Rosbergs replacement

[truefan72]

well, he just un-retired.
the person that seems hard done by is Wherlein.

So Bottas to mercedes, wherlein probably to sauber and i bet nasr to manor.
It is an odd number year so sauber should be good in 2017 lol

[The Black Knight]

well, he just un-retired.
the person that seems hard done by is Wherlein.

So Bottas to mercedes, wherlein probably to sauber and i bet nasr to manor.
It is an odd number year so sauber should be good in 2017 lol

Looks like that alright. I don't think Wherlein is hard done by. Given his results and attitude overall I think he should count himself lucky if he even gets to stay in F1 next season.

[Zico]

I wouldn't have brought Massa back.

I hope Williams have asked for full Merc works spec engines and ancillaries hardware/software and at reduced price as part of the deal.

[Nitrodaze]

I wouldn't have brought Massa back.

I hope Williams have asked for full Merc works spec engines and ancillaries hardware/software and at reduced price as part of the deal.

Massa was a lesser risk than any other option available at this time. It really makes good sense to go with what you know can deliver regular points. Besides, Massa as lead driver would be experiencing something he has never experienced before throughout his F1 career; being the number one driver. It is a huge responsibility which l think would inspire him to perform at his very best.

[gm99]

I think it's the wrong signal to bring Massa back. He had a dismal season in 2016 and I don't see how Wehrlein would have done worse (i.e. scoring almost 40 percent less points than his team-mate) in the Williams.
As for Massa never having been a number one driver before: Well, he probably wasn't brought into Williams as a number two to sophomore Bottas in 2014, was he?

[BigWorm]

I think it's the wrong signal to bring Massa back. He had a dismal season in 2016 and I don't see how Wehrlein would have done worse (i.e. scoring almost 40 percent less points than his team-mate) in the Williams.
As for Massa never having been a number one driver before: Well, he probably wasn't brought into Williams as a number two to sophomore Bottas in 2014, was he?

I think it would be the right decision. Stroll is 18, he might be fast but he doesn't necessarily need to be another Verstappen.

To combine him with Wehrlein it would be a risky move for Williams. For a team like Williams who wants to be beating the rest of the midfield you need to be scoring points regularly, with two very young drivers in a demanding sport like this it will be hard. You need a driver with experience like Massa for that, 2016 might have been dismal from him but the Williams car wasn't that great anyway. Obviously Bottas would have been the optimal choice but him probably going to Mercedes (who blames him?) Williams is going to need a constant points scorer like Massa.

Stroll and Wehrlein might show more pace, but rookies will make mistakes. In the long run will Massa will probably score more points, he knows how to keep it together during a whole weekend, and that's what matters.

[Koz]

Besides, Massa as lead driver would be experiencing something he has never experienced before throughout his F1 career; being the number one driver.

You mean besides 2008, 2009, and the past 3 years at Williams?

[Bagwan]

If they have convinced Felipe baby to come back , it should satisfy what they needed to fulfill the Stroll contract .
That is , an experienced team-mate .

On the surface , it's obvious that a safe pair of hands , who can develop the car when it's a new formula , and that will be essential .
But , I don't believe that's the only reason they want him .

And , it's not just because he's such a nice guy , or so well integrated into the team already either .

It's the fact that they've put too much into getting the young Canadian in and they don't want him matched against another rookie like Pascal .
If he does well against Massa , he'll have made a mark , and if he doesn't , he''ll be deemed to not have been expected to do any better against such a veteran .

But , beaten by another young gun could drop his value like a stone , especially in a "post-Max" world .

It seems like the future plans for Lance have been as detailed as his preparations to get to the big show .
Not going head to head with another rookie should lower the pressure on a high pressure , "you only got your seat because of your daddy's money" entrance to F1 .


I sure hope he can deliver , as he's a fellow Canadian , and it'd be nice to support a home boy again .

[N. Jones]

I wouldn't have brought Massa back.

I hope Williams have asked for full Merc works spec engines and ancillaries hardware/software and at reduced price as part of the deal.

You have to bring Phil back. WIlliams is near the sharp end of the grid and going into the season with two rookies/light experienced drivers is not going to help them bring in sponsors.

[Zico]

You have to bring Phil back. WIlliams is near the sharp end of the grid and going into the season with two rookies/light experienced drivers is not going to help them bring in sponsors.

I guess you're right.

I was a bit concerned that Phillipe's heart might not be fully in it, somewhat going through the motions again... which for me he already seemed to be doing after his accident. Maybe it's a bit harsh to say it but in recent years, I always felt that any fire he ever had was long gone.

The bigger picture is a substantial Merc bargaining opportunity worth millions on top of whatever sponsor agreements are in place as well as ensuring young Lance has a long established and very experienced Williams team mate to aid with his intro to F1.

Will Phillipe return ? He has had a long career in F1, I'm not sure I would have once I'd made the decision to bow out... unless of course he was always minded to continue and was just being pushed out by Stroll.