Happy Christmas for 2016

Basically the last post for 2016 as I am taking over a week off with my family and try to enjoy Christmas. All that means is a Happy Christmas/Holidays to you all and see you in 2017.



Bye.

Seven predictions from 2016, did I got any of them right?

During my first post of 2016. I did a post on seven racing predictions for 2016, and the post was really a fun post on seven predictions that may happen in 2016. But the main question is did I got any right? let see:

Number 1, McLaren to score at least 120 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
No, McLaren only managed just 76 points this season with Fernando Alonso taking best results of two fifth place finishes. I got this prediction Wrong.



Number 2, 14-0 wins for VW in the WRC this season.
No again, VW only managed nine rally wins out of thirteen rallies in the WRC this season, with both Citroen and Hyundai claiming two Rally wins each, with one cancelled. Meaning, I got this prediction Wrong too.



Number 3, Red Bull to win at least two Grand Prixs in 2016.
First prediction I got Right. Won in Spain with Max Verstappen, should have won in Monaco with Daniel Ricciardo. However, Daniel Ricciardo did win at Malaysia. Meaning Red Bull did win at least two Grand Prixs in 2016.



Number 4, Casey Stoner back in MotoGP as a Ducati wild card rider.
Not even close, rumoured as a wild card rider for Austria. And a possible replacement for the injured Andrea Iannone at Phillip Island. Tested the bike many times in 2016. But, never raced meaning I got this prediction totally Wrong as-well.



Number 5, Manor to score at least a point in Formula 1 this season.
Second prediction I got Right. A tenth place finish for Pascal Wehrlein at the Red Bull Ring gives Manor their only points of the season and eleventh place in the Constructors' standings.



Number 6, Ford to win LMGTE Pro Class at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Third prediction I got Right. I must admit is prediction was very ambitious from me back in early 2016. With Olivier Pla, Stefan Mücke and Billy Johnson finishing eighteenth overall and finished first in LMGTE Pro Class ahead of the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette and Aston Martin in Ford's return to Le Mans.



Number 7, Haas to finish ninth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
Fourth prediction I got Right. A sixth place finish for the teams debut Grand Prix with Romain Grosjean in Melbourne, then a fifth place finish for Grosjean in Bahrain, 29 points in the teams debut season includes an eighth place in the constructor's standings. Meaning this prediction was very overachieving one too.



So basically I got four out of seven predictions right. More fun predictions in 2017.

2017 Citroën C3 WRC

With Citroën taking a year off in WRC in 2016, while PH Sport team took a few wins with a semi-works Citroën DS3 WRC. Citroën are fully back for 2017 in the WRC doing all the rounds next season. Citroën unveiled their new WRC car in Abu Dhabi yesterday (21/12/2016)called Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.



Citroën C3 WRC is based on the Citroën C3, the Citroën C3 WRC powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine producing around 380 bhp.



The Citroën C3 WRC will debut at the 2016 Monte Carlo Rally where it will be driven by Kris Meeke, Craig Breen and Stéphane Lefebvre. While, Khalid Al Qassimi will drive the Citroën C3 WRC in selective rallies through 2017.

Top Ten Audi Race/Rally Cars

With Audi withdrawing from the World Endurance Championship next season, meaning Audi won't being competing at Le Mans for the first time since 1998. This post is the Top Ten Audi Race/Rally Cars from Audi's history.



This list is anything goes that does includes any Rally cars, LMP1s, Touring cars and GT cars. So basically 100% Audis, starting with Number Ten:

Number 10: 1988 Audi 200 Quattro Trans AM
Story: The Audi 200 Quattro Trans AM was powered by the Audi 2.1 litre in-line 5-cylinder turbocharged engine underneath. Overall, the Audi 200 Quattro Trans AM was a dominating race car in its era, winning eight wins in the Trans-Am series, four wins for Hans-Joachim Stuck, two wins for Walter Röhrl, and two wins for Hurley Haywood. Concluding with Hurley Haywood winning that years Trans-Am series drivers' championship while Audi wins the teams' championship giving Audi their first taste winning in America



Number 9: 2012- Audi RS5 DTM
Story: The Audi RS5 DTM was designed for DTM rules. Audi RS5 DTM was powered by the Audi 4 litre V8 engine underneath. So far the Audi RS5 DTM has won one DTM title for Mike Rockenfeller in 2013. Two Constructor Championships for Audi in 2014 and 2016 so far in its short DTM Career.





