Hamilton's 2017 team-mate will be...

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 02 Dec 2016, 16:10

It's up to you! Submit who you'd like to see replace Nico here.

Enforcer · Post by **Enforcer** » 02 Dec 2016, 18:29

I had difficulty deciding between Alex Zanardi and Tommy Byrne.

dinizintheoven · Post by **dinizintheoven** » 02 Dec 2016, 18:31

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 02 Dec 2016, 18:34

Susie Wolff, Simona de Silvestro and Carmen Jorda were all suggested, but not by me!

dinizintheoven wrote:

Of course. D'uh!

Dj_bereta · Post by **Dj_bereta** » 02 Dec 2016, 21:51

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 02 Dec 2016, 23:16

I had a dream some years ago about a celebrity driving a Mercedes around Abu Dhabi on a F1 weekend, that celebrity was none other than Lana del Rey, in my dream she came second, just behind Alonso, so why not give her a go? it can't be hard for her to get a superlicense

novitopoli · Post by **novitopoli** » 02 Dec 2016, 23:51

Sean Gelael. Jagonya Ayam! Mercedes AMG F1, please.

Meatwad · Post by **Meatwad** » 03 Dec 2016, 00:28

AdrianBelmonte_ wrote:I had a dream some years ago about a celebrity driving a Mercedes around Abu Dhabi on a F1 weekend, that celebrity was none other than Lana del Rey, in my dream she came second, just behind Alonso, so why not give her a go? it can't be hard for her to get a superlicense

One thing is certain: she would at least be faster than Carmen Jordá. And she mentions driving a gold ( :?:

) Mercedes-Benz in one of her songs so it's confirmed!

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 03 Dec 2016, 08:51

Meatwad wrote:
AdrianBelmonte_ wrote:I had a dream some years ago about a celebrity driving a Mercedes around Abu Dhabi on a F1 weekend, that celebrity was none other than Lana del Rey, in my dream she came second, just behind Alonso, so why not give her a go? it can't be hard for her to get a superlicense

One thing is certain: she would at least be faster than Carmen Jordá. And she mentions driving a gold ( ) Mercedes-Benz in one of her songs so it's confirmed!

Wait, it was a gold Mercedes? what if she just got it wrong and was driving a Renault instead?

She probably didn't see that coming

Fetzie · Post by **Fetzie** » 03 Dec 2016, 09:32

I think it is most likely to be Bottas. Wolff is on his management team and if Toto thought it was difficult to manage Hamilton and Rosberg in the same team he won't want to have to deal with the egos of Alonso or Vettel colliding with that if Hamilton (and he would have to buy them out of their contracts).

Wehrlein is also supposed to be quite a difficult character to manage, I'm also not sure he would accept a supporting role in the team (even if he is technically an equal team member for Hamilton, he isn't as fast).

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 03 Dec 2016, 09:42

Only one choice for me. The man who originally lost out on a Mercedes drive. A very exciting driver, even if said driver gets slightly bored at times.

Nick Heidfeld!!!!

Scrap Thistlethwayte · Post by **Scrap Thistlethwayte** » 03 Dec 2016, 12:11

I know a certain lady drive with little to no experience but I think she'd be perfect. She's British but has strong German family ties so would be appealing to sponsors. She's also been hit with a £350m bill for building work so need the dosh. And she already has a generous tax agreement with her local office so she wouldn't need to move to Monaco.

I give you her Maj Queen Elizabeth II

If there's a better old lady who could thrash the field while Hamilton picks up title number 4 I'd like to meet her.

Post by **mario** » 03 Dec 2016, 13:28

Fetzie wrote:I think it is most likely to be Bottas. Wolff is on his management team and if Toto thought it was difficult to manage Hamilton and Rosberg in the same team he won't want to have to deal with the egos of Alonso or Vettel colliding with that if Hamilton (and he would have to buy them out of their contracts).

Wehrlein is also supposed to be quite a difficult character to manage, I'm also not sure he would accept a supporting role in the team (even if he is technically an equal team member for Hamilton, he isn't as fast).

Even if Mercedes were contemplating hiring one of those drivers, you would have to assume that Ferrari and McLaren would both be extremely unwilling to release either driver from their contracts for next year, making it quite difficult for Mercedes to hire either one of them. In fact, I would say that would probably go for any driver at Red Bull, McLaren or Ferrari, suggesting that any prospective replacement driver will come from further afield.

