EddScott

If they can't convince Alonso to move away from Ferrari, Lewis might be interested.

I said earlier in the thread Merc would prefer Nico with the German connection but then he isn't really "that" German. Lewis might be seen as the bigger audience draw.

Think it will take a few races to get a feel of whether this incident can be smoothed over or not.

Tidgy

they already said that nico and seb arn't cutting it for german fans, so that wont come into it, may even go against them.

how about lewis back to mclaren?

I suspect alonso will be at redbull next year with him seen with the team openly, merc will pick lewis over rosberg, their open criticism of him says they will go that way and i dont think nico is good enough for the money he will demand. which leaves seb and nico without a drive.

Button is a big question mark, I rate him very highly, but im not convinced he is a team leader, put him in a decent car and he will get result after result he proved that with brawn, wins races when he can then gets solid points. Wonder if he and lewis may end up back together at the same team?

There seems to be a few names in the background, Diresta is reliable and gets solid results when given the car to do that. He's currently with mercedes DTM team again and picking up results. I can't see roman G being at lotus next year, can;t see them being apealing for any of the top drivers. Magnassen seems to have done ok, although he is struggling with getting the right level of aggression in races.

All that said we wont know till later in season, but to have a punt i can see this,

Redbull - Alonso + Riciardo
Merceds - Hamilton + diresta
Mclaren - Rosberg + vettle
Ferrari - Raikonen + Button

rest of the teams will just be about who brings what money no mater if the drivers arn't up to it eg maldanado.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Nah, I think Alonso will stay put at Ferrari and see where they go and McLaren go next year before making his move for 2016. Kimi will remain at Ferrari too unless he decides to retire in which case it will be Bianchi in there.

I think Mercedes will definitely retain Rosberg as they will want the WC in their car and without a good deal of luck Lewis will end up runner up this year. They may be daft enough to think they can manage Rosberg and Lewis for another season, but if they do that will end up in a very bitter acrimonious season in 2015 and I don't think Lewis can handle that.

To me it all hinges on whether Lewis can turn round his bad fortune and somehow ****** this championship away from Rosberg.

Tidgy

how it ends this year will def be a case of who has better luck, nico has had it all his way this year. Hamilton has been faster but keeps getting mechanical faults or being run into, besides who does rosberg think he is, schumacher?


hehehe

Carnut

Agree with Tidgy and f1_fan, its obvious a bit of a guessing game but either way I think that there is going to be a big change to drivers seats next year.

EddScott

As F1 Fan, I think Alonso will probably stay with Ferrari another year to see how the Honda engines fair before making a switch decision. He may see out his F1 career with Ferrari. I thought Vettel was already earmarked for Ferrari as soon as Alonso moves - with Bianchi when Kimi goes.

If Lewis can't face another Mercedes drive then he really only has McLaren. Would be great to see a decent driver in this years Williams - Lewis would probably have had that car on the top step at least once. Whether it carries over is a bit of a gamble and Williams probably aren't prepared to pay Lewis' fees.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Or financially able to sadly. I would love to see them winning the championship again, but they need a works engine first.

On another note Mercedes have taken to Twitter to ask fans to vote on how to handle the future as regards the drivers, team orders etc. I knew they were going to brush it under the carpet, but this is sweeping it up and dropping it through someone else's letterbox

Mercedes asks fans to decide on team orders

ScoobyWon't

Williams may not have the cash to pay for Lewis or Fernando, but if Fernando moved to Willliams, Santander would follow, as I expect Lewis's sponsors would if he were to move there, which would allow Williams to ask for more from Martini as well. Frank's been in the game a long time, he'll know what the options are.

I still think that nothing will happen in the driver market until Fernando's future is decided.

davyboy

Here's one for you.

Ferrari - Hamilton & Button & Brawn!

Alonso at Mclaren. Kimi retires. Luca is kicked out. Alonso's 2015-2017 contract is understood to be a masterpiece.

...however, if Hamilton were to leave team then I guess they would favour the driver staying with the team so they can run the #1 plate in 2015.

