Mercedes could delay driver decision until February

  • Published on 20 Dec 2016 10:35
  • comments 4
  • By: Dominik Wilde

Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda has warned that it could take until February to decide who will replace Nico Rosberg.

Following the German's shock retirement after he was crowned world champion last month, Mercedes said that they would make no decision until after the team returns from their Christmas break on January 3.

But now Lauda has hinted the wait could be even longer.

"It could take until the end of January before we know what path we are going to take," he said.

"We are not ready yet. There are quite complicated negotiations," he added.

Pascal Wehrlein and Valtteri Bottas are believed to be the front-runners to replace Rosberg, with Mercedes reportedly offering an engine discount to Mercedes in return for the Finnish driver.

Meanwhile, it has been said that Lewis Hamilton vetoed the idea of Wehrlein stepping in, fearing a repeat of the situation he faces in his rookie season at McLaren when he partnered double world champion Fernando Alonso.

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • Meh they want Bottas, it's so obvious but they don't want to pay Williams too much. Williams better play hard ball because they need the money and Merc need Bottas, no one else worthwhile is available. This Wehrlein hype, I mean what the actual F is on with that huh? One flash in the pan race and he is up for a top seat. Then again when the other merc car is occupied by butthurtboy I guess Wehrlein might turn out OK.

    • + 0
    • Dec 20 2016 - 11:14
  • The longer they delay it the worse it'll be for everyone.

    • + 0
    • Dec 20 2016 - 11:22
    • I think the longer the delay, the more serious they are with buying a top driver from another team: Alonso or Vettel.

      • + 0
      • Dec 20 2016 - 14:29
    • If they wont afford Bottas they certainly wont afford buying out Alonso or Vettel, so I think thats highly unlikely. No, they probably aim for Bottas first, and if they wont get him they can always go to Wehrlein or Ocon.

      • + 0
      • Dec 20 2016 - 19:07

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Spain
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar