Nico Rosberg to retire from F1 (!)

[Manoah2u]

June this year.

As Nico Rosberg's expiring contract comes under the spotlight, Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche has revealed his vision for Mercedes' F1 "future". "Pascal (Wehrlein) is our future," Zetsche is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick.

but then Ocon happened, Lewis threatened to quit, and Nico left.

[TAG]

June this year.

As Nico Rosberg's expiring contract comes under the spotlight, Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche has revealed his vision for Mercedes' F1 "future". "Pascal (Wehrlein) is our future," Zetsche is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick.

but then Ocon happened, Lewis threatened to quit, and Nico left.

And Ocon appeared on this planet spontaneously this summer?

I think Mercedes has been preparing for this since after Barcelona, Nico got his parting gift, and all will be right with the three pointed star in 2017. Or at least that's what Toto decided.

It will be pretty difficult to refute the mountains of circumstantial evidence should they indeed go ahead and hire Wehrlein. Personally I hope that I'm wrong because if not, it would mean that we've been watching Formula WWE all year.

[notsofast]

it would mean that we've been watching Formula WWE all year.

And that's my one and only gripe. I don't care about team orders and preferential treatment and such, but I care about lying to the fans.

[Manoah2u]

I think not, it's rather looking more like it that Mercedes was anticipating and 'preparing' Lewis to leave and get Wehrlein in that seat mid-season to finish the season.
No way that mid-season any of the other drivers would have stepped in - Alonso, Max, DannyRic, Vettel, Button - So they had no option to choose from but Wehrlein,
hence making him 'their future'.

Also, Wehrlein might be their future, but i am rather doubtfull they saw him as a 2017 option, probably more as a 2018 option.

Rosberg really shook things up and now they're in a difficult situation.

I'm sure their list looks like this:

1) Fernando Alonso
2) Max Verstappen
3) Sebastian Vettel
4) Jenson Button
5) Daniel Ricciardo
6) Sergio Perez
7) Pascal Wehrlein

The only issue is that all, except for Pascal, have 'solid' contracts, with Jenson probably having the least costly and easiest contract to break into and the safest bet when weighing in all options. Verstappen would be one of their most desirable moves because it would steal him right away from their direct competitor RedBull and take that thunder and inject it in their own team. As high up in the list he is, the smallest chance he'll actually is willing and really able to go there.
Fernando Alonso is probably the most 'driven' guy to get there with a guarantee for success, especially since they negotiated before. They might concidered him instead of Lewis should Lewis say adios at the end of this year.

I am almost sure Alonso will be there next year. If he is, you can bet that Mclaren will not have a decent car next year. If he isn't it'll be down between Jenson Button and Wehrlein.
But again, please surprise me.

[TAG]

So two of the options are that Mercedes knew and planned for it, perhaps even orchestrated it. Or, Mercedes didn't know and Nico blindsided them with this leaving them high and dry to scramble.

Both of those options don't speak very highly about Mercedes or Nico...

The other option was that they were planning on Lewis to leave and they were completely okay with having arguably the best driver on the grid, an F1 legend in the making walk away and drive for the competition next year.

[Redragon]

Not only personal reasons could have motivated his retirement but what if Mercedes simulator for 2017 is not as positive or encouraging. Everyone is presuming they will be the team to beat. But what if it is not? You get stuck on a contract for 3 years being 31 years old, rich and family man with the hope of maybe winning again?. Better retire now with the head up.

[iotar__]

Not only personal reasons could have motivated his retirement but what if Mercedes simulator for 2017 is not as positive or encouraging. Everyone is presuming they will be the team to beat. But what if it is not? You get stuck on a contract for 3 years being 31 years old, rich and family man with the hope of maybe winning again?. Better retire now with the head up.

That doesn't make sense to me:
- No reference for sim and Merc still favourites.
- Since when it's the reason for retirement? Hamilton's (and every other driver on the grid) is not retiring.
- Get stuck? He clearly was not stuck
- Head high? Head can be a bit lower but still high. That's not the reason itself without some heavier reference point,
- Why not retire? To earn money and do what you're best at with limited opportunities anyway, win races podiums poles and enjoy it,

- It stinks to me but it may be his personal decision, although I doubt it was without heavy outside circumstances. it's a dirty business
- doesn't matter now, let's see what kind of a circus Mercedes will create with replacement. It will be easier to judge when it happens

[Redragon]

Not only personal reasons could have motivated his retirement but what if Mercedes simulator for 2017 is not as positive or encouraging. Everyone is presuming they will be the team to beat. But what if it is not? You get stuck on a contract for 3 years being 31 years old, rich and family man with the hope of maybe winning again?. Better retire now with the head up.

