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Mercedes has two good junior drivers with Ocon and Wehrlein. I'd say that both are ready for Mercedes, Ocon probably more than Wehrlein. So why not get one of those two?
The 2017 F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation threadFormula 1
- Thread starter mister dog
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Because there's absolutely no reason to let Bottas go.
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- catamount39
And because neither are as good as their current drivers.
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Bottas is currently third in the driver's standings, has two wins and isn't actively making Hamilton feel threatened or uncomfortable like Rosberg was (well, not yet anyway). The only reason I could see Mercedes replacing him is if they really, really wanted Alonso to come in and/or Bottas' performance fell off the cliff over the last half of the season.
Bottas is more experienced and has proven to be a good team player, that counts a lot for a team like Mercedes that's fighting for the driver's and constructor's championships. Also Hamilton said he'd be in favor of Bottas staying for next season. As long as Bottas keeps up good results Mercedes will most likely keep him & Hamilton.
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- mustafur
To be fair though, when rosberg and Hamilton were team mates they where clearly the fastest now that we have a two team championship it changes
the complex entirely, a bad race doesn't just mean 2nd place anymore.
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- HamiltonMP427
I don't know about that, Ocon has put on quite a performance against Perez and I think he could slot in where Bottas is, Wherlien as well but with a bit more work on his attitude.
Doesn't change the point, that Bottas is still young and is doing fine, he's had mistakes but so have the long time Mercedes drivers of current and before him.
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Bottas seems to be completely immune to psychological warfare (although maybe he just hasn't experienced it in full force). As much as Hamilton got into Rosberg's head, I think Rosberg returned serve and was far more effective than Hamilton was willing to admit. Bottas, however, has shown no desire to engage in mind games.
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- mustafur
I think its a Finnish thing, I don't recall Keke, Mika and Kimi haven't really had any hostile team situations when fighting for championships either.
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- TenEightyOne
- TenEightyOne
Next year will see Verstappen in a Ferrari (RB may have a contract but Horner has said he can't keep a driver who doesn't want to be there) while Alonso takes Verstappen's seat at Red Bull. You heard it here first.
And possibly last.
And possibly last.
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- TenEightyOne
- TenEightyOne
They do however hire mad-fast drivers. And Massa was only 23 when he joined them, Vettel was only 21 when he won with Ferrari power in F1 even if he was 27 when he finally stepped up to a red car. Verstappen will turn 21 next year, I don't see a problem
You're probably right. Whatever Alonso chooses in F1 will be the wrong choice of course, he left McLaren in 2007 before they took a WDC in 2008, turned down Brawn for 2009 (the year they took a WDC) and famously left Ferrari before they hit top form (WDC to follow?).
A move to Renault would be exactly on form for him although it does mean that McLaren might take a WDC
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- TenEightyOne
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Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne has told Vettel he can have a new contract whenever he wants, but has referred to Kimi Raikkonen as a "laggard".
I guess we know who's more likely to get bumped if Verstappen does find his way to Ferrari next year...
I guess we know who's more likely to get bumped if Verstappen does find his way to Ferrari next year...
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- TenEightyOne
- TenEightyOne
On the back of that news Horner has confirmed that Verstappen's contract doesn't expire until the end of 2019. Ferrari have said that they're not interested in Alonso returning. I guess now the smart money would be on Perez moving to the Ferrari vacancy if it appears.
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Kvyat is set to stay at Toro Rosso nect year:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/130651/kvyat-set-to-stay-at-toro-rosso-in-2018
It seems an odd choice, given that they have shafted Gasly. But I noticed that Horner has only said that Verstappen is under contract - and I'm betting that doesn't take into account performance clauses. If Verstappen wants out because the car isn't there, they probably cannot stop him.
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- TenEightyOne
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You could be right but if any driver was willing to sign on the dotted line without too much argument it may well have been Verstappen last year.
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- I_powerslide
Gasly has been pretty underwhelming thus far in Super Formula. 4 races in and his best result is a 5th, while fellow rookies Nick Cassidy and Felix Rosenquist have already podiumed. His results look even worse if you compare him to Vandoorne (Who had a pole and a win 4 races into last year despite driving for a weaker team.) Unless he picks up the pace it won't be hard for Red Bull to justify keeping him on the sidelines. As is, it's hard to see him as an upgrade on Kvyat.
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Maybe, but Jos has been overseeing his career and he's a pretty tough character. He'd probably make sure performance clauses were in place.
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- HamiltonMP427
I've been calling that, unless his team mate tricks him into staying with FI again.
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I don't really see it myself. I like Pérez, but I can't see him in a top team.
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Okay, I don't know why not, he has been the biggest reason for a while that FI has been so high up in the constructors as they have. Granted they have a very underrated team of engineers, but still for what they are, and the fact their drivers challenge for podium more often than
Williams. It is something worth note when evaluating drivers to potentially replace yours, and Ferrari has had interest in Perez before.
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I just don't see him as being able to replicate that level of performance in a top team. He - and Grosjean - were under consideration a few years ago, and Ferrari passed on both of them.
The way I see it, Ferrari have four options for 2018:
1) Extend Räikkönen's contact and wait until their preferred driver - Verstappen - becomes available. However, this seems to be more of a last resort than anything else as Marchionne clearly isn't satisfied with him.
2a) Try and dig Verstappen out of his Red Bull contract. This depends on how much they want him, and it could get messy. He will have exit clauses in his contract - the FIA's Contract Review Board won't let a team have an absolute monopoly on him.
2b) Try and persuade Verstappen to walk away from Red Bull of his own volition. This would depend on the performance clauses of Verstappen's contract so it may not even be possible.
3a) Take an established driver. They have several candidates - like Pérez and Grosjean - but they would have to ask what they're getting relative to what they have. He might be under-performing, but Räikkönen is nevertheless a known quantity.
3b) Stick it to the opposition. Several teams have excellent candidates waiting in the wings, but if there are no vacancies in the top team, they can - and will - look elsewhere. Sainz Jnr., Ocon, Wehrlein and even Vandoorne could fit here.
4) Take a chance and sign a rookie. Charles Leclerc is a Ferrari junior driver and he is practically unstoppable in Formula 2. It would be a huge risk and very out of character - I can't remember the last time they did it - but if they really want to replace Räikkönen, then taking the plunge and doing something radical could be genius. Or disaster.
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Verstappen admits that he's losing confidence in his situation at Red Bull:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/130655/verstappen-losing-confidence-in-his-situation
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/130655/verstappen-losing-confidence-in-his-situation
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- Vinylshark
I can't really see Verstappen getting a Ferrari cockpit as long as Vettel is at Ferrari. I'm sure Vettel wouldn't be thrilled at all to have Max on his team and I don't think that Ferrari will take any risks of losing Vettel.
I'd say Perez should have the best chances to replace Kimi at Ferrari. Personally I'd like to see Hülkenberg replacing Kimi, but I doubt that Ferrari has any real interest in Hülkenberg.
I'd say Perez should have the best chances to replace Kimi at Ferrari. Personally I'd like to see Hülkenberg replacing Kimi, but I doubt that Ferrari has any real interest in Hülkenberg.
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Ferrari don't tolerate pampered little princes. If Vettel were to have a tantrum over their signing Verstappen, I imagine Marchionne would tell him to get with the programme or get out.
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