Bottas is an interesting situation - it is true that his links with Wolff will potentially help him and, given his relatively relaxed character, he seems unlikely to cause friction within the team. However, in the past his contracts have usually had what I can only describe as a "poison pill" clause, whereby he can only be released from his contract through the payment of a large financial penalty.

Now, there were suggestions in the past that Ferrari had been put off by such a clause, having previously considered him as a replacement for Kimi, and there were suggestions that similar contractual issues may have cropped up when Renault approached him. Whether Mercedes might be prepared to pay quite that much to break Bottas out of his contract with Williams is debatable.

I suppose that the most likely candidates after Bottas might be Ocon or Wehrlein, with the former moved to Mercedes and the latter moved up to Force India, although Wehrlein's temperament may be an issue.

However, I'm wondering if one driver with an outside chance of a seat might be Perez - he's mentally matured quite a bit in recent years and has shown that he is a competitive and consistent driver who has out-performed the much praised Hulkenberg two years in succession, whilst also being attractive due to his commercial links. Being serious for a moment, I wouldn't mind seeing what he could potentially do if he was offered a seat at a front running team and, this time around, actually given a decent amount of support from the team in the process.

CarloSpace · Post by **CarloSpace** » 03 Dec 2016, 15:20

How about Robert Wickens?
He is a long shot and never going to happen but I'd love to see him finally in F1!

Post by **Londoner** » 03 Dec 2016, 17:36

mario wrote:However, I'm wondering if one driver with an outside chance of a seat might be Perez - he's mentally matured quite a bit in recent years and has shown that he is a competitive and consistent driver who has out-performed the much praised Hulkenberg two years in succession, whilst also being attractive due to his commercial links. Being serious for a moment, I wouldn't mind seeing what he could potentially do if he was offered a seat at a front running team and, this time around, actually given a decent amount of support from the team in the process.

Force India will fight tooth and nail to keep Perez, given they have effectively built the team around him. Whilst the increased TV rights money for 4th in the WCC is most welcome, I believe the team are still heavily reliant on Perez's sponsorship.

I get the feeling Mercedes want Ocon and Wehrlein to do a couple of years in the midfield to season them for the main team. Both of them are in their early 20s, so there's plenty of time for them to gain experience. Hamilton's probably got another 4 or 5 seasons left in F1, so when he retires Mercedes will have two ready-made stars for the main team. Of course, this is dependent on Mercedes keeping their F1 program going long-term.

Aguaman · Post by **Aguaman** » 04 Dec 2016, 00:51

Ralf Schumacher obvs.

Post by **mario** » 04 Dec 2016, 14:43

East Londoner wrote:
mario wrote:However, I'm wondering if one driver with an outside chance of a seat might be Perez - he's mentally matured quite a bit in recent years and has shown that he is a competitive and consistent driver who has out-performed the much praised Hulkenberg two years in succession, whilst also being attractive due to his commercial links. Being serious for a moment, I wouldn't mind seeing what he could potentially do if he was offered a seat at a front running team and, this time around, actually given a decent amount of support from the team in the process.

Force India will fight tooth and nail to keep Perez, given they have effectively built the team around him. Whilst the increased TV rights money for 4th in the WCC is most welcome, I believe the team are still heavily reliant on Perez's sponsorship.

I get the feeling Mercedes want Ocon and Wehrlein to do a couple of years in the midfield to season them for the main team. Both of them are in their early 20s, so there's plenty of time for them to gain experience. Hamilton's probably got another 4 or 5 seasons left in F1, so when he retires Mercedes will have two ready-made stars for the main team. Of course, this is dependent on Mercedes keeping their F1 program going long-term.

There was a rumour earlier in the year that Perez's sponsors were interested in moving him to a manufacturer team, leading to them opening up talks with Renault. As you say, the income that Perz brings to Force India is quite important for them but, if Mercedes were keen, I imagine that they could potentially buy him out of his contract.

It does seem likely that Wehrlein and Ocon do feature in Mercedes's long term plans, but I imagine that they might consider both of those drivers to be too inexperienced to take on a role at their team. It is part of the reason why I suspect that Mercedes might want to go for a midfield driver with experience - that said, Wolff does seem to have left open the possibility of taking either Ocon or Wehrlein.

Post by **Miguel98** » 04 Dec 2016, 17:53

mario wrote:
East Londoner wrote:
mario wrote:However, I'm wondering if one driver with an outside chance of a seat might be Perez - he's mentally matured quite a bit in recent years and has shown that he is a competitive and consistent driver who has out-performed the much praised Hulkenberg two years in succession, whilst also being attractive due to his commercial links. Being serious for a moment, I wouldn't mind seeing what he could potentially do if he was offered a seat at a front running team and, this time around, actually given a decent amount of support from the team in the process.