That doesn't make sense to me:
- No reference for sim and Merc still favourites.
- Since when it's the reason for retirement? Hamilton's (and every other driver on the grid) is not retiring.
- Get stuck? He clearly was not stuck
- Head high? Head can be a bit lower but still high. That's not the reason itself without some heavier reference point,
- Why not retire? To earn money and do what you're best at with limited opportunities anyway, win races podiums poles and enjoy it,

- It stinks to me but it may be his personal decision, although I doubt it was without heavy outside circumstances. it's a dirty business
- doesn't matter now, let's see what kind of a circus Mercedes will create with replacement. It will be easier to judge when it happens

I don't think you understood my point, which it is not a fact but a hypothesis. I think you should read well the post.

[Restomaniac]

So two of the options are that Mercedes knew and planned for it, perhaps even orchestrated it. Or, Mercedes didn't know and Nico blindsided them with this leaving them high and dry to scramble.

Both of those options don't speak very highly about Mercedes or Nico...

The other option was that they were planning on Lewis to leave and they were completely okay with having arguably the best driver on the grid, an F1 legend in the making walk away and drive for the competition next year.

Exactly.
I personally think Rosberg is a lovely guy who walked away as soon as he got what he wanted and has now left his former team with a posionous situation with their 3 time WDC who they called a pig to a dog after he tried to win a WDC.

Merc are trying to paint this otherwise but let us be honest Rosberg has pretty much said 'See Ya suckers' to Merc in this.

[noname]

It is a clear failure of management from Mercedes that they were not able to spot such an unstable team member even after so many years with them.

I would say Nico was probably the most stable person in the team. He had very clear goal and he demonstrated exceptional level of focus, determination, commitment and dedication to achieve what he set for himself.

It is leadership job to be prepared for situation like this. At any time any key member of the team (not only driver) can be out. Somebody can be sick, can have accident, can decide "f**ck it, I am done with it", etc. and it is leaders' responsibility to be ready for the moment like that. There must be succession plan in place for anyone occupying position critical for the team.

So, if in fact Toto and Co. found themselves with their pants down (personally I doubt that), it is their fault.

[Just_a_fan]

Rosberg's retirement shows one thing - he really isn't the lovely team player as some would have him portrayed. He is just as selfish as evey other racing driver. You have to be selfish to put yourself first for 10, 15, 20 years to achieve your goals.

What is funny is so many people calling for Hamilton's head because of his drive in Abu Dhabi. Terrible person, not putting the team first etc. Should be sacked / shot and Rosberg helped to further titles. Well, what do you know, the nice guy just stuffed a red hot poker up his team's backside. Mr Nasty is still there and is their only real chance of success in the next season.

Got to love the way the snake bites it's own tail sometimes...

[GPR-A duplicate2]

Got to love the way the snake bites it's own tail sometimes...

Karma I guess. Does Toto still entertain the idea of suspending Lewis.

[GrandAxe]

"A few hours before the public announcement, he told us by phone," the Austrian said. "I took the news badly, I didn't expect it, nobody in Mercedes thought that he had had enough.

"At first I didn't believe it. 'Nico, what you told us, are you kidding? Is it a joke?' But he said it was all true. Quite incredible.

"When I won the first title I immediately thought about how I would win a second. That's not the case with Nico. His decision has left us disorientated and unprepared, and all those who contributed to Nico winning the world title took it very badly."

- Niki Lauda

http://www.aol.co.uk/sport/2016/12/03/h ... ays-lauda/

[zeph]

"This is the first time he's won in 18 years, hence why it was not a surprise that he decided to stop."

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/ ... -formula-1

Not very elegant, Lewis. I hope your next team mate makes you miss Nico. Thinking in the lines of Alonso or Verstappen...

Yeah, that struck me as non-classy.

[The_table]

Agree, i expected Hamiltion to start his reconciliation with Rosberg about 2 nanoseconds after he retires but he just HAD to be a dick about it...what a shame.