Formula One - 2016

Holy E36 M3!

The barristers are going to be busy with every driver trying to figure out how they can break their contract to compete for that seat.

What a shocker if true, I guess he can't defend it against Hamilton.

Very stunning, I looked for the same new on Autosport, confirming it.

wow.

Nico ought to really thank Wolfe and Lauda for that going away gift...

Just checked this thread to see if it's announced.

I'm shocked! I agree he has really come on this year and could give the fight to Hamilton. I'm surprised at the one and done mentality. Maybe he wants to compete in other series before he gets too old?

This opens a serious hole for Mercedes. Vandoorn is a possibility, and would make the most sense. I doubt Mercedes will be able to pull another driver in that short amount of time. Maybe unretire Massa or Button?

-Rob

TBH I'm disappointed. I think this year Nico really raised his game and looked like a serious contender and didn't allow Lewis to mind berkeley him into mistakes he's made in the past. Most drivers seem to mature after their first crown and mature into even better drivers, Prost, Hammy, Alonso all come to mind. I'd really like to see the new Nico 3.0 defend next year and see how he'd do against the already crowned champ on a more emotionally level playing field.

Good luck to him, his wife and kid. I hope they're happy, he earned it fare and square this year.

To me, Button is the perfect choice.

Team player, will make a strong #2, he and Hamilton seemed to have a good working relationship at McLaren and he doesn't have a drive next year.

I'd vote the Lewis/Jenson ticket.

The phones at Mercedes F1 are on fire right now

Alonso to Mercedes

WOW - just WOW. Massa, Button, and Rosberg out at the same time...

Now if Vettle & Alonso would retire I could enjoy the season better. I was glad when Schumi retired for the same reasons I'd like to see them go.

Attitudes and lack of sportsmanship help destroy the sport. A leopard doesn't change his spots

I read an editorial that suggested he just didn't like the pressure of maintaining that level of performance. Same vibe as what I got from Jensen.

I'd be shocked if Jensen unretired. I see somebody going to Merc by getting out of their top end ride...Seb...and a backmarker moving to Ferrari, and a rookie coming into Force India, for example.

I think what will make a great movie is the behind the scenes of what really happened at Mercedes. I think Button is a no brainier, he will follow team orders and bring the car home, in addition he has already been teamattes with hamilton. Perhaps they want to stick with a german and would call from DTM racer CHRISTIAN VIETORIS. I don't think that P. Wherlain or Ocon could handle being teammates with Hamilton without alienating themselves. Then again some of Ocon's comments make him sound very arrogant like Max V.

84FSP wrote: WOW - just WOW. Massa, Button, and Rosberg out at the same time...

Loosing 2.99 world champions all in one go

Streetwiseguy wrote: I read an editorial that suggested he just didn't like the pressure of maintaining that level of performance. Same vibe as what I got from Jensen. I'd be shocked if Jensen unretired. I see somebody going to Merc by getting out of their top end ride...Seb...and a backmarker moving to Ferrari, and a rookie coming into Force India, for example.

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see if Mercedes is willing to buy out Vettel's contract. :)

codrus wrote:

Streetwiseguy wrote: I read an editorial that suggested he just didn't like the pressure of maintaining that level of performance. Same vibe as what I got from Jensen. I'd be shocked if Jensen unretired. I see somebody going to Merc by getting out of their top end ride...Seb...and a backmarker moving to Ferrari, and a rookie coming into Force India, for example.

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see if Mercedes is willing to buy out Vettel's contract. :)

One one hand, I couldn't imagine those two being on the same team and it working at all. Both have (possibly deservedly) huge egos that prevent either one from playing the number 2 role.

On the other hand, it would prove which one is really the better driver. Personally, I think with equal cars, Hamilton would beat Vettle every time. Hamilton has proved to be a winner on different teams. Vettle only won with Red Bull was on top. They're both terrific drivers, but I think Hamilton would have the edge.

But, let's play that game a little further for fun (although there's a slim to none chance of it happening):

• Hamilton/Alonso: I think (if his heart is really still in it), Alonso would come out on top
• Hamilton/Raikonnen: Kimi's a great driver, but I think he has the smaller ego and would play 2nd man with no issues
• Hamilton/Button: As before, Hamilton on top
• Hamilton/Riccardo: Tough. I think Daniel has the chops, so it could be close
• Hamilton/Verstappen: Man, would I like to see this pairing. I think Max is a huge talent. He probably has much more skill, but I also think it would up Hamilton's game significantly and make him a better driver.
• Hamilton/Massa: Massa would be 2nd all the time. I just don't think he has it anymore
• Hamilton/Bottas: Much like Kimi, I don't think Bottas has the ego to push for number one and would be content (not happy) to play second fiddle.

I think the rest of the current drivers would be happy to be on Mercedes, period, in whatever role was asked of them.

-Rob

Crazy news,on one hand easy to see a guy that doesn't need to make another penny to live a very happy life that just achieved a lifelong goal say ya I'm done.

But for me I couldn't give up without at least one more season to hopefully prove worthy of the title(not that I don't think he is worthy 'cause he is)to shut the naysayers up.

Too bad I can't lose about 20 yrs,about 100lbs,suddenly develop some massive talent AND get adopted by a billionaire.

Adrian_Thompson wrote:

84FSP wrote: WOW - just WOW. Massa, Button, and Rosberg out at the same time...

Loosing 2.99 world champions all in one go

LOL. I still remember Massa and his fathers reactions when Hamilton was given the position and he lost the championship....

Now would be a good time for Mercedes to bring some one new instead of looking inside the fraternity.

iceracer wrote: Now would be a good time for Mercedes to bring some one new instead of looking inside the fraternity.

There's a pretty strong argument that someone new would actually be a bad idea. Mercedes wants to win the constructor's championship again next year (there's a lot of money in doing that), but there are new aero rules and Adrian Newey is back at Red Bull. So to do that they need to make sure they maximize the points out of both drivers.

Look at 2008. Hamilton won the driver's championship, but McLaren lost the constructor's championship to Ferrari because the new guy they brought up (Kovalainen) was nowhere close to as fast as Hamilton.