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'Vettel driving for Mercedes seems like a good fit'

Published on 21 Mar 2017 08:56
8
By: Rob Veenstra

Sebastian Vettel "would fit" into the Mercedes team, according to team boss Toto Wolff. It is the clearest sign yet that the reigning world champions are already looking firmly into the future, having signed Valtteri Bottas only for 2017 following Nico Rosberg's shock retirement.

Fellow Mercedes chief Niki Lauda this week in fact rejected the Vettel-to-Mercedes talk, insisting "That is not our plan -- I must say that quite clearly". But very different noises are coming from Wolff's mouth. "2018 opens up alternatives that may be interesting but at the moment we do not waste time and will focus instead on bringing Bottas up to speed," he told Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper.

Asked if he was referring to German Vettel, Wolff answered: "I personally have a good relationship with him and he would fit into the team. However, Sebastian is someone who is absolutely loyal to his current employer. When Nico retired, he was not one of the interesting applicants for the seat," he revealed. "He only said 'Oh, this is surprising'. He is focusing on Ferrari with everything he has. What the future brings we will see, but it would be negligent to not have Sebastian on the list," added Wolff.

When told that 'German quadruple world champion Vettel driving a Mercedes' seems like a good fit, Wolff agreed: "Sounds good. But as good as it sounds, it matters little now. My favourite scenario is that it works out with Valtteri and Lewis," he said. (GMM)

HEINZ

Posts: 61

Vettel leaves for Merc, Alonso returns to Ferrari to end his career. Seems a happy ending for everyone except Hamilton.

2
Mar 21 2017 - 10:33

F1 News Valtteri Bottas Nico Rosberg Sebastian Vettel Susie Wolff Ferrari Mercedes

Replies (8)

Wolfgang

Posts: 313
vettel surely won´t go there..
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- Mar 21 2017 - 09:39
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Vettel will go wherever there is a strong car. I doubt 2016 was the last year Mercedes were good, and I think Mercedes will remain competitive for a long time. It makes sense for Vettel to go there.
  + 1
  
  Mar 21 2017 - 19:54
- Wolfgang
  
  Posts: 313
  Calle, i don´t think so. Vettel seems to me like a loyal guy who knows he´s proven everything in this sport. All above that is just bonus and he wants to earn this with Ferrari.. I don´t see Vettel changing team anytime soon, i predict he´s going to end his career at Ferrari in his late 30´s..
  + 0
  
  Mar 22 2017 - 09:10
HEINZ

Posts: 61
Vettel leaves for Merc, Alonso returns to Ferrari to end his career. Seems a happy ending for everyone except Hamilton.
- + 2
- Mar 21 2017 - 10:33
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
They are trying to destabilize Ferrari, this means Mercedes are deeply concerned of something. Hmm... wonder what that could be huh?
- + 0
- Mar 21 2017 - 17:56
- Wolfgang
  
  Posts: 313
  exactly.. that´s the main reason behind that. Nontheless i think the bond between Seb and Ferrari is too strong...
  + 0
  
  Mar 22 2017 - 09:12
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
All good and well for Mercedes, maybe, but Hamilton would certainly not like this. Neither Vettel or Hamilton will settle for second driver or equal driver, they want to be the center of their team's attention.
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- Mar 21 2017 - 19:53
- Wolfgang
  
  Posts: 313
  especially our special badmouthing egomaniac british friend..
  + 0
  
  Mar 22 2017 - 09:12