Rosberg retirement shock

[scimjim]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.telegr ... shock/amp/

[ScimmyMike]

Yep, bit of a shock that, now a number of current F1 drivers, cough Alonso, looking through their get out clauses in their contracts I'll bet

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38185846

[scimjim]

Or perhaps another German driver? I wonder if Vettel is really confident that Red Bull can be more competitive next year?

[peterbradbury]

I did not see this coming one bit!

It does raise an interesting question about who gets the seat! Pascal Wehrlein perhaps? He has a Mercedes link i think and would suit them being a German.

[scimjim]

Pascal Wehrlein definitely has Mercedes contacts but can you really see him getting the seat yet?

[peterbradbury]

In any other circumstances no, but I can't think of a big enough name that's not under contact either!

[ScimmyMike]

Or perhaps another German driver? I wonder if Vettel is really confident that Red Bull can be more competitive next year?

Vettel? Red Bull, have I missed something this week?

[Roger Pennington]

Wow, that's a shock!........or is it?.....

Once the euphoria of victory had died down a bit, I suspect he realised that the only way ahead was down? Regardless of whether or not you like Hamilton as a person, I think given equal opportunities then, in my mind anyway, Hamilton is always likely to come out ahead. In those circumstances, I can see him deciding that the best course was to "quit while you're ahead" and go with honour intact.

In the circumstances, never mind other top drivers leafing through their contracts, I can imagine there are some very urgent phone calls and discussions between rival team managers and their lawyers!

[CNHSS1]

Vettel, Button alonso and Verstappen are all in the frame imho, contracts are worth nowt when a guaranteed front row car is available.

Funny old game eh?

[Roger Pennington]

Yes, if I had a magic wand, how about Max Verstappen for the second seat? That would give Lewis a bit of a wake-up call I think However, I can imagine Christian Horner has got him firmly chained-up at Red Bull HQ (though I agree about contracts, Craig!)

[GTC Ian]

Or maybe Rosberg know something about next years car with all the new regulations. Mercedes were never a big fan of all the changes. Or perhaps he knew Hamilton would wipe the floor with him. Is this why they swapped mechanics at the beginning of the year? All these conspiracy theories are more intriguing than an Agatha Christie novel

[turbster]

Red Bull has been touted as the place to be next year, of course the odds of the Merc being the class of the field again are good, but would you jump from Red Bull?? I wouldn't be surprised if Vettel and Alonso were on the phone after that announcement A Button return would be amazing but I cant see that..

[Coupe Racing]

I would love to see Hamilton and Verstappen in the same team

[CNHSS1]

Major rule changes for n3xt year, Adrian Newey at Redbull would seem difficult to bet against being the best car aerodynamically although the the Infiniti badged Renault engine is still a little asthmatic. I doubt Merc will have the advantage they currently have either.
Ferrari have lost James Allison their brilliant British designer so I reckon vettel might be viewing rosbergs seat as a new opportunity, swap one German for another...
Can't see Toto and Lauda getting stroppy with Hamilton now either, threatening him with the sack was unlikely before, it's non existent now!
Next few weeks will be interesting

[greeny]

Not a betting man but if I was my money would.be on Max! Would love to see button there though.