Force India will fight tooth and nail to keep Perez, given they have effectively built the team around him. Whilst the increased TV rights money for 4th in the WCC is most welcome, I believe the team are still heavily reliant on Perez's sponsorship.

I get the feeling Mercedes want Ocon and Wehrlein to do a couple of years in the midfield to season them for the main team. Both of them are in their early 20s, so there's plenty of time for them to gain experience. Hamilton's probably got another 4 or 5 seasons left in F1, so when he retires Mercedes will have two ready-made stars for the main team. Of course, this is dependent on Mercedes keeping their F1 program going long-term.

There was a rumour earlier in the year that Perez's sponsors were interested in moving him to a manufacturer team, leading to them opening up talks with Renault. As you say, the income that Perz brings to Force India is quite important for them but, if Mercedes were keen, I imagine that they could potentially buy him out of his contract.

It does seem likely that Wehrlein and Ocon do feature in Mercedes's long term plans, but I imagine that they might consider both of those drivers to be too inexperienced to take on a role at their team. It is part of the reason why I suspect that Mercedes might want to go for a midfield driver with experience - that said, Wolff does seem to have left open the possibility of taking either Ocon or Wehrlein.

Ocon I doubt is going to Mercedes, considering he was already presented at Force India factory and confirmed.

Pascal, though, is a whole another story. I imagine he is the biggest candidate, but does Lauda and Wolff want to deal with the ego's of two major "idiots" in the form of Pascal and Hamilton? Considering how Rosberg and Hamilton relantionship deteriorated over the past three years - and we previously believed Rosberg to be a fairly cool character - it could be that Pascal and Hamilton get to a breaking point fairly fast, considering both driver characters.

IceG · Post by **IceG** » 04 Dec 2016, 18:17

I want it to be some-one very talented, a potential world champion.

This season's redeeming feature was the inter-team battle in the dominant team, let's do that again.

Bottas is bland and Wehrlein is not championship ready, and neither is capable of beating Hamilton over a season.

I really want Alonso in that other car.

watka · Post by **watka** » 04 Dec 2016, 21:53

With Ocon and Wehrlein, it does seem too early to move either of them up to Mercedes if Mercedes want a shot at the Constructors title. However, it is quite difficult to judge how fast either driver is in the Manor given they are firmly at the back of the grid. Either one of them quite be the next Verstappen as far as we know, just that the Manor has held them back. So who knows?

In my eyes, that seems to point towards a stop gap option, so why not try to tempt Button, or heck even Massa, out of retirement for a season? Massa admittedly has previous with Hamilton but I'm not sure he'd have the true pace to really be an issue for Lewis but he'd hopefully have enough pace given his experience of the Mercedes engine at least. Button would be an even more attractive option, having worked harmoniously alongside Hamilton before and should be pretty good at giving feedback to engineers in a season of wide-scale rule changes.

Post by **mario** » 05 Dec 2016, 07:55

watka wrote:With Ocon and Wehrlein, it does seem too early to move either of them up to Mercedes if Mercedes want a shot at the Constructors title. However, it is quite difficult to judge how fast either driver is in the Manor given they are firmly at the back of the grid. Either one of them quite be the next Verstappen as far as we know, just that the Manor has held them back. So who knows?

In my eyes, that seems to point towards a stop gap option, so why not try to tempt Button, or heck even Massa, out of retirement for a season? Massa admittedly has previous with Hamilton but I'm not sure he'd have the true pace to really be an issue for Lewis but he'd hopefully have enough pace given his experience of the Mercedes engine at least. Button would be an even more attractive option, having worked harmoniously alongside Hamilton before and should be pretty good at giving feedback to engineers in a season of wide-scale rule changes.

Isn't Button technically under contract with McLaren though? I suppose that he could be an option, and it would make for an interesting swansong for Button, but on the other hand he has given the impression that he is effectively sated with his time in F1.

watka · Post by **watka** » 05 Dec 2016, 12:25

mario wrote:
watka wrote:With Ocon and Wehrlein, it does seem too early to move either of them up to Mercedes if Mercedes want a shot at the Constructors title. However, it is quite difficult to judge how fast either driver is in the Manor given they are firmly at the back of the grid. Either one of them quite be the next Verstappen as far as we know, just that the Manor has held them back. So who knows?