Carnut

I can understand the negative comments towards Mercedes asking fans to decide but I personally think its a good idea, they won't actually make a decision based solely on what the fans say but use it to help gauge public opinion which is important in terms of sponsorship etc.

Here is one comment I liked from the link

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

LOL, that comment was posted by JackTheCat.... guess who he is?

neil-h

I really don't understand where the Vettel to Ferrari rumour keeps coming from. Moving to Ferrari would be a step backwards car wise so I can't see why he'd do it.

ScoobyWon't

Because he can't beat Ricciardo? Because he wants a better engine? Because this year he's using Webber's parts bin? Because he'd get paid more? Because Newey will have less design input in to next years Red Bull? Your guess is as good as mine.

Kwik

iTrader: (10)

I've had the feeling Mercedes are running things a little out of the ordinary, such as having no team orders as if they want more of a spectacle than a PR excercise (as long as they can have both I suspect). With Rosberg being booed on the podium and them being vocal I think Mercedes will more than likely favour Lewis.
If Rosberg wins, then will he be remembered for causing his team and his team-mate to drop what is likely to have been 25 point, or would people think he deserved to win it?.

I think behind closed doors Lewis will be Mercedes no.1, and Nico would be a little less looked after. I agree they will want a number 1 on their car for next year, but at the cost of losing a better driver to a rival?

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Remember the the old adage "There's no such thing as bad publicity" Mercedes is all anyone interested in Formula 1 is talking about at the moment.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Here we go....

Hamilton, Mercedes agree to suspend contract talks until the heat of the championship battle has died down

Want a bet Hamilton won't be there in 2016? Or even 2015?

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

So Rosberg is to be punished by Mercedes!

I wonder what they will/can actually do?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/28983758

A look at their options:

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/report/...-face-post-spa

Personally, the only way to let Lewis recover the points is by not letting Rosberg race. Or take away his performance toys such as over take and force him to run on the lowest power fuel mix.

Mercedes are far more likely to just fine him, which is a complete waste of time.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

To be honest as the week has gone on I am becoming less and less comfortable with any punishment being meted out. I am a fan of Hamilton's driving and always will be, but even with that bias I think this incident while definitely Rosberg's fault would not have been half as serious if no puncture had been incurred.

I just feel that the two of them need a stern reminder as to who pays their wages and a quick glance at the championship table will show Ricciardo coming up fast on the outside.

Bring the cars home should be the only mantra they are given and the only one they both adhere to 100%.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

I just can't ever see that happening and if I were Lewis I would not be comfortable about it.

Damon once said that had he won the 1994 championship it would have been in some ways a hollow victory as Schumacher competed in 2 fewer races than he did and was DQ'd from a further 2.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

And it seems a slap on the wrist has been administered as Lewis said it would 5 days ago.

Now watch this really explode

Tidgy

i think that spells the end for mercedes and hamilton. so Alonso to redbull, ham to ferrari and vettel to merceds next year?

It looks more and more likley next year will be a big change for all teams

ScoobyWon't

You think Alonso would give up a poor Ferrari engine for a poorer Renault engine?

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Nah. Alonso to McLaren.

neil-h

With Ron Dennis back?

Kwik

iTrader: (10)

Hmmm they've both agreed that they won't talk to other people until the season is over. I can see that really working in Lewis' favour in that he now needs to prove his worth and Mercedes need to prove either Lewis or any other drivers that they can provide a reliable car as well as being competitive.
Hopefully Lewis will react in a mature manor and let his results do the talking. I think Hamilton will win the championship and Mercedes will have him as their number 1 next season.

Carnut

I am going to assume that jackthecat is you which in that case doesn't surprise me, as much as we butt heads when it comes to f1 I have to say I agree with alot you say.

now just for balance

neil-h

Because he's got such a good track record for doing that.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

It will end in tears.... at best!

Kwik

iTrader: (10)

He has to mature at some point.

neil-h

Around about the point where he's sued by Mercedes for posting all of Nicos race data in Twitter.