Vettel's future
Discussion
Watching Vettel's obvious annoyance during this weekend's race I couldn't help wandering how long it will be before Vettel's people start talking to Mercedes? I know Mercedes have a strong driver line up but how about the scenario(s) played out in the early 90s at Williams between Mansell/ Senna/ Prost? If Vettel started talking seriously Merc would have to be interested surely? Would one of the two current drivers spit their dummies out and jump to Red Bull or Ferrari? Merc have the advantage this year so far, but traditionally the updates come in Europe so I would not be surprised for the others to start getting closer.
Just an thought.
Just an thought.
Why would Merc want Vettel when they already have two drivers who are probably at least equal to him in ability, and one of them quite possibly better?
I also don't think RBR will be behind the game for too long. It's probably too late for them to recover this season, but with another engine homologation period coming up for 2015 I would expect Renault to close the gap in the engine department, leaving Mercedes trying to out-develop Newey for future success.
I also don't think RBR will be behind the game for too long. It's probably too late for them to recover this season, but with another engine homologation period coming up for 2015 I would expect Renault to close the gap in the engine department, leaving Mercedes trying to out-develop Newey for future success.
What's to say they wouldn't be 1st & 2nd with Vettel in the line-up? Top drivers want to be in the top cars and as the current rule changes were designed to stop the dominance of aero-led designs, why wouldn't he want to be in a Merc?
Merc would explode with glee if they had two German drivers...
Note: I'm not pro Vettel/ anti Hamilton/ Rosberg, I'm just pointing out the similarity to Prost's jump to Williams because of their superior car. Mansell buggering off to Indy car because he didn't want to work with Prost. etc.
Merc would explode with glee if they had two German drivers...
Note: I'm not pro Vettel/ anti Hamilton/ Rosberg, I'm just pointing out the similarity to Prost's jump to Williams because of their superior car. Mansell buggering off to Indy car because he didn't want to work with Prost. etc.
It's a little early for that.
You have to bet on Renault improving the engine, the fia will maybe bend the rules if this doesn't happen by itself, or RB will just get a better lump poss merc or honda. Vettel has a team in RB who respect him and will build a car around him, the current issues are just a phase and he needs to bide his time and at least give them a chance.
If vettel went to merc (to replace rosberg?) he'd be alongside one of the naturally fastest drivers of this era and I doubt there'd be any no1 driver lark in his favour. And evan Rosberg would threaten him. would be interesting though.
You have to bet on Renault improving the engine, the fia will maybe bend the rules if this doesn't happen by itself, or RB will just get a better lump poss merc or honda. Vettel has a team in RB who respect him and will build a car around him, the current issues are just a phase and he needs to bide his time and at least give them a chance.
If vettel went to merc (to replace rosberg?) he'd be alongside one of the naturally fastest drivers of this era and I doubt there'd be any no1 driver lark in his favour. And evan Rosberg would threaten him. would be interesting though.
What happens in RB if Riccardo continues to be better than Vettel in the current car configuration? I'm not saying DR is the better driver, but I can't help but think the new ERS is giving the old school drivers headaches.
I'd be more inclined to think Hamilton would move rather than Rosberg. I know its very early in the season but 'talks' take a lot of time to conclude. If the Merc pair end up being very close throughout the season I still believe Rosberg may win simply because of his standing in the team.
I'd be more inclined to think Hamilton would move rather than Rosberg. I know its very early in the season but 'talks' take a lot of time to conclude. If the Merc pair end up being very close throughout the season I still believe Rosberg may win simply because of his standing in the team.
If Mercedes can finish 1-2 without him, there is no need for them to potentially destabilise their team by introducing another WDC driver into the mix.
He's said in the past that he might one day want to go to Ferrari, but would he really want to go up against Alonso, or Hamilton at Merc, if they were his teammate? If he really wanted to leave RBR, where could he realistically go?
Vettel and Hamilton are contracted to their current teams until the end of 2015, and Alonso until 2016. Rosberg's contract is up at the end of this season.
