Toto: play nicely boys, or else!
Discussion
Toto going on record to say if Lewis and Nico cannot work together, one will have to go.
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/wolff-driver-ten...
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/wolff-driver-ten...
I'm not sure it's going to be an easy decision for Mercedes.
Lewis has ignored team orders in the past, he's missed at least one test session and he's pretty aggressive with his team mate on track.
He's fast, there's no doubt about that, but in the last few races, Nico has been faster.
Lewis has ignored team orders in the past, he's missed at least one test session and he's pretty aggressive with his team mate on track.
He's fast, there's no doubt about that, but in the last few races, Nico has been faster.
SlipStream77 said:
I'm not sure it's going to be an easy decision for Mercedes.
Lewis has ignored team orders in the past, he's missed at least one test session and he's pretty aggressive with his team mate on track.
He's fast, there's no doubt about that, but in the last few races, Nico has been faster.
Lewis has a gazillion pound contract until 2018 inclusive and, like him or not, has dominated this yearLewis has ignored team orders in the past, he's missed at least one test session and he's pretty aggressive with his team mate on track.
He's fast, there's no doubt about that, but in the last few races, Nico has been faster.
He's a triple world champion
Nico is out of contract next season.
If they drop one, it doesn't take a rocket science to suss out who.
It's PR. When they've their cars (complete with Mercedes badge and sponsor names) finishing 1st and 2nd virtually every single race, why would they risk changing that? It gets them exposure, and exposure is money. Lots of money. Any "friction" between the driver just keeps MB dominating the sports pages and keeping their rivals out. And this is just the same for the off season...
Smollet said:
Rosberg has always been a bit of tosser when it comes to teammates. Hamilton hasn't compared to him
I didn't really pay him much attention until he was against Schumacher, what has he done in the past? Lewis famously fell out with Alonso (probably not too hard!), has proved equally as annoying as Rosberg and seemed OK with Button (odd tweet aside).
As someone else noted, Merc could swap them both for any top 10 driver and still have the same results. They don't have Newey or any superstar genius to build the team around, so I don't see why either of them can't be booted if they damage the internal workings or external image of the team too much. Makes me wonder if Alonso would even have been entertained!
I may be wrong, but Lewis seems more vocal in disagreeing with the team than Rosberg, this last race being an example wrt both strategy and engine maps. That may just be because he has more mic time in the UK though.
Edited by glazbagun on Thursday 3rd December 03:20
Remember Mercedes stated in 2010, when they started, that they were aiming for a German team with a German Champion, they have the car. Next year they can decide who they want as champion.
Keep LH tied up without a drive so no one else can claim the champion in their car, they could get a second driver for nothing, so there would be little/no cash flow impact, sponsors would be tied in and by 2017 Nico would be Champion and sponsors would resign.
How likely this is is any ones guess but LH is not in a bullet proof position.
Keep LH tied up without a drive so no one else can claim the champion in their car, they could get a second driver for nothing, so there would be little/no cash flow impact, sponsors would be tied in and by 2017 Nico would be Champion and sponsors would resign.
How likely this is is any ones guess but LH is not in a bullet proof position.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/34985147
Apparently Nico complains a lot.
I am sure he does, but basically every time he doesn't win Hamilton also dips into his big box of excuses.
Unfortunately they are both turning into tedious cry babies - hopefully Mercedes can instill the need for them to act like grown ups!
(If one does go, Nico is the obvious choice on both a sporting and commercial basis)
Apparently Nico complains a lot.
I am sure he does, but basically every time he doesn't win Hamilton also dips into his big box of excuses.
Unfortunately they are both turning into tedious cry babies - hopefully Mercedes can instill the need for them to act like grown ups!
(If one does go, Nico is the obvious choice on both a sporting and commercial basis)
Lewis is worth a LOT of money to the team - sponsorship, publicity etc. Nico is not even that popular in Germany it seems, which is a bit of a shame. To me, this is almost like telling Nico to put up with No.2 Driver status, which is odd because I don't think Lewis would like that, he wants a scrap and to win to say he was best when they are both given equal chances...
Muzzer79 said:
Lewis has a gazillion pound contract until 2018 inclusive and, like him or not, has dominated this year
He's a triple world champion
Nico is out of contract next season.
If they drop one, it doesn't take a rocket science to suss out who.
This is a super-straightforward assessment, but probably on the money. Hamilton also brings in a far bigger audience than Nico, probably even in Germany.He's a triple world champion
Nico is out of contract next season.
If they drop one, it doesn't take a rocket science to suss out who.
Alonso comment on how "calm" he's been this season:
Alonso said:
As for those who are ‘surprised’ by how calm Alonso has been in 2015, the Spaniard answered: “I think it is something that has always been there — that (perception that) there are always problems with me or I get angry.
