[Sam_M]

Originally Posted by five_timer

He's the most veteran driver in the field. He's got a year on Kimi. I don't think Mercedes wants to fill their seat with someone who's career is done, and past his prime.

Maybe not. Alonso is in contact till the end of 2017, ditto Bottas.

Jensen could be a good seat filler till someone else comes available

[KingOfJericho]

I would love to see Max in there just to REALLY ruffle Lewis' feathers.

[spumoni1984]

Webber out of Porsche seat...returns to merc seat...2017 F1 Champ.

called it here first...lol

[Sam_M]

Originally Posted by spumoni1984

Webber out of Porsche seat...returns to merc seat...2017 F1 Champ.

called it here first...lol

That would also be awesome, we're losing one proper gent from the field(Button). Webbers return would be welcome.

[Sam_M]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I would love to see Max in there just to REALLY ruffle Lewis' feathers.

RB would be nuts to let go of him.

Highlight of the season has to be his drive in Brazil. Pure talent.

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

I am sure you are pulling way better....

I am pulling better, that woman is not hot.

But to the main point, big congrats to Nico. I pull for Hamilton but love to see this kid fight, and happy for him that he really earned this championship.

[E90SLAM]

I tend to "not like" (hate is a very strong word) Nico throughout the year, probably his "too serious" mentality during interviews and kinda PR-BSing on microphone (actually all drivers do that on podium interviews).

But his announcement to retire from F1, I think its the most truthful and sincere. (Probably I'm naive). And given his "serious" mentality, he wants to establish a family, not just wedding and divorce like others. Probably its a German thing, Schumi and Seb tends to keep a low profile on their family and spouse, and quite family oriented seems like.

That earned my respect, where family comes first.

For 2017, regardless who signs up next to HAM, most likely won't be a strong Championship contender. Unless Mercedes are planning to snatch a big name driver???

http://www.gp-hub.com/f1/2017-teams-and-drivers/

[David70]

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-...n=awdailydrive

Lauda admitted he is even a little angry.

"On one hand, you have to accept if Nico wants to go," he said. "But on the other, Nico signed a two-year contract with us in August. What bothers me is that Nico tells us that if he had not become world champion, he would have gone on. I think he could at least have hinted at this when he agreed to the contract. He says he just wanted to be champion and then stop, but the problem is that he never gave any signals that this was his concept. After all, 1,200 people of the F1 division at Mercedes gave him every opportunity to become world champion with a super car. And then he gave us his resignation overnight.

"This lone decision of Nico's -- and I mean everyone at Brackley and with Mercedes and many people who have worked closely with him, his engineers and mechanics -- has ripped a giant hole in this excellent working team," said Lauda.

So Hamilton accuses the team of not treating both drivers equally/fairly and then his "bad luck" isn't always luck. Then Hamilton doesn't follow team orders because it isn't in his best interest, then Nico does what is best for him. So we now understand that both the employers and the employees are probably all going to do what is best for them. Only part of this that surprises me is that each group acts surprised.

Not sure how Lauda thinks while he was signing a new contract that Nico could have hinted he was possibly going to retire but this was only possible if he won the World Championship.

[3798j]

"Niki Lauda has lashed out at Nico Rosberg's decision to quit Mercedes just five days after winning the Formula 1 championship."

I say bull crap Niki....you have no memory.

From Wikipedia:
In late September, during practice for the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix, Lauda informed Brabham that he wished to retire immediately, as he had no more desire to "drive around in circles". Lauda, who in the meantime had founded Lauda Air, a charter airline, returned to Austria to run the company full-time.

[KingOfJericho]

I think it's very noble to quit while you're on top to be with your family -- there's only downside risk in carrying on. At least he did it for his family and not to start an airline lol.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I think it's very noble to quit while you're on top to be with your family -- there's only downside risk in carrying on. At least he did it for his family and not to start an airline lol.

I flew Lauda Air when I was a kid!!!

[Ramos]

Who wants to venture a guess on who will be Lewis' teammate next season?

My guess is: Bottas

Good driver, experienced enough, no teammate drama, will score major points and won't challenge Lewis much.
Plus they can easily get him out of his Williams contract due to their engine supplier relationship.

