Silly Season 2016/2017

[hemichromis]

I do think Bottas will have only a 1 year contract with Mercedes. So many options become available in 2018.

Vettel really must think about leaving Ferrari at the end of his contract.

There is no way Bottas will take a 1-year only.
A one-year only contract will kill your career. It just doesn't work and isn't worth the effort.
Only for a test driver or someone like Wehrlein, who doesn't do much good anyway.

Pedro De la Rosa was a perfect example on being someone to house for a year only, no strings attached.

Fisichella is a prime example of what not to do, when he went to Ferrari. Even though he was at the relative end
of his f1 career, you just can't 'enter' and perform in a car you have zero experience with. It is not realistic.
You need 2 years in a top team to show your potential, especially as a driver that has not been around for a very long time.

You need to adapt to the team, environment, car and set it up accordingly. It'll take 3 months of racing before you'll get the hang of driving a car that was designed NOT for you. And then you can start focusing on performing and trying to do your thing, learn, get 'settled' and recieve an adaptation for the year after that suits yourself a lot more.

1 year will be critically killing.

it won't be for just 1 year, period. 2 years certain if Bottas signs, with an option of 3 years.

Well, a rule change would mean Hamilton wouldn't be much more familiar with the car than Bottas.
I cannot see Mercedes signing someone through 2018 unless they are very happy with that talent. In 2018 you have Vettel, Alonso, Perez, and Sainz available. I also feel as though one of the Redbull guys could become available.
All these drivers won't be available in 2019.

[Manoah2u]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2016/12/20/m ... -mercedes/
End of speculation...

Well that is rather anticlimactic.
I like Massa, but that Brazil end was decent and good and should have been, the end.
This is just pathetic to be honest.
"Exciting line up" of Williams just got even worse.
The only thing i'd like to see then is that Williams somehow has a WDC capable car [fat chance though], and that Massa actually gets WDC fighting Lewis and Bottas and Stroll is waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy back.

SO

2017

Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton
Valterri Bottas

RedBull
Daniel Ricciardo
Max Verstappen

Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel
Kimi Raikkonen

Force India
Sergio Perez
Esteban Ocon

Williams
Felipe Massa
Lance Stroll

Mclaren
Fernando Alonso
Stoffel VanDoorne

Toro Rosso
Daniil Kvyat
Carlos Sainz Jr.

Haas
Romain Grosjean
Kevin Magnussen

Renault
Nico Hulkenberg
Jolyon Palmer

Sauber
Marcus Ericsson
?????

Manor
?????
?????

So, 3 seats left, 1 more or less guaranteed.
I'm not sure whether Manor actually will make the grid, but that has been going on for 5 years now atleast so i'd assume they'll be there still, hence 5 left.

I think it's safe to say Nasr won't be @ Sauber next year - with Massa driving for Williams in '17 still, i don't see him driving in F1 at all in 2017 as the last 'leash' for Nasr imho was his nationality and Bernie probably striving to keep a Brazilian aboard. So, lets say Nasr out.

The second seat at Sauber i assume will be between Guiterrez and Wehrlein. Since Guiterrez is a Ferrari - linked driver he probably will be the choise, especially due to the sponsorship he brings. We all know Sauber doesn't hire talent at this point. Then again, Wehrlein doesn't have talent either so that wouldn't block it, but Monisha Kaltenboring will take money over anything, paving way for nailing the coffin shut once and for all as the Alfa Romeo 'project' has been put on hold too.

Leaves Manor,
presumably with Wehrlein aboard - but that's a big if regarding who actually is going to buy the outfit. I think it's too late to switch engines though, and the buyer probably still likes a engine discount in the form of Wehrlein.

so quite frankly, i think there's only 1 seat really left to 'auction off' to the highest bidder.

Sirotkin? Haryanto back with KFC Indonesia?

[Manoah2u]

Ok, seems we're a few steps ahead of reality.

The Brazilian driver says that there is still nothing official about returning to Formula 1. Italian TV says Felipe already signed a contract for next season

On Tuesday morning, TV Sky Sports Italia reported through their social networks that the Brazilian already has a contract signed with the English team to replace the Finn Valtteri Bottas in 2017. According to the Italians, Bottas would be leaving for Mercedes, where he would take over the vacancy left by current world champion Nico Rosberg, who announced his Formula One retirement earlier this month. In Brazil, by phone, Felipe Massa reacted with surprise to the news

"I have nothing to say, man. That's what they're talking about. I'm quiet on the matter, I do not wish to participate in it.
Everything that has been going on so far is nothing official, " he said.

According to Italian TV, Felipe signed a six million euro ($ 20 million) contract with the British team last Monday to compete for the 2017 season. What is understood is that his contract has a Clause that annuls its return if the contracting of Bottas by the Mercedes does not materialize

hmmmm.

