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F1 News & Discussions => F1 Drivers => Topic started by: Calman on December 04, 2018, 07:06:19 PM

Title: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Calman on December 04, 2018, 07:06:19 PM
Well, that's the outspoken view of, you guessed it, Jacques Villeneuve!!!

Apparently, should Bottas fail to deliver in the first handful of races, Mr V thinks that Mercedes will take the decision to put Ocon in the car, essentially "firing" Valterri, having only secured a 12 months contract in his extension with the team.

Thoughts ...

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: John S on December 04, 2018, 07:30:53 PM
I thought he penned a 2 year deal before this season started, but that could be wrong. :DntKnw:
I'm pretty sure his first year 2017 was a one year deal with the option on Mercs side for more.

Still means he's out of contract at the end of next year, and Merc do have the luxury of Ocon in the wings to help motivate Valtieri more next term.
Don't set much store by JV comments though, he's usually more provocative than accurate. :(
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Dare on December 04, 2018, 09:40:28 PM
As long as Ham is winning and Bottas has decent
resuts I think he'll be safe.
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Calman on December 04, 2018, 10:04:42 PM
As long as Ham is winning and Bottas has decent
resuts I think he'll be safe.

I hate to say it, but that's probably about the size of it Dare!! ... Mercedes policy is probably down the road of whoever partners Lewis, their seat is safe, so long as they can bring home a 1-2 for the team for every 3 out of 5 outings!!

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Calman on December 04, 2018, 10:06:59 PM
I thought he penned a 2 year deal before this season started, but that could be wrong. :DntKnw:
I'm pretty sure his first year 2017 was a one year deal with the option on Mercs side for more.

It sounds promising as a long term contract - until you read the small print!!
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2018/07/20/valtteri-bottas-signs-new-mercedes-contract-keep-alongside-lewis/

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Jericoke on December 04, 2018, 10:08:10 PM
As long as Ham is winning and Bottas has decent
resuts I think he'll be safe.

What criteria do you see Bottas being in danger?  Consistent 6th place qualification and finishes?  Below 6th?  Is Hamilton's performance relevant? 

I think everyone expected the gap between Bottas and Hamilton to shrink this year, but I would say that it grew.  If the gap grows larger, even if Bottas is doing 'well', maybe Mercedes will want to shake things up. 
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Calman on December 04, 2018, 10:16:32 PM
Myself, I like Bottas "as a guy" ... but I can't help but feel that Ocon has more hunger for success than Bottas currently appears to show.  When Bottas's name first circulated, we expected big things and when partnering Massa at Williams, neutral fans expected Bottas to blow Massa away on outright pace - but it didn't happen.   

Every time the discussion comes up, people play it down by saying that it's simply based on the excellence of Lewis and not so much an underperforming Bottas - by surely you can only say that so many times???

Regardless, on paper, I feel that Ocon deserves a chance in a top team (especially after losing his seat at Force Pink) where Bottas may soon feel the heat, should Lewis run away with results early in 2019, particularly if the opposition are breathing down Mercedes neck!!

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Dare on December 05, 2018, 03:03:51 AM
As long as Ham is winning and Bottas has decent
resuts I think he'll be safe.

What criteria do you see Bottas being in danger?  Consistent 6th place qualification and finishes?  Below 6th?  Is Hamilton's performance relevant? 

I think everyone expected the gap between Bottas and Hamilton to shrink this year, but I would say that it grew.  If the gap grows larger, even if Bottas is doing 'well', maybe Mercedes will want to shake things up.

As long as Lewis is winning the powers to be at Mercedes
want the wing driver to be successful but not too successful
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Jericoke on December 05, 2018, 03:17:41 PM
As long as Ham is winning and Bottas has decent
resuts I think he'll be safe.

What criteria do you see Bottas being in danger?  Consistent 6th place qualification and finishes?  Below 6th?  Is Hamilton's performance relevant? 

I think everyone expected the gap between Bottas and Hamilton to shrink this year, but I would say that it grew.  If the gap grows larger, even if Bottas is doing 'well', maybe Mercedes will want to shake things up.

As long as Lewis is winning the powers to be at Mercedes
want the wing driver to be successful but not too successful

I think Mercedes wants a repeat of 2016 with Nico and Lewis utterly dominating the sport.

Having the first 8 time champion in a Mercedes is great, but having the WDC come down to the last race, between two Mercedes drivers, is better.

I don't think that Mercedes is Hamilton's team in any way, except that he's the best they have.  They'll gladly take someone better.  I also think Hamilton respects that, hence the gamesmanship with his teammates.
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: cosworth151 on December 05, 2018, 04:23:49 PM
I think Mercedes learned the hard way that they don't want their drivers competing with each other. Too many double DNF's with badly bent cars.

Calman comparing Bottas to Massa got me to thinking about the similarities between them. I think that Massa is highly under rated now, largely because of his role as a #2 driver. Remember, in 2008 he came within a point of beating Lewis for the WDC. The following year he had the head injury and wasn't ever quite the same driver.

Bottas risks having much the same fate - a potential winner stuck in the shadow of a legend at a top team. Maybe leaving Merc might be the best thing that could happen to him.
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Calman on January 10, 2019, 04:01:21 AM
Apparently, Bottas has now lost his main sponsor due to weak performances in 2018.  I think he is in for a tough 2019 campaign with Toto breathing down his neck and now this.   You have to believe that certain other drivers are already itching for that second seat at Mercedes. 

... not Mr Max though, as he has publicly stated that he want to beat Mercedes in a "rival car"  ::)

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Alianora La Canta on January 10, 2019, 06:36:11 AM
Apparently, Bottas has now lost his main sponsor due to weak performances in 2018.  I think he is in for a tough 2019 campaign with Toto breathing down his neck and now this.   You have to believe that certain other drivers are already itching for that second seat at Mercedes. 

... not Mr Max though, as he has publicly stated that he want to beat Mercedes in a "rival car"  ::)

Best Regards,
Cal :)

Bottas had sponsors?!? First I heard of it - maybe that's why he's getting dropped!
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Calman on January 10, 2019, 06:54:46 AM
This is one of many varied sources out there right now ALaC ...

https://www.f1today.net/en/news/f1/244319/bottas-suffers-loss-of-main-sponsor-wihuri

I think after Ocon's shock exit from Force India, Toto is eager to get him back in a competitive car, so with everything surrounding Bottas (lack of performance, main sponsor dropping out etc, I wouldn't put it past Mercedes to get Ocon in the car during the summer break.

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: guest3164 on January 10, 2019, 07:06:16 AM
Bottas had a couple I think.  Wihuri was clearly one and I think Kemppi is another that has a logo on his helmet.
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Calman on January 10, 2019, 07:34:59 AM
Well spotted there Luke!  :good:

Now then, maybe he should keep the off season beard, as he is clearly in for a rough season in 2019 ...
http://f1i.com/images/327516-who-thinks-the-beard-should-stay.html

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: cosworth151 on January 10, 2019, 10:33:03 PM
Why not? Finland gets mighty cold this time of year!
Title: Re: Bottas could be Dropped during 2019 Campaign?
Post by: Calman on January 10, 2019, 11:02:12 PM
I actually think the beard suits Valterri, but I was never confused!!!  :-[  :DD

Best Regards,
Cal :)
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