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Pascal Wehrlein has emerged as a fourth candidate to become Lance Stroll's teammate at Williams next year. Earlier, reports circulated that Robert Kubica and Paul di Resta will go head-to-head in unofficial 'shootout' tests later this month. But Bild newspaper quotes Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff as saying: "I think Williams is talking to four drivers. "(They are) Robert, Paul, Felipe and Pascal."
Kubica's high-profile hopes could get a boost this weekend at Suzuka, with his co-manager Nico Rosberg in the paddock on television commentary duties for broadcaster Sky. But Wolff also referred to German Wehrlein, who is in danger of losing his Sauber seat next year as the Swiss team looks to bring in Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc.
Earlier, it was believed Mercedes-backed Wehrlein had been ruled out by Williams, as team sponsor Martini wanted at least one 2018 driver to be over the age of 25. But Auto Bild reports that Williams has "confirmed that the use of a driver over 25 is not a contractual commitment". The report explained that at the few countries on the F1 calendar where the legal alcohol consumption age is 25, test driver di Resta could stand in as a PR representative. (GMM)
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (11)
Login to replyjuju_hound
Posts: 180
Anyway I doubt Martini would agree for that. Williams would have two young not experience drivers.
Savio
Posts: 145
Juju, you are pretty right. You have Nico "honey" Hulkenberg and Sebastian "rookie" Vettel and that's enough for You ; )
Freguz
Posts: 160
I think Ericsson is the best option here, and so it will be.
Savio
Posts: 145
Are you joking? Marcus "I crashed" Ericsson?
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
I don't really get the love for Wehrlein. Of course it's hard to impress in a Sauber, but even at Manor he didn't exactly destroy Haryanto like you would've expected.
Of course Williams are whoring themselves out these years, so if Toto gives them a nice little discount on the PU, then I guess anything is possible.
I don't ever see Ericsson moving up the ranks though.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
No, but then again Haryanto wasnt really shabby either, so if he destroyed him he would've been a top notch. I agree about Ericsson, he is just 'meh'. Money can only get you so far. Sure, he wasnt bad against Kobayashi, and Kobayashi isnt really a bad driver (in other series), but he hasnt impressed. Like with Palmer, I dont rate Ericsson as F1 material.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Haryanto had the reputation of being basically a pure pay driver, someone who wouldn't have been looked twice at, if it wasn't for the massive amount of money he brought with him, while Wehrlein - especially before his debut - was touted as the second coming. In reality both might have been closer to average in their own way than expected.
Yeah, I mean, I don't ever recall Ericsson doing something spectacular. Of course it's also not easy in a Sauber, but still.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well, he hasnt exactly been lucky with the teams he has been in, I mean first Caterham and then Sauber, but I really just think there are better drivers around. I sorta didnt understand why he was so hyped up, mean it was pretty obvious how much Mercedes favoured him in DTM the year when he took his championship (as in they literally swapped him with all other Mercedes cars, championship contenders included), but he has driven pretty well. The way he managed to push that Sauber last year was impressive. Still, I find Ocon more impressive.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
I don't follow DTM anymore, so I want aware of the circumstances of his DTM run - however, it certainly makes with how he's done in F1.
I agree about Ocon. I've been very impressed with him from the first time I saw him in F1
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Mercedes made sure he became DTM champion. He's overrated and not really f1 material. Would rather see Paul in that seat since he was impressive in the fi all those years ago. However shouldn't wiliams have better drivers than that... maybe its the reason why they are low in the rankings.
Savio
Posts: 145
To be honest, Paul was very average in FI...