In my eyes, that seems to point towards a stop gap option, so why not try to tempt Button, or heck even Massa, out of retirement for a season? Massa admittedly has previous with Hamilton but I'm not sure he'd have the true pace to really be an issue for Lewis but he'd hopefully have enough pace given his experience of the Mercedes engine at least. Button would be an even more attractive option, having worked harmoniously alongside Hamilton before and should be pretty good at giving feedback to engineers in a season of wide-scale rule changes.

Isn't Button technically under contract with McLaren though? I suppose that he could be an option, and it would make for an interesting swansong for Button, but on the other hand he has given the impression that he is effectively sated with his time in F1.

Yes, I think you're right in saying he is still under contract at McLaren so I guess he'd need to be bought out like any other driver. Can't help thinking his "retirement" is squarely linked to not being able to get a race-winning/podium-earning seat for 2017, so I think he would be keen.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 05 Dec 2016, 22:49

To quote Independence Day....

"Hello boys, I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack!"

Aislabie · Post by **Aislabie** » 06 Dec 2016, 13:33

I stumbled on this in a comment section:

Toto Wolff, in January of 2015: "I'm an optimist. The priority is to continue with these drivers [Hamilton and Nico Rosberg]. Should it not be possible, then Alonso represents the first alternative, then there's Bottas."

And Toto again, this time in May 2016: "Fernando explored his options and one of them was Mercedes. He spoke to us, but we could not negotiate as we promised Lewis [Hamilton] that while we tried to renew his deal we would not talk with other drivers and we did not. Fernando is one of the best drivers in history and I like his character, but our priority now is Nico. If [Rosberg] does not want to renew, then we will consider other options, like Fernando."

I would very much like this to happen.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 06 Dec 2016, 19:30

I feel someone who's worked with Hamilton in the past may be a good option, and one of them is due another comeback.

Enforcer · Post by **Enforcer** » 06 Dec 2016, 19:39

Yeah, similar words about Alonso coming out of Toto today according to the BBC.

I'd be surprised if they went for Alonso. He's surely the most expensive option available to them. It strikes me as very odd to go to that expense and put two very strong drivers who'll insist on parity of treatment with each other and will almost certainly oppose any attempt to stop them racing each other, when you have rule changes coming up and no guarantee, or even a strong indication, that you'll be able to walk the constructors' title again.

If it's genuine from Wolff and not just words, maybe they think Hamilton needs a team-mate of similar ability, or at least of enough ability to catch him out if he's not at 100%, to stay fully focused and motivated.

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 07 Dec 2016, 15:58

Right, after votes have slowed down after 75 responses, here's the final results:

1) Pascal Wehrlein 6
2) Fernando Alonso 5
3) HWNSNBM 4
4) Rio Haryanto 3
5) Esteban Tuero 2
= Sergio Perez 2
= Pastor Maldonado 2
= Me 2
= Louis Delétraz 2
10) Benoit Voeckler 1
= Conan the Barbarian 1
= Seb Buemi 1
= Esteban Gutierrez 1
= Niki Lauda 1
= Salvatore de Plano 1
= Antonio Giovinazzi 1
= Susie Wolff 1
= Christian Horner 1
= Simona de Silvestro 1
= Carmen Jorda 1
= Nick Heidfeld 1
= Rubens Barrichello 1
= gaston mazzacane 1
= Danny Dyer's Chocolate Homunculus 1
= Paul di Resta 1
= Bernd Maylander 1
= Alex Zanardi 1
= Jenson Button 1
= Yuji Ide 1
= Frank Zappa 1
= HRH Prince Charles 1
= Racey McRaceface 1
= Ali G 1
= André Lotterer 1
= Valtteri Bottas 1
= Lana Del Rey 1
= Sean Gelael 1
= Daniel Juncandella 1
= Felix Rosenqvist 1
= Keke Rosberg 1
= Jazeman Jaafaar 1
= Stirling Moss 1
= Nigel Mansell 1
= Jeff Gordon 1
= Ricardo Rosset 1
= beaten. 1
= cheaper than Rosberg. 1
= Your mother has a penis 1
= Chanoch Nissany 1
= Edward McWilliams 1
= Edoardo Mortara 1
= sending dick pics to Alonso all season. 1
= Heinz Harald Frentzen 1
= DanielPT 1
= Kamui Kobayashi 1
= Montgomery Burns 1

So yes, 6 of you predicted Wehrlein, 5 Alonso, 4 HWNSNBM, and 3 Haryanto. Although personally, my money's on Danny Dyer's Chocolate Homunculus to take the seat :pantano:

sswishbone · Post by **sswishbone** » 07 Dec 2016, 18:59

If he wen't struggling with his wrist my choice would be Robert Kubica. Wonder if they'd risk Sebastian Loeb? He has proven he can drive almost anything quickly.

