StoogeMoe

Wow, I didn't see that coming. I had Wehrlein taking Lewis' spot. I think it would be great for Wehrlein. He got screwed out of the ride to Force India. Or maybe he knew this was coming so didn't make too much of a fuss.

Wehrlein is extremely talented. He won the DTM championship, which is fierce and highly competitive. He scored improbable points this year in F1 and almost always bested his teammate and even beat the Saubers on numerous occasions.

The next season is going to be great. Lots of youngsters going at it to become the next generation of champions. We got Stoffel Van Dorne, Lance Stroll, Max Verstappen, and now hopefully Wehrlein. And who says F1 is boring?

StoogeMoe

No wonder why Nico didn't want to talk about next year when they were interviewing him about the championship. That was even just two days ago. He only wanted to talk about "the now".

I guess he's afraid he can't repeat the feat and wants to go out on a high. I thought winning the championship might have transformed him and he would have really gone after Lewis next year. Oh well, now we'll never know.

John H

I think the decision fits his personality. Just got married and had a kid... Seems the safe thing to do.

teamking

I agree that it fits Nico's personality. He drove with laser focus, but now he has a family and wants to focus on that. I respect that decision.

As for the seat and who will fill it. I'm sure Mercedes would love to get Vettel or either of the Red Bull drivers, but it comes down to contracts. I don't see Ferrari or Red Bull selling their contracts to Mercedes. Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, is sitting at a team he's not happy with, on a contract with only a year left, where there is chaos at the ownership level, and that likely reflects a financial picture that is not rosy. So perhaps they might be willing to part with his services, for the right price, with Jenson Button waiting in the wings.

Kobalt

+1

zmon

he also has the most development miles on the 2017 tyres of any F1 Driver

Nizer

One and done. He has other priorities. Respect.
.

shapiroeric

31 years old and at the top of his game....he'll be driving something somewhere sometime soon....

bronson7

Wow, just amazing. Still can't believe it. Now this certainly opens the doors for driver movement.

Four Liter

It would probably be hard to find someone who would want to drive a Mercedes though

Four Liter

Imagine Max in a Mercedes !

signes

Hulkenberg must be kicking himself. Alonso is already on a plane to see Toto and team.

Seriously I would expect to see Wehrlein short of them grabbing Button or Massa as a quick fix to have an experienced driver.

Lewis must love this

Astroman

I respect it.
He reached the ultimate pinnacle of motorsports.
He is highly succe$$ful.
He doesn't really get along with his teammate.
He has a new family and small child.
He can still get any seat he wants in most any other series.
He would probably retire in the next 2-3 years anyway.
Why not go out on top?

bronson7

Oh yaaah, Lewis is celebrating, but I still say Lewis was the better more aggressive driver.

My993C2

I'd like to see Alonso move over to the Mercs. But somehow I don't think it will happen.