In my opinion, that is the best option for the team, they do not want a rookie in that car, nor do they want the unnecessary headache of two world champions butting heads, not to mention having to pay the salaries of two world champions. You won't see Alonso or Vettel in an Merc next season.

Another good option would be luring Button back from retirement for a stop gap one year contract.

[six_timer]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Who wants to venture a guess on who will be Lewis' teammate next season?

My guess is: Bottas

Good driver, experienced enough, no teammate drama, will score major points and won't challenge Lewis much.

What's your basis for thinking that he won't be as fast as HAM? He's fast, and younger, which often translates to the faster driver.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I think it's very noble to quit while you're on top to be with your family -- there's only downside risk in carrying on. At least he did it for his family and not to start an airline lol.

Except he completely contradicts the family excuse, when he said he wouldn't have quit if he didn't win.

[shay2nak]

I'm totally surprised as well. Nico thinks he's James Hunt? lol

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by five_timer

What's your basis for thinking that he won't be as fast as HAM? He's fast, and younger, which often translates to the faster driver.

Well a few things,

One: Bottas is not in the same caliber of driver as Hamilton who is one of the top four drivers to have ever lived. That list includes: Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton, Alonso.

Two: it will take Bottas or anyone else time to adjust to the team and the new car.

Three: Hamilton is a master of adapting to new regs, and the more mechanical grip of the 2017 spec tires will suit his style even better. He's an oversteer driver who likes to throw the car into the corner and throttle balance the car on corner exit.

Four: Hamilton is on a roll and hungry again and will dominate in 2017. If the Merc car is as good as it has been in recent years relative to the competition, I expect Hamilton to walk away with the championship and utterly dominate, maybe win 14-15 races.

[David70]

Originally Posted by spumoni1984

Webber out of Porsche seat...returns to merc seat...2017 F1 Champ.

called it here first...lol

Weber recently retired from motorsport, also not a good option.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Except he completely contradicts the family excuse, when he said he wouldn't have quit if he didn't win.

Not contradictory at all. He came to achieve a WDC title and did so. With that completed, he bowed out to be with his family. He has little to gain and a lot to lose by carrying on.

[David70]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Well a few things,

One: Bottas is not in the same caliber of driver as Hamilton who is one of the top four drivers to have ever lived. That list includes: Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton, Alonso.

Two: it will take Bottas or anyone else time to adjust to the team and the new car.

Three: Hamilton is a master of adapting to new regs, and the more mechanical grip of the 2017 spec tires will suit his style even better. He's an oversteer driver who likes to throw the car into the corner and throttle balance the car on corner exit.

Four: Hamilton is on a roll and hungry again and will dominate in 2017. If the Merc car is as good as it has been in recent years relative to the competition, I expect Hamilton to walk away with the championship and utterly dominate, maybe win 14-15 races.

Trying to figure out the best drivers to have ever lived is impossible and with over 100 years of Motorsport 3 of your top 4 of all time were all racing in 2012, not buying your list. Then Hamilton looks like the best driver right now and one of the best of all time as every race he starts he is pretty much guaranteed first or second as long as the car is running at the end and he does a decent job.

Then, when they were both running he normally beat Rosberg but hardly dominated him and would anyone put Rosberg in the top 20 of all time? If one of the top 4 best drivers of all time I would have expected more. Hamilton got pole 12 to 9 and race wins 10 to 9 when Rosberg only needed to come in 2nd for the last 4 races.

If MB is as dominant next year as they were this year Lewis will be only racing his teammate again, so you're probably right, he should dominate but not sure what it really means. He will dominate the field as long as he dominates his teammate.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I would love to see Max in there just to REALLY ruffle Lewis' feathers.

YES !

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by SamM_UK

RB would be nuts to let go of him.

Highlight of the season has to be his drive in Brazil. Pure talent.

Exactly , and the win in Spain ! MAX his pure talent started right there in the picture ...
Note: Take a look above his head

"MAX IS BORN TO RACE"

[DC-T]

I'll save my opinion because I wasn't there when he made his decision. All the best mate