Who should get the second Mercedes?
Heidfeld could move from one German team to another
Mercedes Grand Prix announced their first driver yesterday and few were su[prised to discover it was Nico Rosberg.
Who will end up in the second car run by the championship-winners is a much more interesting question as it's probably the most coveted vacant seat in F1. Who do you think should get it?
Who should drive the second Mercedes?
- Michael Schumacher (15%)
- Kimi Raikkonen (26%)
- Nick Heidfeld (11%)
- Adrian Sutil (4%)
- Robert Kubica (41%)
- Someone else (3%)
Total Voters: 5,959
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Michael Schumacher – Does Michael Schumacher really want a comeback with the team that gave him a leg-up towards F1? When he missed out on his chance with Ferrari this year it was clear how badly he desired a return. But this would be for a full championship season, requiring more commitment than just filling in for a few races.
Kimi Raikkonen – Raikkonen’s only realistic hope of staying in F1 next year, assuming Mercedes aren’t after an all-German line-up.
Nick Heidfeld – Many would like to see Heidfeld get the seat purely because despite being quick he doesn’t attract attention the likes of Robert Kubica do. And he’s been passed over for top-line drives before – notably when McLaren picked Kimi Raikkonen over him for 2002, despite Heidfeld’s history with the team.
Adrian Sutil – Shown some promise at Force India but has been erratic.
Robert Kubica – Could well end up back on the market as Renault weight up their future in F1.
Which of these drivers should get the second seat at Mercedes? Or should it go to someone different? Cast your vote above and leave a comment below.
Mercedes Grand Prix in 2010
GeeMac said on 24th November 2009, 13:11
Heart says Kimi (just to keep him in F1) but my head says Heidfeld.
Ciaran said on 24th November 2009, 13:40
Same. Kimi has had his chances, while Heidfeld needs a chance in a top car.
Andrew said on 24th November 2009, 13:12
It’s about time that team gave Anthony Davidson is fair chance.
wayne said on 25th November 2009, 1:25
could not agree more
Fer no.65 said on 24th November 2009, 13:13
I can’t see why people rate Sutil so high.
He has showed speed but unconsistency and an alarming tendency to crash (okay, Kimi may be out next season so Sutil won’t have problems crashing to him)
But still. He’s accident prone
Better to stick with Nick Heidfeld, a extremely reliable driver who still has speed (come on, even his much rated team mate couldn’t really beat him)
luigismen said on 24th November 2009, 13:15
I don’t know why they don’t grab Sutil, I think he’s a decent driver and he will do well in a race winning car (or former race winning car).
I would give Sutil a chance at mercedes
dcowlives said on 24th November 2009, 13:16
As this is who I think “should” get it, as opposed to who “will” get it then…
Raikkonen …simply because if it hadn’t been for the unreliability of Mercedes engines he would have been a triple World Champion already… Mercedes owe him this drive.
However in reality, I would have said Heidfeld for the reasons Keith gives and that he is truely underrated… but can’t help thinking about Haugs “surprise” and it could well be Schumi or Kimi.
Mahir C said on 24th November 2009, 13:32
I would say Raikonnen, if he is wiling to of course. Schumacher is just too old and he said he didnt want to be a grandad in F1. I would rather go with proven winners. I dont always assume that drivers who did well with an average car will be succesful when they are in a top team, seen a lot of drivers who did wonders in average cars and failed when it mattered. Fisi is the prime example. Remember DC was matching and often beating Hakkinen when Mclaren wasnt the top team, but when it mattered it was Hakkinen who rose to the challenge.
F1 Outsider said on 24th November 2009, 13:35
Come on people… Schumacher in a Merc, Alonso in a Ferrari, Hamilton in a McLaren, Vettel in a Red Bull. Who wouldn’t love to see that? Then you also have Massa, Button, Rosberg, Kubica…
Becken said on 24th November 2009, 13:56
Yeah, I have the same opinion, Mr Outsider.
NomadIndian said on 24th November 2009, 19:43
Just replace Schumi with Kimi in the Merc and we still have a smacker!