He's said in the past that he might one day want to go to Ferrari, but would he really want to go up against Alonso, or Hamilton at Merc, if they were his teammate? If he really wanted to leave RBR, where could he realistically go?
Vettel and Hamilton are contracted to their current teams until the end of 2015, and Alonso until 2016. Rosberg's contract is up at the end of this season.
fatbutt said:
What happens in RB if Riccardo continues to be better than Vettel in the current car configuration? I'm not saying DR is the better driver, but I can't help but think the new ERS is giving the old school drivers headaches.
I'd be more inclined to think Hamilton would move rather than Rosberg. I know its very early in the season but 'talks' take a lot of time to conclude. If the Merc pair end up being very close throughout the season I still believe Rosberg may win simply because of his standing in the team.
Think hamilton has a contract for 2015.I'd be more inclined to think Hamilton would move rather than Rosberg. I know its very early in the season but 'talks' take a lot of time to conclude. If the Merc pair end up being very close throughout the season I still believe Rosberg may win simply because of his standing in the team.
But too early to call, you'd have to bet on at least one outfit closing the gap to merc even if this years a write off it'll set them up for 2015. Jumping now would be impetuous.
I wouldn't bet against ferrari making a move on ricciardo, in fact I wouldn't be that half the pit lane are chatting him up. Do RB have him in contract for 2015?
I wouldn't bet against Vettel having a team performance clause that allows him out if the team fails to deliver a winning car. Its not like that hasn't been done before either.
I didn't realize Rosberg's contract was up at the end of this year. It'll be interesting to see when they announce the extension (assuming they do). Timing could be everything on that score.
The European stretch is going to be interesting...
I didn't realize Rosberg's contract was up at the end of this year. It'll be interesting to see when they announce the extension (assuming they do). Timing could be everything on that score.
The European stretch is going to be interesting...
thegreenhell said:
If Mercedes can finish 1-2 without him, there is no need for them to potentially destabilise their team by introducing another WDC driver into the mix.
on the other hand, merc might see vettel/red bull as the combo most likely to challenge them for the titles in 2016. Giving vettel a drive removes that threat and maybe destabilises RB a bit.why would merc want vettel? They have the driver they want who if for some reason next years car is a dog he can still drag a result out of it. If they wanted an even stronger line up then getting alonso (who must be sick and fed of of ferrari failing to deliver) would be the target. But with such a dominant car they are in the same position as red bull were only needing the 2nd driver to pick up enough points to secure the constructors. Lets remember its looking like the red bull is going to be the number 2 car this season so that gives seb his biggest chance and chance to prove he can drag a result out of a inferior car. A feat imo that hamilton, alonso and hulkenberg have only achieved in recent years.
Gaz. said:
hairyben said:
on the other hand, merc might see vettel/red bull as the combo most likely to challenge them for the titles in 2016. Giving vettel a drive removes that threat and maybe destabilises RB a bit.
Then Merc's problems would just be someone else in the RB11 alongside Ricciardo who himself could probably give them a headache too.Not saying it's the "right" thing for them but an alternative way of looking at it.
williamp said:
Vettel will replace kimi at Ferrari. Kimi will try to be nonchelant and get into sportscars
your first part is more likely than Vettel going to Merc. Kimi in sportscars!?! don't see it, he'd get bored with a 6h race, let alone 24!Can't see any reason for Vettel to want to leave RB - the car appears to be fundamentally quick (you wouldn't expect any less from Newey) but is currently hampered by power issues, not just max available, but reliability etc of the recovery systems and batteries - again, not a surprise given Newey's distain for giving the mechanical bits any space: but space = cooling in the new F1, so he needs to change his approach, at least a little. Also, at RB Horner won't ever sanction him for failing to follow instructions from the pit wall and even if he was tempted to, Vettel's guardian angel (Marko) is always lurking in the background to keep things on script.
fatbutt said:
Merc would explode with glee if they had two German drivers...
You may have something there fatbutt. When M-B F1 took over the Brawn operation there was much discussion. ISTR at that time reading that an ideal driver line up for them would be two Germans. That could still come about ... or, not.
All added interest to the melting pot.
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