According to Spanish paper, Marca, Hamilton has vetoed the idea of a top driver, so Wehrlein will be his new teammate.
Shame, I would have liked to see Alonso or Vettel there, but Mercedes seem to be treating Hamilton like a princess now.
What made me laugh at Lewis was, after another engine failure, he threw his dummy out and said sort it or I quit. Know way would he of aloud them to put a top driver in the team either.According to Spanish paper, Marca, Hamilton has vetoed the idea of a top driver, so Wehrlein will be his new teammate.
Shame, I would have liked to see Alonso or Vettel there, but Mercedes seem to be treating Hamilton like a princess now.
What made me laugh at Lewis was, after another engine failure, he threw his dummy out and said sort it or I quit. Know way would he of aloud them to put a top driver in the team either.
I see Marca are also saying the Lowe is going to Williams.
A nice discount on future engines could help Mercedes's offer...
According to the BBC:
Williams driver Valtteri Bottas is Mercedes' first choice to replace Nico Rosberg as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate, BBC Sport has learned.
But Williams have rejected an initial offer to release Finn Bottas from his 2017 contract.
If Bottas goes Merc it shifts mercs problems to Williams A rookie and a ? who ever is left
According to Spanish paper, Marca, Hamilton has vetoed the idea of a top driver, so Wehrlein will be his new teammate.
Shame, I would have liked to see Alonso or Vettel there, but Mercedes seem to be treating Hamilton like a princess now.
A source said - Cough Lauda, cough not true. Just don't believe all you read.
I mean not the first time...
In an interview on Servus TV, Lauda said Hamilton had destroyed his driver room in Baku after crashing during qualifying, handing pole position to Rosberg. Lauda also claimed Hamilton's comments that his relationship with Rosberg was now "surprisingly good" were false, with the Mercedes non-executive chairman saying: "Lewis lied about this."
However, Lauda has now issued a statement denying those claims. The full statement distributed by Mercedes reads:
"Following his appearance on a television discussion show on Servus TV recorded prior to last weekend's Austrian GP, Niki Lauda would like to set the record straight and state the following:
"Niki regrets any misunderstanding caused by comments that have been blown wildly out of proportion compared with the casual context in which they were made."
- Lewis Hamilton did not in any way damage a hotel room or his private driver room at the circuit during the race weekend in Baku; and
- Lewis Hamilton did not lie about his relationship with team-mate Nico Rosberg.
/QUOTE]
I presume that you're saying that Lauda can't initially be trusted? I tend to trust what he says 'in the moment'.
He's far from PC & not afraid to speak his mind. Of course, later, when The Mercedes press arm swings into action, the last thing they want to see is stories that don't uphold their very conservative image, hence the 'retraction'.....I don't buy it.
Wehrlein must be the obvious choice, just because of the young drivers program. Theres a seat available and a valid spot for a qualified young driver thats come through the Mercedes young drivers program. If it doesn't go that way - what signals does that send to the other young drivers?
Also I don't see the issue. Red Bull will be strong this year - I doubt Mercedes will walk away with everything. Ferrari may actually design a good car, Honda may be up there and challenging if the engine gets more power. The chassis is very good.
Then the whole unknown about the new regs...
Wollf has said that they would've liked Wehrlein to have some time in a midfield car, before stepping up, which seems fair enough. Also, from a marketing point of view, switching from a 2 WDC team to an obvious 1 & 2, doesn't look that great, so I'm still hoping for someone to push Hamiton. Clearly there is a Wollf/Bottas link, & even when a driver has another contract in place, 100% rules themselves out, in F1 anything can happen!
I agree that RB will be one to watch next year, & new aero regs could throw up some surprises, but I think Mercedes still have some engine power in hand.
Lets hope for more parity, however that comes.
Maldanardo thinks he has a good chance of returning Not many seats left
Could this be the answer to Mercedes problem
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns35467.html
Oh I dont know everyone was complaining F1 was boring, this would certainly up the tv ratings 200 odd mph stockcar racing, whats not to likeDon't really want to see Crashdonaldo in a Merc. I can imagine the scenario at each GP. Crashdonaldo takes out HAM and himself at the first corner in every race. Merc and drivers score zero points and another team and driver win the WCC and WDC. Crashdonaldo back in F1 - er no thanks.
A team that is short of money may be interested in Maldonado, but I can't imagine an F1 team paying him!
Had a word with someone I know working at Williams, a friends son. Williams have no plans to let Bottas go. Pat Symonds has said its crucial for them to have Bottas with Stroll coming into the team.
I can't blame Williams if they can manage to get Mercedes to waive their engine fees for the year then thats a lot of cash saved (along with Bottas salary).
Seems to be suggestions that Massa could be back, although he's not as fast or good as Bottas but he's probably the best of a limited selection available (unless they can convince Button to come for a year)
The other bargaining chip Merc have is that it seems Paddy Lowe is all but certain to go to Williams but won't be allowed to join until next summer due to his contract, Mercedes allowing Lowe to join immediately could also be a good carrot to use in their negotiation.
According to Spanish paper, Marca, Hamilton has vetoed the idea of a top driver, so Wehrlein will be his new teammate.
Shame, I would have liked to see Alonso or Vettel there, but Mercedes seem to be treating Hamilton like a princess now.
Interview with Lewis published yesterday from Channel 4
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuYQAzqrv18
The Paddy Lowe business is interesting Its reported he cant come to an agreement over his future contract with Merc which negotiations have been on going for quite a while
What is he angling for, his rumored salary is £3m, advancement in the company? to what Brawn rolled over to let him in does he want Toto's job, or does he feel undermined by the holy two some and now Lewis
In terms of advancement who would step down from a top manufacturing team to a team that is going to be very lucky to hit third in the constructors
Me thinks there is more to this rumor than meets the eye
I can't blame Williams if they can manage to get Mercedes to waive their engine fees for the year then thats a lot of cash saved (along with Bottas salary).
The L'Equipe report also stated Mercedes is offering Williams an £8.4 million discount on its engine supply for next year. According to the BBC, Williams is "playing hardball" with Mercedes as it knows the world champions have a very narrow list of candidates given the timing of Rosberg's retirement
http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/...le-replacement