Post by **mario** » 07 Dec 2016, 21:51

sswishbone wrote:If he wen't struggling with his wrist my choice would be Robert Kubica. Wonder if they'd risk Sebastian Loeb? He has proven he can drive almost anything quickly.

In the case of Kubica, he is struggling to drive any closed circuit moderately high downforce car - he tested the ByKolles LMP1 car earlier this year, and he has said that he has his doubts that he would be able to push hard during a stint because of the reduced mobility in his wrist.

As for Loeb, he ruled himself out of switching to single seater cars at least three or four years ago - the FIA's reluctance to issue a superlicence was one issue, but the biggest problem, according to Loeb, was the fact that he just couldn't build up his stamina to be able to race in single seater cars (especially now that he is into his early 40's).

Aislabie · Post by **Aislabie** » 07 Dec 2016, 21:55

Jose Maria Lopez for a season

Nessafox · Post by **Nessafox** » 08 Dec 2016, 15:44

Bad news, as Esteban Tuero just announced his retirement from racing.

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 08 Dec 2016, 16:27

This wrote:Bad news, as Esteban Tuero just announced his retirement from racing.

...making Mercedes feel shocked again. Now their options are hopelessly limited.

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 08 Dec 2016, 16:41

solarcold wrote:
This wrote:Bad news, as Esteban Tuero just announced his retirement from racing.

...making Mercedes feel shocked again. Now their options are hopelessly limited.

HWNSNBM is still available, Mercedes should count themselves lucky!

WeirdKerr · Post by **WeirdKerr** » 09 Dec 2016, 23:35

Kamui Kobayashi!

takagi_for_the_win · Post by **takagi_for_the_win** » 11 Dec 2016, 19:13

I can definitely get behind Danny Dyer's Chocolate Homunculus getting the seat; I'd defo tune into the press conferences if Super Hans was one half of Lewis Hamilton's teammate.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 12 Dec 2016, 18:43

takagi_for_the_win wrote:I can definitely get behind Danny Dyer's Chocolate Homunculus getting the seat; I'd defo tune into the press conferences if Super Hans was one half of Lewis Hamilton's teammate.

Would it be the bottom half of him? Or does that depend if it's on fire?

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 12 Dec 2016, 19:00

FullMetalJack wrote:
takagi_for_the_win wrote:I can definitely get behind Danny Dyer's Chocolate Homunculus getting the seat; I'd defo tune into the press conferences if Super Hans was one half of Lewis Hamilton's teammate.

Would it be the bottom half of him? Or does that depend if it's on fire?

No, it would be his left side. Because Lewis is always right and he will be left behind.

Post by **Ataxia** » 12 Dec 2016, 21:45

FullMetalJack wrote:
takagi_for_the_win wrote:I can definitely get behind Danny Dyer's Chocolate Homunculus getting the seat; I'd defo tune into the press conferences if Super Hans was one half of Lewis Hamilton's teammate.

Would it be the bottom half of him? Or does that depend if it's on fire?

I can just imagine the team radio...

"Hans, be aware, there's a crack in your front nose..."

"...don't say crack, Tony, yeah? Not now. 'Cause you saying crack makes me think about crack, and I love crack...so can you not say crack?"

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 12 Dec 2016, 23:29

Ataxia wrote:
FullMetalJack wrote:
takagi_for_the_win wrote:I can definitely get behind Danny Dyer's Chocolate Homunculus getting the seat; I'd defo tune into the press conferences if Super Hans was one half of Lewis Hamilton's teammate.

Would it be the bottom half of him? Or does that depend if it's on fire?

I can just imagine the team radio...

"Hans, be aware, there's a crack in your front nose..."

"...don't say crack, Tony, yeah? Not now. 'Cause you saying crack makes me think about crack, and I love crack...so can you not say crack?"

"Super Hans has taken 4 grams of coke to relax him for the championship decider"

"It didn't relax him"

Post by **Bobby Doorknobs** » 12 Dec 2016, 23:58

"Hans, we need you to retire the car, there's a software problem."

"What, you think because it's a computer it's made of spider's webs and magic? It's just a metal box, they're indestructible!"