I was a bit confused reading Massa returns to Williams, equalling Bottas heads to Mercedes - when Mercedes just announced that instead of reporting their replacement not earlier than the 3rd of Januari, it might take them untill the very end of January for confirmation , and all of a sudden Massa is back.

I do realise that we should rather read it as that potentially,
Massa has been contracted for a race seat in 2017 for 6 million IN THE EVENT that Bottas leaves.

In the end it still rather means Bottas is going to Mercedes.

It's between Wehrlein and a more experienced driver, so it's really clear if you ask me.
the only hurdle probably is the contractual situation of Bottas,
which probably is the reason they can't announce it yet.

I do firmly believe Bottas recent 1-year signing had quite a 'watertight' contract that has to be broken to grab Bottas.
Probably there is something in the clause that demands this signing of Massa [ even though it's logical Williams would like to go for Felipe to replace Bottas ].

Also, i even firmer believe Bottas has already a signed contract with Renault for 2018, which now has to get disbanded too, surely a thing of other complication. I am 99,9 % sure that Bottas wanted that 1 year deal with Williams because he intended to be heading to Renault in 2018, which I think also is the reason Palmer is kept - to 'bridge' the seat.

So personally, i think the issue of why Bottas won't be confirmed for 2017 is because of having 2 contracts; a 2017 contract for Williams and a 2018-2019 contract with Renault.

Which ULTIMATELY brings us to another interesting discussion :

What will Renault NOW do with their seat alongside Hulkenberg?
IF - and i really do think so - Palmer was only hired to occupy the seat so Bottas can enter in 2018,
then would Renault possibly be concidering instead of waiting for 2018, to possibly do another shock silly season move
and ditch Palmer before the season has even started and hire
Carlos Sainz Jr. or Daniil Kvyat?

I do think Carlos is here to stay for a while, though i feel we should see how 2017 unfolds vs Kvyat.

[PlatinumZealot]

The silly season in full gear...
https://scontent.fagc1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=58FBC319
This is what will drive the sport in America, worth a read.
http://time.com/lewis-hamilton-formula-one/

Interestingly the only other modern cover I can spot with an F1 driver is...
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/73 ... 2753b1.jpg

Thanks for this. One of the best articles on Hamilton for sure. Good read.

[Restomaniac]

So a driver at 29 shows no loyalty after getting a WDC and retires to 'be with his family' which royally upsets his team, in the resulting shuffle because of that a driver at 35 with a family decides because of loyalty to his former team who are now in the mire to unretire.

[Manoah2u]

essentially, yeah.

[SR71]

Bottas to Ferrari 2017, taking Vettel seat. Wolff using his assets properly.

[Manoah2u]

Bottas to Ferrari 2017, taking Vettel seat. Wolff using his assets properly.

that would be superbly shocking and exciting, i'd like that, actually.
I don't think Vettel did himself any favours on his Whiting rant though.

Imagine Hamilton playing his own deck of cards in the background and seeing Mercedes pull Bottas from Williams
to house Vettel @ Mercedes, he instead jumps into Vettel's seat in Ferrari and leaves Wolff to put Bottas in his seat instead

Mercedes
Vettel
Bottas

Ferrari
Hamilton
Raikkonen



words have not yet been invented for such a happening.....ALL THANKS TO ROSBERG

[thisisatest]

Ok, seems we're a few steps ahead of reality.

The Brazilian driver says that there is still nothing official about returning to Formula 1. Italian TV says Felipe already signed a contract for next season

On Tuesday morning, TV Sky Sports Italia reported through their social networks that the Brazilian already has a contract signed with the English team to replace the Finn Valtteri Bottas in 2017. According to the Italians, Bottas would be leaving for Mercedes, where he would take over the vacancy left by current world champion Nico Rosberg, who announced his Formula One retirement earlier this month. In Brazil, by phone, Felipe Massa reacted with surprise to the news

"I have nothing to say, man. That's what they're talking about. I'm quiet on the matter, I do not wish to participate in it.
Everything that has been going on so far is nothing official, " he said.

According to Italian TV, Felipe signed a six million euro ($ 20 million) contract with the British team last Monday to compete for the 2017 season. What is understood is that his contract has a Clause that annuls its return if the contracting of Bottas by the Mercedes does not materialize

hmmmm.

I was a bit confused reading Massa returns to Williams, equalling Bottas heads to Mercedes - when Mercedes just announced that instead of reporting their replacement not earlier than the 3rd of Januari, it might take them untill the very end of January for confirmation , and all of a sudden Massa is back.

I do realise that we should rather read it as that potentially,
Massa has been contracted for a race seat in 2017 for 6 million IN THE EVENT that Bottas leaves.

In the end it still rather means Bottas is going to Mercedes.

