He said he doesn't want to race in F1 anymore and wants to enjoy his own schedule and do things he wants to do whilst he still can like triathlons and rallycross.
The obvious person for the seat is Pascal Wehrlein but I wonder whether Vettel or Alonso will try and jump ship.
vettel or Alonso would have to try - buy themselves out of contract. - Wehrlein would be option for a 1 year deal if vettel or Alonso can't until they are free for 2018.
Button says that but he is under contract to McLaren still and if the chance arose who wouldn't at least apply!
Mercedes would buy them out of the contract if they wanted them, they have enough money for it. If Wehrlein got the seat it would most likely be for more than one year, unless he screws up badly, as the Mercedes bosses like him.
Jenson only has that option in case he wants to come back and McLaren would rather keep him in house to stop him being pinched by other teams. You could see it in Jenson from before the summer break that he wasn't enjoying it anymore and wanted the other things in life. He's in that place where he is happy with what he has achieved in F1 and wants to move on, just like Rosberg.
I'm pretty sure Alonso has a release clause in his contract, he has always done this. I am sure he will try to get in, I would if I was him. But I dont think Mercedes wants him. Maybe they want Vettel because he is german, but he sucks big time since he has stronger teammates. He loses against Kimi, look back at what Alonso did to him.
Maybe Mercedes takes the obvious choice and picks Wehrlein, for sure he is a good driver, but I dont think he is ready yet. He hasnt dominated Ocon or Haryanto, but he should have. What also speaks up against Wehrlein imho are the rule changes for 2017. Mercedes dont know where they are compared to RBR, Ferrari and maybe (hopefully) McLaren. So they will need a very good & consistant driver to secure the constructors championship again. Bottas?
I would love to see Alonso battle against Hamilton for his 3rd championship. I am really a huge fan of him, I really think he is one of the strongest drivers in F1 and I think he deserves a 3rd one. But also I am pretty sure 2017 is his last season. He is getting older and older.
Anyways, I understand Rosbergs decision but I am sad to see him say goodbye, I was really looking forward to this season, he beat Hamilton for the first time, it would have been great to see them battle even harder. And I was looking forward to Lewis' reaction, I bet he would have worked really hard to show them all how good he is.
Interesting times ahead, a free seat in the best team at that time of the year, thats something new!
I've not seen Carlos Sainz mentioned yet for the seat but surely he would be interested knowing that a move to Red Bull would be difficult without Ricciardo or Verstappen deciding to leave. He's proved he can out perform the car and has given Verstappen a run for his money.
What about Mick Schumacher? Does he have enough points with his three championships this season?
He only raced Formula 4 (ADAC & Italian) but placed second in both series losing out in final races of the season and then he also completed MRF Challenge Formula 2000; which he won.
Knowing his former connection to the Mercedes through his father could this be possible? He is 17 year old and comes with the skill set (and name).
I think only two things might stop this one would be the FIA point system and his links with Ferrari through Prema if any!!
I also agree Alonso & Sainz as front runners but I will also throw Ricciardo name forward since someone needs to move from Red Bull since they have three drivers and Ricciardo was rumored for the Ferrari move earlier in the season.
Oh I just read in austrian media, that there were happening things in the past between Alonso and Dieter Zetsche (CEO of Daimler), so this is unlikely.
I totally forgot Carlos Sainz, would be a good choice too!
I think Mick Schumacher has to prove his talent at a higher level, F3/GP2 something. Also I dont think he has enough FIA points.
Mick Schumacher only has 20 points and he needs 40. He also won't turn 18 until 2 days before FP1 in Australia so no chance he will get a Super Licence for 2017.
Yeah, I didn't think he had enough points based on the series he was racing in this season. I guess next season or year after then.
I have read that these are the top six drivers being consider at the moment from within F1:
1. Wehrlein - Free driver and easily slotted into the role.
2. Alonso - Does he have an out clause? Hard to see Honda will let him go.
3. Vettel - Again does he have an out clause? While Vettel might want to move for another F1 Championship; it would me he gave up of Ferrari already!?!
4. Bottas - Under contract with Williams but rumored to be bought at the right price from Williams.
5. Perez - Interesting rumor since his sponsors seem to control his contracts so can his current contract be broken with FI; that I am not so sure of!!
6. Ocon - Another FI driver but more likely to have his contract broken if needed but since Wehrlein is free I find this unlikely.
But would it be a stretch to see anyone of their other drivers from DTM maybe come across?
Paul Di Resta - Experienced in F1 and still only 30 years old could slot in nicely beside Hamilton short term.
Robert Wickens - No really experience with F1 per say but was once consider an up and coming driver. Has strong stats better then some of his rivals but simple got over looked. At age 27 again offers either a short or mid term answer for Mercedes to find a long term replacement.
Seem like the only two that I could see come across so I am guessing it will be one of the above mentioned six drivers above. So I see it as Wehrlein has the upper hand with Bottas and Alonso being consider but more difficult to slot into the seat due to needing to buy out contracts plus they are short term solutions for a season or two at most.
