So, that leaves the second Mercedes

Jordan192 · Post by **Jordan192** » 18 Nov 2009, 13:27

Place ya bets! Place ya bets!

Top contender is probably Heidfeld now - and I'll be fair and say it's not just because of his passport. If you want an experienced driver to guide development of a younger hotshoe and sort your car out, there are two guys on the grid that stand out - and the other one's just been released and signed for Williams.

The Schumacher stories have a certain feelgod factor to them, but do just seem like fantasy - also, they're not quite crazy enough. I'm gonna go a step beyond and call it for Kubica. At the very least, I confidently and baselessly predict they won't make a decision until Renault go public with their future plans.

I bet Vettel's really glad he's under contract to Red Bull right now.

Warren Hughes · Post by **Warren Hughes** » 18 Nov 2009, 13:38

Does Kovalainen have a chance? Seems to me that the only top-line drivers who are available are Kovy, Heidfeld and Trulli. I agree that Heidfeld is probably the best choice, but they could do a lot worse than Heikki as a clear no. 2 to Rosberg IMO

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 18 Nov 2009, 13:54

Whoa, hang on. Has Brawn signed Rosberg up yet? This is being one hell of a silly season; Kobayashi and Raikkonen for Brawn, anyone?

Enrique Bernoldi · Post by **Enrique Bernoldi** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:01

CarlosFerreira wrote:Whoa, hang on. Has Brawn signed Rosberg up yet? This is being one hell of a silly season; Kobayashi and Raikkonen for Brawn, anyone?

From the BBC:

Now renamed Mercedes Grand Prix, the team have already signed the German Nico Rosberg as one of their drivers.

His fellow German Nick Heidfeld is the favourite for the second seat.

As for Kimi:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 365967.stm

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:08

Enrique Bernoldi wrote:
CarlosFerreira wrote:Whoa, hang on. Has Brawn signed Rosberg up yet? This is being one hell of a silly season; Kobayashi and Raikkonen for Brawn, anyone?

From the BBC:

Now renamed Mercedes Grand Prix, the team have already signed the German Nico Rosberg as one of their drivers.

His fellow German Nick Heidfeld is the favourite for the second seat.

As for Kimi:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 365967.stm

Ah, OK. I had missed the news that Rosberg had been signed up in the middle of the mess.

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:25

Seeing Kimi leave the sport is not a nice sight. I'm sure he'd fit well into the Brawn/Mercedes.

Force 1ndia fans surely will rejoice at the thought of Raikkonen taking a sabbatical.

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:31

Wait....I have a cunning plan. Put some/all of the drivers & some/all of the teams into a hat & draw lots. Or run an American style draft system. Whatever offers are on the table as of now stand for whoever is signed by a team. D or no D. You could get Noel Edmunds to run it. All done in 30 mins. It's about as logical as trying to turn the grid upside down every other race. :idea:

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:39

Shame about Kimi...He was a charismatic character :cry:

howardmb · Post by **howardmb** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:39

I'll vote for Kobayashi.

A little on the wild side perhaps but he can be had for a song and it will prove Mercedes was serious when they said they wanted an "International" team. He could be signed for a year-on-year deal to give the team options for replacing him down the road.

Chewie · Post by **Chewie** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:40

So, 'Brawn' Mercedes have let two race winning drivers, (including the World Champ), leave the team and now have the prospect of Rosberg and Heidfeld to take on the line ups at the 3 other main challengers. Vettel & Webber, Button & Hamilton, Alonso & Massa..... all race winners and 3 champions! Have Mercedes made an awful cock up here?

The Silver Arrows driver line up looks a bit lightweight compared to that lot!

Jordan192 · Post by **Jordan192** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:48

Yannick wrote:Seeing Kimi leave the sport is not a nice sight.

For fear of sounding overly melodramatic, I've already done my grieving on his account. The aspects of Kimi that were worth getting excited about arguably left the sport 18 months ago.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:52

Chewie wrote:
The Silver Arrows driver line up looks a bit lightweight compared to that lot!

I believe they will do a decent job if the car's up to the task.

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 18 Nov 2009, 15:12

Is Sutil actually under contract for next year. I thought I heard him mentioned in connection with the Brawn/Merc drive?
German, already Merc powered...a bit of contract juggling?

Enrique Bernoldi · Post by **Enrique Bernoldi** » 18 Nov 2009, 15:18

de crasharis wrote:Is Sutil actually under contract for next year. I thought I heard him mentioned in connection with the Brawn/Merc drive?
German, already Merc powered...a bit of contract juggling?

I believe Sutil is contracted to Force India already. Nevertheless, I don't think Sutil is the kind of driver that mercedes are looking for. Sure he's quick, but in races he's proven to be a bit of a crash magnet and it would seem more sensible if they chose someone like Heidfeld who is guarenteed to bring the car home in one piece whilst not compromising his speed.

