F1 2017

[Basil B]

8 hours ago, Mosha said:

Toto back pedalling lol.

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10687548/mercedes-regret-giving-lewis-hamilton-orders-at-abu-dhabi-gp

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Mercedes had nothing to gain other than another one-two, Lewis was doing what any intelligent person in his position would have done...

 

[Basil B]

Toto's other joke backfires...

Quote

Fernando Alonso is not a candidate to replace world champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, the Spaniard's manager Flavio Briatore has said.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said on Monday that he "had to consider"Alonso as a replacement for the German, who announced his retirement last week.

The two-time champion is contracted to McLaren until the end of 2017

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38263573

[Basil B]

The 2017 entry list in full:

Car N°	Driver’s Name	Team Name
8	Romain GROSJEAN	HAAS F1 TEAM
20	Kevin MAGNUSSEN	HAAS F1 TEAM
27	Nicolas HULKENBERG	RENAULT SPORT FORMULA ONE TEAM
30	Jolyon PALMER	RENAULT SPORT FORMULA ONE TEAM
14	Fernando ALONSO	MCLAREN HONDA FORMULA 1 TEAM
2	Stoffel VANDOORNE	MCLAREN HONDA FORMULA 1 TEAM
TBC	TBC	MANOR RACING MRT
TBC	TBC	MANOR RACING MRT
44	Lewis HAMILTON	MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS MOTORSPORT
TBC	TBC	MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS MOTORSPORT
3	Daniel RICCIARDO	RED BULL RACING
33	Max VERSTAPPEN	RED BULL RACING
11	Sergio PEREZ MENDOZA	SAHARA FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM
31	Esteban OCON	SAHARA FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM
9	Marcus ERICSSON	SAUBER F1 TEAM
TBC	TBC	SAUBER F1 TEAM
5	Sebastian VETTEL	SCUDERIA FERRARI
7	Kimi RAIKKONNEN	SCUDERIA FERRARI
55	Carlos SAINZ Jr	SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO
26	Daniil KVYAT	SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO
77	Valtteri BOTTAS	WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING
18	Lance STROLL	WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

[Basil B]

Williams reject offer of 10m Euros for Bottas...

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38282791

 

That is 1/2 the Engine bill 2017, and the rumour is Williams need the money and just hoping Mercedes will up the offer.

 

The key has to be Wehrlein, Manor has not named him as a driver for 2017 so Mercedes could offer him as a part exchange in a revised offer, or run him themselves.

[Guest]

Williams wants an experienced driver to have one seat. Perhaps they could bring Massa back to the team. Button already declined, but maybe he could be persuaded to drive one more year?

 

[Basil B]

And Paddy Lowe is dotting the i's and crossing the t's on his Williams contract...  

[Guest]

There was a nice story about Nico, how he changed his life to beat Lewis in 2016.

 

He started to meditate, do mindfulness,  drive co-carts to keep his driving skills up to date (F1 driving is limited, co-carting is not) among other things. Nico really wanted to win the world championship title and finally managed to do so. It was a lot of hard work. 

Meanwhile Lewis was living his typical Hi-So life, which he is entitled to do and can easily pay for.

 

The story is here in Finnish. Use google translate plugin if needed. http://www.iltalehti.fi/formulat/201612142200040371_fo.shtml

 

[Basil B]

Seems Williams may well let Bottas go to Mercedes... 

 

Williams  need an experienced driver to replace Bottas, seems Williams may well be trying to get Massa to return for another season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38335169

 

 

[Mosha]

Seems Williams may well let Bottas go to Mercedes... 
 
Williams  need an experienced driver to replace Bottas, seems Williams may well be trying to get Massa to return for another season.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38335169
 
 

Would he have to give his parting gift back?

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[Basil B]

4 hours ago, Mosha said:

Would he have to give his parting gift back?

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In exchange for a golden handshake...

[Basil B]

BBC say's

Quote

Valtteri Bottas set for Mercedes and Felipe Massa to re-join William

 

Seems Massa has been talked round and Bottas is all packed ready to move to Mercedes...

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38384982

[Basil B]

End of the road for Silverstone...

 

Quote

Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone told ITV News: "If they want to activate a break clause, there is nothing we can do.

"Two other tracks have contacted us and we are keen to keep a British Grand Prix, there is no doubt about it, we want to have one."

Three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart added: "I think it's a credible threat, not impossible for it to happen. I would be very sad if it did.

"There's no other race track that would be able to host the British Grand Prix.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38526002

 

I think Sir Jackie is right, no other track is capable of holding it  ...without major track changes, improved infrastructure, parking and access, that going to cost a lot of money and I do not see the UK government willingly to dig deep in the treasury coffers.  

[Guest]

I have been waiting to hear confirmation that Bottas will drive Merc next season.. All the signs are there, but still no news. 

 

I wonder how long it will take to get all the pieces in place?

 

[Basil B]

2 hours ago, oilinki said:

I have been waiting to hear confirmation that Bottas will drive Merc next season.. All the signs are there, but still no news. 

 

I wonder how long it will take to get all the pieces in place?

 

 

lot of hardball bluffing...

 

Now that Manor look likely to be none starters, so Pascal is available should Massa not be...

 

Mercedes are going to have plenty of spare engines left over if Manor are out of the game.  

[Basil B]

Well it is official...

 

Quote

Valtteri Bottas has succeeded retired world champion Nico Rosberg as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate at Mercedes.

The move, expected since December, also sees Brazilian Felipe Massa come out of retirement to replace the 27-year-old Finn at Williams.

Bottas has signed a one-year deal with the option for more, while Rosberg moves into an ambassadorial role.

Mercedes' young driver Pascal Wehrlein, passed over in favour of Bottas, joins the Swiss Sauber team.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38489054

[ignis]

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10740137/ross-brawn-back-in-f1-as-part-of-new-look-management-team

 

[Basil B]

Nice to see Ross back...

 

And Bernie is getting the boot. 

Quote

Bernie Ecclestone has been removed from his position running Formula 1 as US giant Liberty Media completes its $8bn (£6.4bn) takeover of the sport.

Ecclestone, 86, who has been in charge for nearly 40 years, has been appointed chairman emeritus and will act as an adviser to the board.

Chase Carey has had Ecclestone's former role of chief executive officer added to his existing position of chairman.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38723001