Interesting 2018 silly season talk. However I think the real outcome depending on how well Bottas performs would be Vettel taking a Merc seat with Bottas as teammate and Hamilton out. Vettel probably will only give Ferrari one more season to sort things out. Bottas will likely only sign with Merc if he has at least a two year deal. This would give Merc the driver peace and stability that they have been lacking. There are also rumours that Hamilton is interested in an acting career. So it all fits!
ps. Merc on top of the half price engines is also throwing in 8 motorhomes.
http://readmotorsport.com/2016/12/15/is ... el-switch/IS BOTTAS MERCEDES’ STOPGAP AHEAD OF VETTEL SWITCH?
BEN ISSATT
1 day ago • 709 reads • 5 min read • 0 comments
Could Mercedes be using Valtteri Bottas as a stopgap before signing Sebastian Vettel in 2018?
That is a possible conclusion that could be drawn from several recent reports and rumours.
Mercedes revealed on Thursday that no announcement will be made on who will replace Nico Rosberg before January as Bottas remains the German manufacturer’s preferred choice.
However, Read Motorsport understands that Mercedes will only offer the Finn a one-year contract with eyes on potentially signing Vettel from Ferrari for the following year.
That would depend on several factors. First, the German is out of contract with the Italian team at the end of 2017 and quotes from team boss Maurizio Arrivabene in October suggested that, while an extension is on the table, Vettel had to “earn” it.
But, the four-time world champion is also likely to consider his future with Ferrari if the Maranello outfit once again comes up short in delivering a competitive car next season.
Even former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger, who is in the loop regarding driver talks, suggested Vettel would want a Mercedes switch.
“Sebastian will closely monitor their progress and take his time in renewing his contract,” he reportedly told Germany’s Sport Bild.
“I’m sure deep down he wants the chance to go with Mercedes in 2018 so Ferrari needs to try to keep Vettel happy, so they don’t lose him.”
Despite Mercedes offering up to 50% discount on engines, the services of reserve Pascal Wehrlein and potentially a deal which would see tech boss Paddy Lowe join Williams, the disruption it would cause the Grove team means they are stubbornly trying to retain Bottas.
That’s not to say they are making a contingency plan, however. ESPN quoted a report in French newspaper L’Equipe on Thursday as claiming Felipe Massa is in “advanced talks” to put his retirement on hold and return for one final year.
If true, it may back up a theory that Bottas will move to Mercedes for 2017 with the option of re-signing with Williams for 2018 if Vettel was to move from Ferrari.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images SportMark Thompson/Getty Images Sport
In first public comments since it was revealed Bottas was under consideration by Mercedes, Williams boss Claire Williams has also indicated there was some room for manoeuvre.
“We have always known Valtteri is one of the sport’s key talents and are proud that the championship leaders recognise this,” she told the BBC.
“If we did allow Valtteri to leave, we would only do this if an experienced, credible alternative was available, such as someone like Felipe Massa, for example.
“Whatever we decide, it must be in the best interests of this team,” she concluded.
There’s no doubt Rosberg’s sudden retirement caught Mercedes off guard, but as the days tick by, a clearer picture is emerging.
The main question left is just how hard Williams want to push Mercedes in agreeing on a deal for Bottas? But if a Massa return is on the cards, which would be the perfect alternative for the team, then Mercedes’ delayed announcement could simply be more about delaying the inevitable.
As for whether it is just a stopgap before a move for Vettel? Well, that depends on Ferrari but could also depend on just how good Valtteri Bottas really is.
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