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 18 Nov 2009, 15:30

Enrique Bernoldi wrote:
de crasharis wrote:Is Sutil actually under contract for next year. I thought I heard him mentioned in connection with the Brawn/Merc drive?
German, already Merc powered...a bit of contract juggling?

I believe Sutil is contracted to Force India already. Nevertheless, I don't think Sutil is the kind of driver that mercedes are looking for. Sure he's quick, but in races he's proven to be a bit of a crash magnet and it would seem more sensible if they chose someone like Heidfeld who is guarenteed to bring the car home in one piece whilst not compromising his speed.

It's a fair point but I'm hoping to see a more mature Sutil next year. Heidfeld will definitely gain points finishes/podia....the car is going to be reliable.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 18 Nov 2009, 17:18

Mercedes' other driver?
Michael Schumacher

:lol:

If I'm right, can I get a beer for this?

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 18 Nov 2009, 17:29

kostas22 wrote:Mercedes' other driver?
Michael Schumacher

If I'm right, can I get a beer for this?

It's been said before, so no. And am I wrong in thinking that you're like 17?

Underage drinking is wrong. Ask this guy.

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 18 Nov 2009, 17:31

kostas22 wrote:Mercedes' other driver?
Michael Schumacher

If I'm right, can I get a beer for this?

That is such an outrageous prediction, that has already been denied by a spokeswoman (though if denials are anything to go by this year, then that's probably more like a confirmation that it will indeed happen) that if it will actually happen, I'll buy you a whole crate of beer.

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 18 Nov 2009, 18:51

Where's de la Rosa in all this? He could do a decent job for someone, one of the new teams perhaps. Has expeience as development driver.

Many Blue Flags · Post by **Many Blue Flags** » 18 Nov 2009, 18:56

Warren Hughes wrote:Does Kovalainen have a chance? Seems to me that the only top-line drivers who are available are Kovy, Heidfeld and Trulli. I agree that Heidfeld is probably the best choice, but they could do a lot worse than Heikki as a clear no. 2 to Rosberg IMO

2005 GP2 Season, Kovalainen lost the championship to Rosberg. I doubt they'd be best buddies.

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 18 Nov 2009, 19:38

Chewie wrote:So, 'Brawn' Mercedes have let two race winning drivers, (including the World Champ), leave the team and now have the prospect of Rosberg and Heidfeld to take on the line ups at the 3 other main challengers. Vettel & Webber, Button & Hamilton, Alonso & Massa..... all race winners and 3 champions! Have Mercedes made an awful cock up here?

The Silver Arrows driver line up looks a bit lightweight compared to that lot!

Excellent point. The confidence that comes from having a Grand Prix victory under your belt is incalculable. Having a confidence that you could win a Grand Prix without having done so previously leaves room for that niggling doubt. Rosberg has already had some near misses (Singapore '08 and '09) and Heidfeld has 160+ GPs of disappointment to bring to the table. That's another reason why I'd rather someone else be given the seat over him. I think Nick is one of the most reliable drivers in the field, but I'd always rate more highly someone who can pull out that special something when required. Heidfeld has shown repeatedly that he cannot/will not do that. Whether it will happen or not is another question, but I like the suggestion of Sutil.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 18 Nov 2009, 19:41

How much do you guys reckon Ross is in charge of this? Will it be his way, or Mercedes decision?

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 18 Nov 2009, 19:44

CarlosFerreira wrote:How much do you guys reckon Ross is in charge of this? Will it be his way, or Mercedes decision?

That too is a very good question. I think Ross has been in charge of the Rosberg signing - that had been rumoured long ago anyway. I think Ross preferred Button to stay though.

noisebox · Post by **noisebox** » 18 Nov 2009, 19:49

eytl wrote:
CarlosFerreira wrote:How much do you guys reckon Ross is in charge of this? Will it be his way, or Mercedes decision?

That too is a very good question. I think Ross has been in charge of the Rosberg signing - that had been rumoured long ago anyway. I think Ross preferred Button to stay though.

Heidfeld looks like a Merecedes decision, but it's not like Brawn was trying very hard to close down Button since he won the title. I think Brawn did not enjoy the burden of owning the team, and he's probably delighted with this outcome - he can go back to concentrating on what he likes most - running the sporting side.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 18 Nov 2009, 19:50

eytl wrote:
CarlosFerreira wrote:How much do you guys reckon Ross is in charge of this? Will it be his way, or Mercedes decision?

That too is a very good question. I think Ross has been in charge of the Rosberg signing - that had been rumoured long ago anyway. I think Ross preferred Button to stay though.

At least publicly, Ross has been all for Button staying.

You know what's a big market for Mercedes? Asia. I hear Japan is quite big for them. Now...

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 18 Nov 2009, 20:50

CarlosFerreira wrote:
eytl wrote:
CarlosFerreira wrote:How much do you guys reckon Ross is in charge of this? Will it be his way, or Mercedes decision?

That too is a very good question. I think Ross has been in charge of the Rosberg signing - that had been rumoured long ago anyway. I think Ross preferred Button to stay though.

