After the unexpected retirement of Nico Rosberg just five days after winning his first Formula 1 World Championship, Mercedes have been tasked with a huge problem to find a suitable replacement. If latest rumours are to be believed, Mercedes have made Williams' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas as their number one target.
Despite Williams rejecting an initial offer from Mercedes, it's expected that negotiations between the two teams will continue over the next few days. Toto Wolff approached Williams with an initial offer that gives them a major reduction in their engine bill, which is said to be in the region of €10m Euros (£8.4m); more than half the total fee — in return for releasing Bottas. Another plus point for Mercedes is that Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff is part of Bottas' management team, so this might give them a slight advantage while negotiating a deal.
It was initially rumoured that Mercedes might promote one of their junior drivers, Pascal Wehrlein, who is currently driving for Manor Racing. But the Mercedes team feels that he lack the experience required to help Mercedes defend their constructors' title. At the moment Mercedes have a limited choice, given that every driver with experience is contracted to a rival.
Toto Wolff has been working overtime to find a suitable teammate for Lewis Hamilton next season, with pre-season testing due to start in February. He also said that Mercedes need to make a brave decision while finding a replacement as Rosberg's unexpected departure was a big blow for the team.
"Clearly, with Nico taking the decision quite late we are in a bit of a compromised situation because if we had known three months ago there were more options available, maybe we need to make a brave decision in the same way Nico has made a brave decision. He will leave a very big gap because he was not only a very fast driver, but he was able to push Lewis, they pushed each other and were therefore really able to perform well and score our goals for victories. His technical ability in giving us directions and being part of the development work of the car, that's a part we are going to greatly miss. Whoever is going to replace Nico needs to fill those big shoes" Sky Sports quoted the Mercedes boss as saying.
