ScottB wrote:
If Massa being potentially for the chop isn't shocking people, why would the concept of replacing Bottas be something terrible? He's hardly dominated Felipe in a way you'd expect if he was a future champion. He's a quality driver, sure, but he doesn't seem to be showing he's going to get dramatically better than he is now.
Replacing their current lineup with an ex champion the sponsors might love, and a potentially quick youngster who would likely bring significant backing seems like a pretty sensible move to me, not to say that Bottas deserves the axe by any means, but I don't think his performances make him irreplaceable.
As for Perez, I suspect it's more down to him apparently suddenly becoming available, than Renault or anybody else not being aware of him. Why that's happened I don't know... Could Vjay's financial issues be finally hampering the team and the resources they can put into their 2017 car? Though I suppose, longer term, Williams or Renault may be slightly more likely to produce a front running car, but I don't really follow the logic, unless Sergio thinks FI are going to fall back next year.
I'd kick out Bottas 10 times over Massa to be honest. He got all the opportunity but imho is just meh, and im noticing a slum, when he should actually be looking for all he got to get the team in a spot where the driver makes the difference.
Massa isnt making an impression either, and imho is really on the back end of his career, so Bottas not obliterating him imho shows he's just not fit.
I think Massa's Williams 'era' is ending due to 2 things; 1) not performing like they probably hoped (even if it would be unrealistic) and 2) his experience and development qualities probably hit the point where it doesnt add anymore. thus, job done.
I dont know if Williams is as 'Bold', but 2017 is a 'fresh start' so who knows.
I think Button in Williams in 2017 is a big possibility. It almost seems like a done deal that VanDoorne will be having a Mclaren seat in 2017, though frankly, i dont see that as a positive development except for being 'cheaper'. Button brings a vast amount of experience and cunning, and as the German GP showed, still has what it takes.
As for Williams themselves, there are plenty options, really.
Massa, Bottas, Button, Perez, Nasr, Magnussen, Wehrlein, Palmer just to name a few.
If Kvyat didnt ef up recently he might have had a chance.
Button and Perez is interesting, as they both were partners in Mclaren.
Button definately will fit the team with the Martini branding and Playboy image. I would have liked to see
Button get a decent Mclaren to his hands but i dont think he'll get that chance anymore. If he gets ditched,
i just hope Williams will have a good performing vehicle next year. He's got a vast amount of experience so
he'll benefit Williams and as said before, i think atleast at this point in their careers, he's a better asset than
Massa.
As for Perez, Perez is on a high and doing great. Hes got big sponsor backing and from Carlos Slim even more.
The question for Sergio imho is rather not whether Williams would do good hiring him, but whether career-wise
Williams is a good move for Perez.
Perez is well seated in Force India now and the team loves him and he loves the team. The combo works and they
are Mercedes-powered and doing well. So is Williams a step up , a step down, or rather not a change at all? If the last
2, then why move? Especially concidering the long - term.
He's changed Ferrari for Mercedes-power, but that's not said he cant return to Ferrari and this time in the actual
Scuderia. 2017 is not open , but 2018 might be a different story. If Sergio would move to Williams in 2017, you can
rather kiss the possibility of stepping to Ferrari in 2018 reasonably goodbye.
Him staying at Force India would keep possibility to Ferrari bigger, and me personally, i say Ferrari is a step up and
williams either similar or perhaps a step down.
I wont discuss Renault potential too much though, imho that is a big step down at this point and the near future.
If Williams decides to completely overhaul their driver line up for 2017, i would imagine it being a Experienced
driver paired to a younger gun with potential, which leads to
1) Button
2) Perez (talent and money), Nasr (money and possible talent).
A move from Perez to Williams also would open up the possibility for Wehrlein heading to Force India,
and him ultimately going to Mercedes in 2019 when Rosberg is out and Hamilton to Ferrari.
Though i can also see Force India taking on Honda power in 2018, so we'll see about that.
It seems though that Williams and Perez are at this point the key figures of the silly seasons' development.
The fact that Button mentioned Mclaren talks wont begin until September says to me we wont have any
big answers until atleast the end of september.
So i'd say begin or mid october, we'll have clear answers as to:
The 2nd seat at Mclaren,
Button's F1 career post 2016,
Perez' 2017 seat,
Massa's retirement.