At least publicly, Ross has been all for Button staying.

You know what's a big market for Mercedes? Asia. I hear Japan is quite big for them. Now...

Too good to be true, sadly

After all, it's a Toyota guy...unless we're speaking of Mr. Sato, that is (does he still has Honda connections?) :lol:

shinji wrote:
kostas22 wrote:Mercedes' other driver?
Michael Schumacher

If I'm right, can I get a beer for this?

It's been said before, so no. And am I wrong in thinking that you're like 17?

Underage drinking is wrong. Ask this guy.

Heck, me and my friends drink sometimes (I also have 17) and nothing bad still happened to us. There's a word called "responsibility": http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/responsibility

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 18 Nov 2009, 20:55

Phoenix wrote:
shinji wrote:
kostas22 wrote:Mercedes' other driver?
Michael Schumacher

If I'm right, can I get a beer for this?

It's been said before, so no. And am I wrong in thinking that you're like 17?

Underage drinking is wrong. Ask this guy.

Heck, me and my friends drink sometimes (I also have 17) and nothing bad still happened to us. There's a word called "responsibility": http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/responsibility

ILLEGAL.

Unless it isn't in Spain, there's a whole different culture up here in the colds of North Western Europe, a more sinister one in which 14 year olds can slip in to alcoholism easily.

But that's the most off topic thing I've ever seen or written, so back to Mercedes. It' might be Heidfeld, but we'll know soon enough, so let's just say it will be the spawn of Kobayashi and HWNSNBM and leave it at that.

At least that's what I'm doing.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:08

Indeed, it is a bit off-topic, but I always like to make jokes and/or puns...

Back to the Mercedes topic, as you say, does Heidfeld has still connections with Mercedes?

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:11

Phoenix wrote:Indeed, it is a bit off-topic, but I always like to make jokes and/or puns...

Back to the Mercedes topic, as you say, does Heidfeld has still connections with Mercedes?

I think any connection was cut when he didn't get the McLaren seat for 2002.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:14

shinji wrote:
Phoenix wrote:Indeed, it is a bit off-topic, but I always like to make jokes and/or puns...

Back to the Mercedes topic, as you say, does Heidfeld has still connections with Mercedes?

I think any connection was cut when he didn't get the McLaren seat for 2002.

Then it would be better to look elsewhere for that second seat...maybe I'm wrong but...I'll go with a wild guess-Gary Paffett!

hclw · Post by **hclw** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:27

I really hope Schumacher gets the seat. He is one of the all time greats and would greatly enhance the sport. He's german and has the pedigree to match the historic return of the silver arrows Mercedes.

Yes, Ralf would be perfect for it

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:32

hclw wrote:I really hope Schumacher gets the seat. He is one of the all time greats and would greatly enhance the sport. He's german and has the pedigree to match the historic return of the silver arrows Mercedes.

Yes, Ralf would be perfect for it

Most lulzy post of the week.
Anyway, I predicted in my fantasy f1 thingie that Kobayashi would go to Brawn in 2014, so if this really goes through, I was the first to predict it!!

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:41

Yes, Paffett if I remember correctly it was pretty close between him & Lewis for Macca seat in 2007. Where's he disappeared to?

kaiserfranz · Post by **kaiserfranz** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:55

de crasharis wrote:Yes, Paffett if I remember correctly it was pretty close between him & Lewis for Macca seat in 2007. Where's he disappeared to?

To DTM where he just lost out on the title a couple of weeks ago.

kaiserfranz · Post by **kaiserfranz** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:58

eytl wrote:The confidence that comes from having a Grand Prix victory under your belt is incalculable.

Certainly helped Heikki, didn't it?
You do have a point though, speaking in general. Still, I want Heidfeld for the second seat because he is my favourite driver

.

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 18 Nov 2009, 21:59

kaiserfranz wrote:
de crasharis wrote:Yes, Paffett if I remember correctly it was pretty close between him & Lewis for Macca seat in 2007. Where's he disappeared to?

To DTM where he just lost out on the title a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks. I really must pay more attention!

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 18 Nov 2009, 22:09

3. Michael Schumacher
4. Kamui Kobayashi

please? :lol:

kaiserfranz · Post by **kaiserfranz** » 18 Nov 2009, 22:10

de crasharis wrote:Thanks. I really must pay more attention!

No need, if I wasn't German I'd have no idea either. DTM is incredibly boring most of the time.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 18 Nov 2009, 22:32

So, we have the following list of drivers as potential candidates thus far:

Nick Heidfeld
Michael Schumacher
Gary Paffett
Paul di Resta
Robert Kubica
Kamui Kobayashi
Jacques Villeneuve
HWNSNBM

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 18 Nov 2009, 22:47

kostas22 wrote:So, we have the following list of drivers as potential candidates thus far:

Nick Heidfeld
Michael Schumacher
Gary Paffett
Paul di Resta
Robert Kubica
Jacques Villeneuve
HWNSNBM

Don't forget the lesser Schumacher.