Official 2016 Formula 1 Thread!!

[KingstonU]

There are basically 4 categories of drivers as I see it:

-Proven greats who could provide an INCREDIBLY exciting match for Hamilton: Alonso - Ricciardo - Vettel - ?Verstappen?

-Great drivers who have been in the sport for a while but were to date overlooked for a chance at a top team / car: Bottas - Perez - Hulkenberg - Sainz - Grojean - ?Magnussen?

-Brand new drivers with promise: Wehrlein - Vandoorne - Ocon - Palmer - ?Nasr?

-Not a chance: Gutierrez (no talent pay driver) - Kimi (he's clearly going to retire) - Ericsson (pay driver) - Kyviat (he blew his chance / got screwed over)

Best chance? Wehrlein, Sainz or Alonso though I wish that Hulkenberg and Bottas had a shot as they deserve it.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Pretty much everybody in the sport worth having already has a contract, not that they can't be broken/bought out. New driver?

 

[foghorn67]

Realistically it's down to Riccardio or Verstappen.
Wildcard: Grosjean Vandoorne, Palmer, Wherlein.
Nope: Gutierrez, Nasr.

 

[JulesMaximus]

*Jaw Drop* OMG Rosberg! NO-ONE saw his retirement announcement coming!
After thinking about it though I totally get where he is coming from. Luck did play a big part him winning this championship, and he is definitely one of the Top 10 and perhaps even ~Top 6 drivers on the grid now, but he is not Top 3. And he is 31 and his chances of getting a 2nd championship before he gets too old will again come down to a good amount of luck.
And giving it everything to take on a championship takes a lot out of him and his family. Go out after having achieved the ultimate goal as opposed to fizzling out like Button and many other drivers did? I think I actually approve of his decision.

NOW ---- WHO is going to replace him?!?!? The entire paddock is going to be fighting for that seat! They will even be willing to drive for free to get the chance

Yeah, I was stunned when I found out. He's driving for the dominant team in F1 at the moment and he is at the top of his game both professionally and physically. It makes no sense to me. He could win more world championships or, at the very least, bank some more money before retirement.

 

[thedarkwolf]

https://www.skybet.com/formula-1/special-bets/event/20085542

The odds for who will replace Nico

 

[satyajitmenon]

As a fan, who do I want to see in Rosbergs old seat? (in decreasing order of preference) Alonso, Verstappen, Grosjean, Button (never say never).
As a realist, who do I think will end up in Rosbergs old seat? Hulkenberg, Bottas, Sainz

 

[_Rick_]

I think it's between Bottas and Wehrlein, and the key dynamic is: Who will drive the Williams, if Bottas doesn't? You could put Wehrlein in the Williams, and maybe a fresh (or old) face into the Marussia.

 

[_Rick_]

So, it's being reported that Massa unretired just as quickly as Rosberg retired. Bottas to Merc is then pretty much set. Not the most exciting driver pairing, almost feels like Bottas is the new Massa to Hamilton's Alonso.

 

[JulesMaximus]

So, it's being reported that Massa unretired just as quickly as Rosberg retired. Bottas to Merc is then pretty much set. Not the most exciting driver pairing, almost feels like Bottas is the new Massa to Hamilton's Alonso.

Should be good for Team Lewis (ie Mercedes).

 

[KingstonU]

Bottas and Hulkenburg are two drivers that have been shafted for too long, so I am happy to see one of them getting a chance. This whole Rosberg retiring, one of those two getting a chance, Maldonado leaving and hopefully Gutierrez leaving as well is really starting to feel like everything is becoming right in the world in F1. One downside was Manor just losing out on that prize money in the end by 1 point. Pascal going to Williams would correct that.