Formula One ( F1 )

there are rumours that Sky are going to sublet out a highlights package to domestic FTA channels on a country by country basis where they own the rights in that country...
so for us here in UK, depending on its costs will depend on what channel might pick it up - i suspect C4 might try and get another year when they finish up next year as its been quite a success for them, in terms of average viewing figures for that Channel
Sky's current NOWTV allows a weekend "pass" to watch F1 without buying the entire Sky package - so i guess you can pick and choose your races if you really wanted to get the LIVE coverage.

rosberg quits

^ Just came to post this. Weird.

Ditto

Maybe he was talking about retyring for next season and someone got their wires crossed?

Alonso to Merc, Button back in.

How exciting...

Finally had enough of Hamilton and called it quits maybe? I'll be surprised if Merc dont go after Riccardo or Verstappen,Verstappen would jump ship pretty easy i'd say.

That was unexpected.

Alonso back with Lewis? Yeah right.

Pretty sure Red Bull will have Verstappen tucked up very tightly

He probably heard that they are not going to punish Lewis for what he did, given that Lewis seems to be able to do/say/suggest whatever he wants within the team, where as Nico plays good and obeys, he thought he's done what he wanted and time to move on. I think he'd enjoy WEC myself.

As for his replacement - the money has to be on a 1 season deal with Alonso - who, i'm sure, has a number of get out clauses in McH.

I think there's little doubt that in terms of pure speed/racing ability it was Hamilton over Rosberg, I think it'll be great racing to see Alonso and Hamilton in the same machine - genuine uncertainty over who'd be fastest on a given circuit, rather than knowing that Hamilton will always have the ability to go that fraction faster (than Rosberg).

Ha.

Both Ricciardo and Verstappen have "long term" contracts with RB which probably rules them out. Shame Hulkenberg just signed for Renault, if Alonso moves would of loved to see him at Mclaren although not sure you could call that a step forward from Force India right now.

Alonso has been my favourite driver for the last 3 years but i'm not sure if it'll stay that way if he ends up at Merc, was a horrible pairing at Mclaren and i can't see it being any better this time round

from the guardian:

"Maybe Mercedes have told him they don't think they can get away with making Lewis engines explode next year as well"

quality

Is alonso not off to world endurance with Porsche next year?

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/le-mans/alonso-porsche

Money talks though and if Merc want them enough they would pay what it takes. Then have them pray the new car is competitive.

Pascal Wehrlein to Merc next year I guess.

Looking forward to that if it happens!

Fairly sure he said he'll hang around for a year if the car is decent.

So yes.

True on the money but based on the competitiveness of the Red Bull recently not sure its a dead cert or even a good move, very different circumstances but thinking of Senna to Williams.

Rumour has Bottas in the mix as Merc supply Williams, plus they can offer Wehrlein as a replacement along with a bucket of cash.

Bye bye Nico.

I grudgingly admit, going out the way he did was an exercise in supreme class. Kudos.

Of course, he might have asked for 200M/year off the back of being World Champion and Merc told him to seek happiness elsewhere

Perez would be the next WC if he got in a Mercedes.
So unlikely to be considered.

The Perez who Mclaran sacked for being slower than Button everywhere, all the time, in the same car?

Or......he might have asked for a pay rise to match Lewis, and maybe didn't get it? That would encourage most in that position to walk away.