Number 8: 2009-2015 Audi R8 LMS ultra
Story: The Audi R8 LMS ultra was designed for GT3 rules.



The Audi R8 LMS ultra was powered by the Audi 5.2 litre V10 engine underneath. Overall, the Audi R8 LMS ultra was a dominating race car in its era, with many championship wins from the mid-engine rear-wheel drive machine.

• Which includes Four Spa 24 Hours wins between in 2011, 2012, and 2014.
• And two 24 Hours Nürburgring win in 2012 and 2014.

Number 7: 1993-2000 Audi A4 quattro
Story: The Audi A4 quattro was designed for Super Touring rules.



Audi A4 quattro was powered by the Audi four cylinder 2 litre engine underneath. Overall, the Audi A4 quattro was a dominating race car in the Super Touring era, with many championship wins from the four-wheel drive machine.

• Which includes wins in the Super Tourenwagen Cup, with two championships for Emanuele Pirro in 1996, and then for Christian Abt in 1999.
• One British Touring Car Championships for Frank Biela in 1996.
• Two Italian Superturismo Championships for Emanuele Pirro in 1995, and then for Rinaldo Capello in 1996.
• Two Australian Super Touring Championships for Brad Jones in 1996 and then in 1998.

Number 6: 1990-1992 Audi V8 Quattro
Story: Designed for Group A rules. Audi V8 Quattro was powered by the Audi 3.6 litre V8 engine underneath. Overall the Audi V8 Quattro won two DTM championships for Hans-Joachim Stuck in 1990, and then for Frank Biela in 1991.



Number 5: 2004-2011 Audi A4 DTM
Story: The Audi A4 DTM was designed for DTM rules. Audi A4 DTM was powered by the Audi 4 litre V8 engine underneath. The Audi A4 DTM has won five DTM title for Mattias Ekström in 2004 and 2007, Timo Scheider in 2008 and 2009, and Martin Tomczyk in 2011. Three Constructor Championships for Audi in 2004, 2007 and 2011 in its DTM Career.



Number 4: 2006-08 Audi R10 TDI
Story: This was the first of the Diesel powered cars that have won at Le Mans. Audi R10 TDI uses an Audi 5.5 litre V12 TDI DPF twin-turbo diesel engine that produces 650 bhp. Audi R10 TDI won three 24 hours of Le Mans victories in a row. Both 2006 and 2007 with Frank Biela, Marco Werner and Emanuele Pirro as drivers. Then in 2008, this time with Allan McNish, Dinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen as drivers to give one of the most successful Diesel cars at Le Mans.



Number 3: 2011-2016 Audi R18 e-tron Quattro
Story: This was the first of the diesel and electric powered cars that have won at Le Mans. Audi R18 e-tron Quattro uses an Audi 3.7 litre V6 turbo-diesel hybrid engine till 2013, then after a 4.0 litre V6 turbo-diesel hybrid engine underneath. Audi R18 e-tron Quattro won four 24 hours of Le Mans victories in a row. Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluye took 2011 Le Mans win. Once again Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluye took 2012 Le Mans win with an Audi one-two-three finish. Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Loïc Duval took 2013 Le Mans win. Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluye took 2014 Le Mans win. While the Audi R18 e-tron Quattro took eighteen wins in the World Endurance Championship and two Constructors' Championships in the World Endurance Championship in 2012 and 2013. Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluye took the 2012 Drivers' World Championship in the World Endurance Championship. While, Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Loïc Duval took the 2013 Drivers' World Championship in the World Endurance Championship.



Number 2: 2000-05 Audi R8
Story: The race car that took Audi to it's first Five 24 hours of Le Mans wins. The Audi R8 uses the Audi 3.6 litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that produces 610 bhp. Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro took 2000 win with an Audi one-two-three finish. Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro once again for an Audi one-two finish in 2001. And one more time in 2002 with Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro as the winners to give Audi another one-two-three finish. Forth win came in 2004, and this time Seiji Ara, Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen as winners for another Audi one-two-three finish. And finally in 2005 with Tom Kristensen, JJ Lehto and Marco Werner as the winners to finish the domination of the Audi R8 at Le Mans.