“I have to say I am surprised because quite often I finished the world championship at the final race without success, sometimes dramatically like Abu Dhabi in 2010 and Brazil 2012, but I always put the best of me, keeping a good attitude and staying close to the team.
“Now we see that Mercedes is dominating the podium but throwing caps at each other, not talking … and nobody says anything! And when I’m positive, working with the team with a good attitude if I’m tenth, second or first, it is my attitude that is surprising,” he added.
Not quite sure where he gets the "nobody says anything" comment from, but I couldn't help wonder at how entertaining it would be to have Lewis and Alonso back in the same team again if it were to be Nico who leaves. “I have to say I am surprised because quite often I finished the world championship at the final race without success, sometimes dramatically like Abu Dhabi in 2010 and Brazil 2012, but I always put the best of me, keeping a good attitude and staying close to the team.
“Now we see that Mercedes is dominating the podium but throwing caps at each other, not talking … and nobody says anything! And when I’m positive, working with the team with a good attitude if I’m tenth, second or first, it is my attitude that is surprising,” he added.
Jasandjules said:
Lewis is worth a LOT of money to the team - sponsorship, publicity etc. Nico is not even that popular in Germany it seems, which is a bit of a shame. To me, this is almost like telling Nico to put up with No.2 Driver status, which is odd because I don't think Lewis would like that, he wants a scrap and to win to say he was best when they are both given equal chances...
I wonder how many German's actually consider him German? I certainly don't. IIRC he was born in Monaco, and Keke is from Finland, where German does come into it.Trevatanus said:
Toto going on record to say if Lewis and Nico cannot work together, one will have to go, but not before we try the naughty step.
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/wolff-driver-ten...
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/wolff-driver-ten...
Megaflow said:
Jasandjules said:
Lewis is worth a LOT of money to the team - sponsorship, publicity etc. Nico is not even that popular in Germany it seems, which is a bit of a shame. To me, this is almost like telling Nico to put up with No.2 Driver status, which is odd because I don't think Lewis would like that, he wants a scrap and to win to say he was best when they are both given equal chances...
I wonder how many German's actually consider him German? I certainly don't. IIRC he was born in Monaco, and Keke is from Finland, where German does come into it.I know I'm stating the obvious (everyone wants a shot in the Merc right now) but was there not a link between Alonso and Merc when he left Ferrari?
The reason finalising his deal with McL was so protracted was because he was talking to Merc.
If Toto / whoever decide Rosberg (they'll never drop Hamilton) needs out, surely there's a professionalism clause in their contracts...
Alonso is on a short term (IIRC) with McL.
If Ham wins the title next year, Ros is out. Alonso in. If Ros wins, Alonso moves to WEC... ?
As I'm sure any replies won't be shy in pointing out, all of this could be absolute super b
ks! Ha.
The reason finalising his deal with McL was so protracted was because he was talking to Merc.
If Toto / whoever decide Rosberg (they'll never drop Hamilton) needs out, surely there's a professionalism clause in their contracts...
Alonso is on a short term (IIRC) with McL.
If Ham wins the title next year, Ros is out. Alonso in. If Ros wins, Alonso moves to WEC... ?
As I'm sure any replies won't be shy in pointing out, all of this could be absolute super b
ks! Ha.HewManHeMan said:
I know I'm stating the obvious (everyone wants a shot in the Merc right now) but was there not a link between Alonso and Merc when he left Ferrari?
The reason finalising his deal with McL was so protracted was because he was talking to Merc.
If Toto / whoever decide Rosberg (they'll never drop Hamilton) needs out, surely there's a professionalism clause in their contracts...
Alonso is on a short term (IIRC) with McL.
If Ham wins the title next year, Ros is out. Alonso in. If Ros wins, Alonso moves to WEC... ?
As I'm sure any replies won't be shy in pointing out, all of this could be absolute super bks! Ha.
Why bother with Alonso, Hamilton is their superstar they don't need another - and clearly don't like the fireworks between NR & LH. The reason finalising his deal with McL was so protracted was because he was talking to Merc.
If Toto / whoever decide Rosberg (they'll never drop Hamilton) needs out, surely there's a professionalism clause in their contracts...
Alonso is on a short term (IIRC) with McL.
If Ham wins the title next year, Ros is out. Alonso in. If Ros wins, Alonso moves to WEC... ?
As I'm sure any replies won't be shy in pointing out, all of this could be absolute super b
ks! Ha.Wherlein possibly, Vandoorne much likelier - IF he gets a Manor seat in 2016 then I'd have £20 on him being LH teammate in 2017.
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