Who Could Fill the Vacant Mercedes Cockpit?

[Erwin Greven]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/38282791

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas is Mercedes' first choice to replace Nico Rosberg as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate, BBC Sport has learned.

But Williams have rejected an initial offer to release Finn Bottas from his 2017 contract.

I think Wehrlein indeed has the best cards atm.

 

[fortyfivekev]

I would assume that Williams are just holding out for a better deal before releasing Bottas. A longer/cheaper engine contract is a pretty big lever Mercedes have there. Nice to see Sainz mentioned in that BBC piece as I would rather see him at Merc just because he has more of the spark needed to compete against Lewis.

Paddy Lowe's move has been underway for sometime before Nico announced his retirement so I don't see how that can be tied in at all. He will be out of contract so can go where he wants.