Number 1: 1980-86 Audi Quattro
Story: The Audi Quattro was designed for Group 4 rally rules and then adapted later for Group B rules. The Audi Quattro used a front-engine Audi 2.1 litre in-line 5-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 197 bhp in street form, Group 4 rally form produces 300 bhp in Group B rally form produces over 590 bhp. The Audi Quattro was the first rally car to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of four-wheel drive in competition rally. Overall the Audi Quattro took twenty-three WRC wins (ten WRC wins in Group 4 spec and thirteen WRC wins in Group B spec) between 1981 to 1986 in the hands of Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist, Michèle Mouton and Walter Röhrl. The Audi Quattro took Audi to two WRC Manufacture titles in 1982 and 1984. And two WRC Drivers' titles with Hannu Mikkola in 1983 and Stig Blomqvist in 1984.





Basically the Audi Quattro is the greatest Audi Race/Rally Car ever!

Ferrari signs Antonio Giovinazzi as test and reserve driver

It was announce yesterday afternoon (19/12/16) this seasons GP2 Series runner up Antonio Giovinazzi will be Ferrari's test and reserve driver during the 2017 season.





Giovinazzi won five races during his rookie season in the GP2 Series during 2016 with Prema Racing.

Part 2 of Formula 1 2016 Season Review (Top Formula 1 drivers of 2016 and final thoughts of Formula 1 2016)

Second part of my Formula 1 2016 Season Review, this post will includes my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2016. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2016.



Starting of with My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2016, this is the part who was in my top 10 this season, not in championship order, not in championship order, so his list doesn't includes the likes of Nico Hülkenberg, Daniil Kvyat, Felipe Massa or Valtteri Bottas to name a few, its just only opinion folks.

Anyway, here is my list below.

My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2016:

10. Romain Grosjean (Haas) - Sixth place in the teams debut race in Melbourne, then a fifth place finish in Bahrain.

9. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - On his day faster driver than his team-mate Vettel, which includes two second place finishes in Bahrain and Barcalona.

8. Fernando Alonso (McLaren) - Some impressive drives at Sochi, Montreal, Hunganoring and Spa; includes two fifth place finishes at Monaco and Austin were he finished on the lead lap.

7. Sergio Pérez (Force India) - Consistently fast and reliable this season, which include two third place finishes at Monaco and Baku.

6. Carlos Sainz, Jr. (Toro Rosso) - Some impressive performances this season, which include a sixth place finishes at Barcelona, Austin and Sao Paulo.

5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) - Three second place finishes in Shanghai, Montreal and Baku; should have won Montreal.

4. Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso/Red Bull) - Some impressive drives in his second season and despite his still only 18!, which include a Grand Prix win at Barcelona, becoming the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix!

3. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) - Some impressive drives despite an underpowered car includes four second place finishes in Monaco, Hockinheim, Spa and Singapore; and a Grand Prix win in Sepang, despite he should have won at both Barcelona and Monaco, to conclude with no DNF's all season.

2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - A strong finish to the season with nine Grand Prix wins, just missed out on his fourth drivers' championship due to mid season errors, can regain title once again if his late season form continues into 2017.

1. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - Best driver on the grid this season, with nine Grand Prix wins this season to concluded with his first drivers' championship and last this season, going into early retirement with his own terms.

Overall, possibly one of the most dominating seasons in modern era Formula 1 with Mercedes taking nineteen out of twenty-one wins and eight one-two finishes, which makes the Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid the most dominant F1 race car in Formula 1 History to conclude winning their third F1 Constructors' Championship in a row. While both Mercedes drivers challenge for the Drivers' title, where both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg took massive leads in a game of cat and mouse.

Both drivers battling to the last race of the season to the final lap of the season to conclude with Nico Rosberg winning the 2016 World Drivers' Title and his only F1 Drivers' title in his Formula 1 career becoming the second son of a former champion to win a world title goes into retirement leaving Formula 1 in his own terms. Formula 1 2016 will be remembered for drama and lots of it from the first lap of the season to the last lap of the season.



