though, but I agree. Williams are struggling from the football syndrome of big clubs snatching their talent.
I thimk Massa gooing back will be a mistake , but a good move for Bottas . He is very good IMHO , but has stagnated a bit . Perhaps joining a new tyeam will re-ignite his carrerr ?
I agree with both points. Massa was beaten comfortably by Bottas over the season and would only be a temporary solution. I think they'd be better going for Vergne or Buemi, and perhaps seeing if Massa wouldn't mind doing some pre-season testing. Bottas hasn't quite hit the heights that were perhaps expected of him, but there's not really that much between him, Hulk and Perez, so I can see why they'd take the most available option. It'll be really interesting to see how he stacks up.
To be fair he hasn't really had the car, Williams seem to have gone backwards all season. Agree that Massa would be an, ahem, Massa-ive mistake imo, Vergne would get the nod from me, everyone in F1 rates Ricciardo and there wasn't really that much between them, if luck had gone the other way Vergne might be the one in the RBR seat. Buemi, well he's got a WSC championship and Formula E championship under his belt, an he saw off Bourdais ,but in his last season he was fairly well beaten by Alguesuari, shame he retired (at 25) as he would've been another driver worth looking at.
Bottas was 22-22 in races both finished against Massa. Bring the same form against Hamilton and it will be 20-0.
Agreed- he isn't that good is he and benefitted from a fast out of the box, Mercedes powered Williams in 2014. He's not bad by any means, but he hasn't struck me as someone to deserve a Merc seat. Merc, assuming they don't buy Hulkenberg out of Renault, should go one year deal on someone and then prize Vettel. But there are so many ifs and buts.