It's between Wehrlein and a more experienced driver, so it's really clear if you ask me.
the only hurdle probably is the contractual situation of Bottas,
which probably is the reason they can't announce it yet.

I do firmly believe Bottas recent 1-year signing had quite a 'watertight' contract that has to be broken to grab Bottas.
Probably there is something in the clause that demands this signing of Massa [ even though it's logical Williams would like to go for Felipe to replace Bottas ].

Also, i even firmer believe Bottas has already a signed contract with Renault for 2018, which now has to get disbanded too, surely a thing of other complication. I am 99,9 % sure that Bottas wanted that 1 year deal with Williams because he intended to be heading to Renault in 2018, which I think also is the reason Palmer is kept - to 'bridge' the seat.

So personally, i think the issue of why Bottas won't be confirmed for 2017 is because of having 2 contracts; a 2017 contract for Williams and a 2018-2019 contract with Renault.

Which ULTIMATELY brings us to another interesting discussion :

What will Renault NOW do with their seat alongside Hulkenberg?
IF - and i really do think so - Palmer was only hired to occupy the seat so Bottas can enter in 2018,
then would Renault possibly be concidering instead of waiting for 2018, to possibly do another shock silly season move
and ditch Palmer before the season has even started and hire
Carlos Sainz Jr. or Daniil Kvyat?

I do think Carlos is here to stay for a while, though i feel we should see how 2017 unfolds vs Kvyat.

Since when did 6million Euros equal 20million dollars?

[TAG]

So a driver at 29 shows no loyalty after getting a WDC and retires to 'be with his family' which royally upsets his team, in the resulting shuffle because of that a driver at 35 with a family decides because of loyalty to his former team who are now in the mire to unretire.

You channeling George Carlin or something? I've seen no clearer observation of what's transpired than yours. Kudos.

I wonder if we'll hear the same cacophony of pundits tell us how brave Massa is for making this difficult decision.

[nevill3]

Since when did 6million Euros equal 20million dollars?

probably means 20 million BRL (Brazilian Real)

[Restomaniac]

So a driver at 29 shows no loyalty after getting a WDC and retires to 'be with his family' which royally upsets his team, in the resulting shuffle because of that a driver at 35 with a family decides because of loyalty to his former team who are now in the mire to unretire.

You channeling George Carlin or something? I've seen no clearer observation of what's transpired than yours. Kudos.

I wonder if we'll hear the same cacophony of pundits tell us how brave Massa is for making this difficult decision.

Thanks. Kinda puts Rosberg's decision into context doesnt it. Also I got his age wrong as he is actually 31 but the point still stands.

When they do it will prove beyond doubt just how much BS they all talk (Not that it's in doubt anyway).

[tom101]

I'm quite sure decision is done. For 2017 and 2018 season.

But this empty seat is giving them more communication and media presence than winning 2016 chapionship. And they will exploit that.

Sure, Mercedes is only giving us more time to entertain ourselves here until they disappoint us with Bottas.

pretty sure

[ScottB]

I do think Bottas will have only a 1 year contract with Mercedes. So many options become available in 2018.

Vettel really must think about leaving Ferrari at the end of his contract.

There is no way Bottas will take a 1-year only.
A one-year only contract will kill your career. It just doesn't work and isn't worth the effort.
Only for a test driver or someone like Wehrlein, who doesn't do much good anyway.

Pedro De la Rosa was a perfect example on being someone to house for a year only, no strings attached.

Fisichella is a prime example of what not to do, when he went to Ferrari. Even though he was at the relative end
of his f1 career, you just can't 'enter' and perform in a car you have zero experience with. It is not realistic.
You need 2 years in a top team to show your potential, especially as a driver that has not been around for a very long time.

You need to adapt to the team, environment, car and set it up accordingly. It'll take 3 months of racing before you'll get the hang of driving a car that was designed NOT for you. And then you can start focusing on performing and trying to do your thing, learn, get 'settled' and recieve an adaptation for the year after that suits yourself a lot more.

1 year will be critically killing.

it won't be for just 1 year, period. 2 years certain if Bottas signs, with an option of 3 years.

I dunno, you'd be daft to pass up a seat in the best car on the grid.

Bottas has one year left with Williams, there was a pretty strong rumour Renault wanted him, if not for 2017, then 2018.

Going to Merc for a year still leaves him free to take that Renault seat in 2018, and if he manages to grab a couple wins next season, raises his own stock in the process. Sure, it's a risk, but one worth taking. If he does really well it could even lead to a longer deal with Merc.

Conversely, what does saying no and staying put get him? At best a switch to Renault, at worst, he loses to Stroll and his stock drops.

[Moose]

I don't get what the risk is. Every driver's goal is to get into a top tier team to prove himself.

If he doesn't believe he can prove himself, then he doesn't belong in F1. If he does, then a year at Mercedes is his goal, and he should jump on it straight away.