Bring on Formula 1 2017.

Part 1 of Formula 1 2016 Season Review (the teams)

Two parter Formula One season review of the 2016 season. In this post I will review each team of 2016. Which, I will say one sentence that will be positive with each team. And one sentence that will be negative for each team. So starting with Mercedes below.

Mercedes:
+ As you were from 2014 and 2015, Best car and drivers on the grid with the F1 W07 Hybrid, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, with 20 poles, 19 race wins, a Constructors' Title and a Drivers' Title with Nico Rosberg.
- Bad races in Barcalona and Sepang; the shocking retirement of Nico Rosberg despite being World Champion, and no news who will replace him till January 2017 at the earliest.



Red Bull:
+ Impressive performance from Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen includes a famous race win for Verstappen in Barcelona and for Ricciardo in Sepang, also great improvements from the RB12 and the Renault power unit (under the Tag Heuer name) this season to finish second in the constructors' standings.
- Despite a more reliable and powerful power unit from Renault, the Renault power units are still around 50-60bhp less than the Mercedes power units; also the poor pit-stop in Monaco cost Ricciardo the race win in Monaco.



Ferrari
+ Some great race performances from both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen, which includes second place finishes for Räikkönen in Barcelona and Vettel in Montreal.
- SF16-H has not been fast enough then the Mercedes nor the Red Bull in race pace this season, also poor strategies has cost race wins for Sebastian Vettel in Melbourne and Montreal to conclude with no wins this season for Ferrari and finishing only third in the constructors' standings which is a step backwards for a team like Ferrari.



Force India:
+ Some impressive performances from Sergio Pérez this season which include two third place finishes at Monaco and Baku; also finishing fourth in the constructors' is a massive achievement for Force India.
- Losing Nico Hülkenberg to Renault next season, although replacing him with Esteban Ocon might soften the blow for next season.



Williams:
+ Some great performances from Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa this season, which includes podium for Bottas in Montreal.
- No points at Silverstone or Singapore, apart from that the FW38 been too slow and underdeveloped this season, fifth in the constructors' is a step backwards from Williams this season, also Felipe Massa leaving the team at the end of the season; while uncertainty on Valtteri Bottas driving for the team next season with strong rumours of Bottas replacing Rosberg at Mercedes next season.



McLaren:
+ Some great race performances from both Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button, which includes two fifth place finishes for Alonso in Monaco and Austin, Button in the Red Bull Ring finishing sixth place; sixth in the constructors' is an improvement from last season.
- Despite a much more reliable Honda power unit, power unit are still round 90-100bhp behind of the likes of Mercedes power unit; and the thirsty Honda power unit has not helped the team getting more points; Jenson Button taking a sabbatical(or going into retirement from a curtain point of view) will be blow for the team although being replace with Stoffel Vandoorne may soften the blow; and McLaren are going without the leadership of Ron Dennis going into 2017 after stepping down from his role from McLaren.



Scuderia Toro Rosso:
+ Some impressive performances from Carlos Sainz, Jr. this season which include three sixth place finishes at Barcelona, Austin and Sao Paulo.
- Despite the podium finish in Shanghai for Daniil Kvyat for Red Bull, detonating back to Toro Rosso in mid-season has destroyed Kvyat's confidence only managing 4 points compare to Sainz's tally of 42 points in that period; while using year old power units from Ferrari started to show during mid-season and only managing seventh in the constructor's standings was the best they can do; although thankfully back to Renault power units for next season.



Haas:
+ 29 points in the teams debut season includes a sixth place finish for the teams debut Grand Prix with Romain Grosjean in Melbourne, then a fifth place finish for Grosjean in Bahrain, to finish eighth place in the constructor's standings.
- no points from Esteban Gutiérrez, missing out on points with a few bad first lap starts, apart from that a good debut season from Haas.



