2016 Formula One Season

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Apparently, Bottas' contract is for one year with no options so after next season he's free to move on to bigger teams if an opportunity arises. Now the question is: can Williams Stroll to victory in 2017?

(For the record, I claim copyright to all Stroll puns)

[Quiksilver]

Who the fuxx is that Strüddel ?

[MadRacer38]

Palmer confirmed at Renault probably means Ocon or Wehrlein will be staying at Manor with the other taking a spot at Force India.

Magnussen to Haas which is a win! Good to see him stay in the series, even though Haas are still an unknown factor after their strong start but poor finish to this season.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

I read that Ocon is the favourite for the Force India seat, although I'd personally give Wehrlein the chance. Also, Ericsson looks set to remain at Sauber.

[MadRacer38]

Ocon locked into to Force India on a 'multi-year' deal and Wehrlein ain't happy about it.

[MadRacer38]

So, who replaces the world champion?

Does Wehrlein get a shot early in his career? (Worked for Max...)
Does Button get a call up? (Sensible driver, good choice for 1 year deal)
People want Alonzo there? (Would McLaren let him go?)
Someone to break contact? (Perez has earned a shot)
What about a driver without a contact? (Gutierrez, Haryanto, Gasly)
Or something from left field?

The fact it has come so late in the piece means most drivers have signed themselves into a team for next and beyond. With Williams and Force India taking a young driver each, they'll be clinging to their experienced heads to ensure they deliver when the opportunity presents.

Does the top team really want a back marker or someone who has spent very little time in F1?
Could they sway a Massa or Button back into the seat?

A lot of decisions for Toto. Let's see what happens

[Pollie]

Perez to Mercedes. Sainz to force inda and a new rookie for torro rosso????
that could be a nice one. If force india loses Perez they need someone whit a bit of experience

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

I'll say it's gonna be one of these three:

Jenson Button. Has suggested he may have made the decision to retire too early. Has a long history with the team during Honda and Brawn. Steady guy who can bring home points, and certainly popular with the team - after all, he drove their maiden win (Honda, 2006) and first championship (Brawn, 2009). The team wanted to keep him for 2010 and beyond, but he chose McLaren instead.

Pascal Wehrlein. Scored a point with the worst car of the grid and made several appearances in Q2. He is a Mercedes man, and German, which cannot hurt. Then again, Force India chose Esteban Ocon instead in a decision where Mercedes must have had some say, which could show that they don't trust him entirely. Or did they suspect at the time that one of the Mercedes drivers would be leaving, and wanted to keep him available...?

Valtteri Bottas. Has good relations with Toto Wolff who helped him get the Williams drive. Has never failed to beat a teammate, and has been obliterating Felipe Massa for the past three years. Is under contract for one more year, but I doubt the contract is waterproof. He is one of those drivers that teams will compete over when guys like Räikkönen and Alonso retire. This would give Mercedes the chance to snatch him before the others. Williams could get cheaper engines and Pascal Wehrlein in trade.

[Quiksilver]

also think about someone like Wittmann who won the DTM title so easy and shown amazing pace. And what about Hulkenberg who always was a superb fast racer in GP2 often a lot faster then most others ...

[MadRacer38]

also think about someone like Wittmann who won the DTM title so easy and shown amazing pace. And what about Hulkenberg who always was a superb fast racer in GP2 often a lot faster then most others ...

I doubt Hulkenburg would be released by Renault and if they where considering Wittmann because of his DTM pace, they might as well take Wehrlein. He has a DTM title and year of F1 experience.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/wolff ... er-856691/

That article gives the impression that the new Mercedes driver will not be anyone who is currently under contract by another team. In another interview, Wolff said that Pascal Wehrlein and Lewis Hamilton would be "too explosive". Meanwhile, Niki Lauda said that he would love for Kimi Räikkönen or Fernando Alonso to replace Rosberg - then again, Räikkönen (and Daniil Kvyat) are the only drivers who have not been in contact with Mercedes, unlike everyone else on the grid + Pastor Maldonado and Vitaly Petrov. And if Wehrlein and Hamilton would be too explosive, what would happen with Alonso and Hamilton? Well - we already know the answer to that, don't we?

It all points out to Jenson Button getting the drive, in my opinion.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

A new surprise candidate has entered the competition for the Mercedes drive.

[MadRacer38]

Surprisingly, Massa confirmed reports that he'd thrown his hat in the ring as well.

Toto has said he would like Alonso, although Button seems more likely (don't forget, Button is still under contact with McLaren/Honda next year).

As for Kimi, he has said on many occasions he'd finish his career with Ferrari so I doubt we'll get any movement from the Finn.

[kacinoman]

Watch the F1 2016 Season Review in 8-bit version!

[Quiksilver]

I already posted it on my facebook a while ago ..this is really so funny hahahaha