4
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.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
180,760 comments on Alpine F1
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
565,900 comments on Mercedes 54 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
G. Zhou
Replies (4)
Login to replymclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
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.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
The longer they delay it the worse it'll be for everyone.
Black Book
Posts: 1,659
I think the longer the delay, the more serious they are with buying a top driver from another team: Alonso or Vettel.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
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.