Renault:
+ A seventh place finish for Kevin Magnussen at Sochi, best result all season for Renault.
- 78 points last season as Lotus, this season as Renault only 8 points, only 1 point from Jolyon Palmer, a very undeveloped and little to no downforce from the RS16 and with focus going to the 2017 Renault F1 car; ninth in the constructors' was not acceptable for a team like Renault.



Sauber:
+ A ninth place finish for Felipe Nasr at Sao Paulo, best result all season for Sauber.
- 36 points last season, this season 2 points, no development to the C35 for most of the season meaning slowest car at most tracks, and Peter Sauber has sold the team to Swiss-based investment firm Longbow Finance meaning the team is in a healthy state for the short term; while the team will be using year old Ferrari power units for next season.



Manor:
+ A tenth place for Pascal Wehrlein at the Red Bull Ring gives Manor their first points in Formula 1 for over two years with the help of the Mercedes power units and Williams transmission and suspension components for 2016.
- Despite the MRT05 scored a point this season, the car is undeveloped and little to no downforce meaning battling into the midfield is limited to some tracks, while Rio Haryanto lost his drive for the second half of the season due to sponsors difficulty from Indonesia, meaning Esteban Ocon replacing Haryanto for the rest of the season; and finally they finished eleventh place in the constructors standings won't help Manor going into 2017.



In part 2 of Formula 1 2016 Season Review my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2016. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2016.

Mazda's own LMP2 (well sort of) car, RT24-P

Just like Cadillac before, this car also won't be allowed to race the World Endurance Championship for LMP2 rules meaning no Le Mans outing. The Mazda RT24-P is enable to race in next seasons Prototype class in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship meaning it will race in next seasons 24 hours of Daytona.



The 2017 RT24-P, which will make its debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January with Mazda Motorsports, is the first prototype race car from Mazda since 1991 with the Mazda 787B that won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans.



Mazda launch the car during last months LA motor show, Mazda Motorsports will run a pair of Mazda RT24-P for next season.



The RT24-P will use the turbocharged 2 litre four-cylinder engine that comes from the Mazda MX5 that produces approximately 600 horsepower, meaning the RT24-P won't be allowed to race in the World Endurance Championship next year due to next year rules in LMP2 have to use Gibson Technology 4.0 V8 engine. RT24-P will have Riley Technologies to develop their chassis for next year meaning this car could be competitive at the start.

A new challenge ahead for Mazda in 2017.

2017 M-Sport Fiesta WRC

With M-Sport/Ford haven't won a WRC round since Wales Rally GB back in September 2012. Things could change though for 2017, with M-Sport unveiling their new WRC car last Friday (9/12/2016) at their base in Cumbria, unveiled the Ford Fiesta WRC.



Ford Fiesta WRC is based on the new Ford Fiesta, the Ford Fiesta WRC powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine producing around 380 bhp.



The Ford Fiesta WRC will debut at the 2016 Monte Carlo Rally where it will be driven by Ott Tänak, and Current WRC Champion Sébastien Ogier who was signed on Monday (12/12/16).

Confirmed: French Grand Prix to return in 2018

Yesterday (5/12/16), it was confirmed that the French Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2018 on a five year deal, with an agreement being reached for a race to be staged at the Circuit Paul Ricard, at Le Castellet, near Marseille, in Southern France.



It will be the first time since 2008 that the French Grand Prix will happen in 2018, when the French Grand Prix was at Magny-Cours, in central France. And the last time Paul Ricard hosted the French Grand Prix was 1990 when Alan Prost won the race.

Cadillac's own LMP2 (well sort of) car, DPi-V.R

Despite this car won't be allowed to race the World Endurance Championship for LMP2 rules meaning no Le Mans outing. The Cadillac DPi-V.R is enable to race in next seasons Prototype class in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship meaning it will race in next seasons 24 hours of Daytona.



The 2017 DPi-V.R, which will make its debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January with Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing, is the first prototype race car from Cadillac since 2002 with the Cadillac Northstar LMP.



Action Express, which has won the last years WeatherTech Championship Prototype titles, will run a pair of Cadillacs, while the Wayne Taylor Racing team will race one DPi-V.R next season.



