Di Resta to Replace Schumacher?

[cosworth151]

What gives at Mercedes? First, Ross Brawn says that the team has let him down. Now, Nick Fry says that di Resta is "on our radar" as a replacement for Schumacher - just in case.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99742

[Scott]

Nick Fry is an idiot.  Maybe he manages a team well, but keep the guy away from the press - he puts his foot in it more than not.   

[lkjohnson1950]

Schumacher's contract is up. If he decides to hang it up, they need a replacement. Di Resta has been their next in line for some time.

[Jericoke]

Schumacher's contract is up. If he decides to hang it up, they need a replacement. Di Resta has been their next in line for some time.

A few more incidents like the one with Senna, and he might decide not to finish the season running with these 'dangerous youngsters'.

It makes sense to have thought about it ahead of time.  It does not make sense to tell the world before any contracts are signed.  (Unless the Daimler board is worried that MercedesF1 doesn't have a plan.)

[Scott]

It makes sense for them to think about it, and talk internally, but it makes no sense for the CEO of Merc F1 to open his yap to the press about it.  I don't think MS has ever been motivated by that sort of thing, and if they want to express interest to DiResta, call him up and have a private sit-down.

[John S]

It makes sense for them to think about it, and talk internally, but it makes no sense for the CEO of Merc F1 to open his yap to the press about it.  I don't think MS has ever been motivated by that sort of thing, and if they want to express interest to DiResta, call him up and have a private sit-down.

I agree it's bad form for Fry to mention Di Resta, Michael is under contract until the end of the year, and the team has not exactly provided the reliability we have come to expect.

However I think it has always been understood that Paul is Norbert Haug's protege and he was placed at FIF1 to gain experience. - So who else Merc is likely to consider, if they have a seat free next year, is more a story than them keeping a watchful eye on Haug's young hopeful.

 

 

 

[F1fanaticBD]

Perhaps Fry is trying to convey the message to Ferrari, " Hands off Paul, he is ours"

[lkjohnson1950]

It would not surprise me if Di Resta was in fact contracted to Mercedes and just on loan to FIF1. It could be a deal as part of the FIF1 engine package.

[cosworth151]

Perhaps Fry is trying to convey the message to Ferrari, " Hands off Paul, he is ours"

It could be that Merc is trying to stake a claim on di Resta. It might also be a misdirection to draw attention from another driver they want.

[Scott]

Or a negotiating tactic if they've already started sitting down with Schumi 

[F1fanaticBD]

Perhaps Fry is not impressed with MS (he may be a pupil of Monty-clan), so instead of straight forward no to MS, he is opting for a counter-measurement, to make the Mercedes people to think about Di Riesta..

[Dare]

Michael deserves better than this just as he deserved better
from Luca at Ferrari

[Scott]

Michael deserves better than this just as he deserved better
from Luca at Ferrari

Absolutely 

[Jericoke]

Michael deserves better than this just as he deserved better
from Luca at Ferrari

Absolutely 

To expand on a theme, Ferrari treated both Schumacher and Kimi pretty poorly (in the public sphere anyway).  Look how many championships it's gotten them.

Mercedes might look in other directions to see how championship teams treat drivers.