The DPi-V.R will use the Cadillac 6.2 litre V8 engine that comes from the Cadillac CTS-V produces approximately 600 horsepower, meaning the DPi-V.R won't be allowed to race in the World Endurance Championship next year due to next year rules in LMP2 have to use Gibson Technology 4.0 V8 engine. DPi-V.R will have Dallara to develop their chassis for next year meaning this car could be competitive at the start.

A new challenge ahead for Cadillac in 2017.

2017 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

In 2014, Hyundai returned to the WRC for the first time since 2003 with the Hyundai i20 WRC; winning three rallies in three seasons. For 2017, Hyundai unveiled their new WRC car during Thursday's (1/12/2016) Monza Rally Show called Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.



Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC is based on the Hyundai i20, the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine producing around 380 bhp.



The Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC will debut at the 2016 Monte Carlo Rally where it will be driven by Thierry Neuville, Dani Sordo and Hayden Paddon.

A MotoGP Legend (Rossi) vs a WRC driver (Sordo); that means a 2016 Monza Rally Show Review

So last weekend (2-4/12/16) was the annual Monza Rally Show and two main drivers who was at the Rally was current Yamaha MotoGP rider and nine times Motorcycling champion (seven MotoGP/500cc champ, one time 250cc champ, 125cc champ) Valentino Rossi, and current Hyundai WRC driver Dani Sordo.

So the Rally itself, the final results saw Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi won this years Monza Rally Show in his M-Sport spec Ford Fiesta RS WRC.



Second was Dani Sordo in his Hyundai i20 WRC, he was eighteen seconds behind Rossi at the end. Meanwhile, Marco Bonanomi finished in third place in his Citroën DS3 WRC, he was nineteen seconds behind Rossi at the end.

Here's a YouTube video of some of the Show's highlights from last week.

It's Official - Nico Rosberg retires from F1 as Champion!

To one of the shocking news of the season. It was announced yesterday (2/12/16) by Current F1 Champion Nico Rosberg he is to retire from Formula 1, just a few days after beating Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the World Championship title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.



Rosberg, 31, communicated his decision at an FIA press conference in Vienna, in the build up to Friday evening's Prize-Giving Gala. Which means the German will thus be leaving Formula 1 after eleven seasons thus far, which includes twenty-three Grand Prix victories and one Formula World Drivers' Championship.

Rosberg career in Formula 1 started when he stepped up with Williams back in 2006, contesting four seasons includes becoming the youngest driver to score a fastest lap in his debut race and finishing seventh in that seasons' Bahrain Grand Prix, while his best result at Williams was a second place finish during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.



Then in 2010, Rosberg moved to Mercedes winning twenty-three Grand Prixs' which include winning the Formula World Drivers' Championship in 2016. Becoming the second son of a former champion (Keke Rosberg winning the title back in 1982), after Damon Hill winning the F1 drivers' title in 1996.



Possibly the most shocking news of the season. I don' think no one would have guessed that Nico Rosberg would retire from Formula 1 just a few days after winning F1 World Drivers' Title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Let alone 24 Hours ago.

I do respect Nico Rosberg for taking his career and life into his own hands and leaving the sport on his own terms and at the very top and focus more time with his family, despite he was contracted to Mercedes till 2018 losing an income of £35 million for next two seasons.

So who could replace Nico Rosberg at Mercedes next season? My guess could be Manor and Mercedes Junior driver Pascal Werhlein who's not yet contracted to any team for 2017 yet; and the easy option if it does happen for Mercedes and another reason is Mercedes is a German brand and Werhlien is German which does help Werhlien changes to get the Mercedes drive for 2017.



Other drivers could include Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon, although locked into drives for 2017. And the same for Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen will take a mammoth load of money to get them out of their contracts and also do they need another number 1 driver at Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton. Also, the retiring Jenson Button and Felipe Massa could be options, although this might not happen either they may still want go into retirement with their body language last week. So my guess is Pascal Werhlein for the job at Mercedes next season as their number two driver.

Who will replace Nico Rosberg at Mercedes next season? #F1

— J H (@jhonmotorsport) December 3, 2016

Right time to retire from Formula 1 for Nico Rosberg? time will tell. Good luck whatever Nico Rosberg does next, as his been a great ambassador for the sport and a great driver for Formula 1.