Alonso wants revenge on Hamilton, Kimi wants to beat Ferrari, Hamilton and Button will be fighting for the upper hand at McLaren… Vettel wanting another shot at the WDC… *drooling*
F1 Outsider said on 24th November 2009, 21:50
Add to that Massa wanting to prove himself against Alonso, Webber against Vettel and who knows, maybe Williams will surprise and have a competitive car and Barrichello can get in the mix.
The cream of F1 is certainly rising to the top.
Salty said on 25th November 2009, 18:14
Totally agree. Besides, Merc have made it clear they don’t have money to burn, so Kimi is definately off the list. Schumacher in a Silver Arrow would be a remarkable thing to see and Willi Weber stoked the rumours further today by telling German magazine Bunte he was “absolutely fit” and “could drive for victories”.
Got my fingers crossed. Bet Hamilton wants this with a passion too…
Dat said on 24th November 2009, 13:46
I think it’s gonna be Heidfeld – but why haven’t they signed him already? His salary can’t be an issue.
F1 Outsider said on 24th November 2009, 14:09
Because if they sign him right away, then it’s settled and nobody will be talking about Brawn/Mercedes until March. Whereas if they keep the Schumacher rumour going, that’s all anyone’s gonna talk about, bringing attention to the team and away from McLaren.
Dennis said on 26th November 2009, 13:35
haha so true!! All this “Silly season nonsense” is purely publicity related. My heart and head say Nick Heidfeld. He’s proven to be faster than Kimi and he got passed for good race seats a few times too often. I’d like to see him up against Rosberg too, not because the’re 2 Germans, but more because everybody thinks highly of Rosberg (including myself) and I’m curious to wether Heidfeld will do better than him too! I still think it’s hard to tell wether Mercedes Gp is going to be a top team next year – they started out as the no. 1 car this year but later on the RBR and McClaren were the better cars.. Anyway let’s hope they give Nick a chance, he so deserves it!
Its Hammer time said on 24th November 2009, 13:59
I think it will and should be Heidfeld and that’s an end of it. Remember Silverstone 2008? I loved being there and watching Hamilton win which is what is remembered by all. Few remember that Heidfeld came screaming up the order and was reeling Hamilton in at 2 seconds a lap in parts which was not down to extreme wets like Barrichello’s Honda.
Kubica is over-rated. The media seem to have portrayed that when Kubica performs he’s talent and when Nick performs he’s lucky.
I am so sure Heidfeld will get the drive I have put money on him to win his first race in the 2010 season. You heard it here first. Kimi and Michael will enjoying watching it with the rest of us next year.
Gman said on 24th November 2009, 14:36
I can’t agree more :)
Wesley said on 24th November 2009, 23:29
Very well said Hammer time!!! :)
Hope you win your money.I’m not a betting man but,I will be having a toast to the first Heidfeld win.
Random Chimp said on 24th November 2009, 14:00
Please Raikkonen if only to keep him in F1, though Heidfeld deserves a decent team.
Don’t see Kubica or Sutil going there and Schumacher is yesterday’s jam.
George said on 24th November 2009, 22:47
Scrape the mould off the top and it’ll be fine?
Random Chimp said on 24th November 2009, 23:11
’tis from the IT Crowd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAuyN1Sys9k
Clay said on 24th November 2009, 14:07
How about this – Mercedes sign Kimi then swap him to Red Bull for Vettel…
Patrickl said on 24th November 2009, 14:56
Yeah, I’ll bet they are signing only a 2 year deal.
Chaz said on 24th November 2009, 14:07
Sutil needs a break so let him have a go…
Patrickl said on 24th November 2009, 14:54
Sutil has broken so many cars already …
inc0mmunicado said on 24th November 2009, 14:21
with the kind of money merc/brawn were showing button, i doubt michael s was their real target. sure it would be a dream for ross brawn, but i think he’s more than willing to show how good his cars are even if they arent driven by a superstar. my money is on RALF as the merc surprise. ralfy didnt just go into hiding after 07- he drove dtm for merc….
ajokay said on 24th November 2009, 14:26
I’d like to see Heidfeld get the place, I want the guy to hav a proper chance in what wil probably be a very decent car. Although I’m sure he was thinking the same thing about this season himself.
If not him, then Schumacher, that would be pretty special.
DrF1 said on 24th November 2009, 14:39
If you want to win… get a Finn!
I want Kimi to be in the Merc, but if he is determined to sit 2010 out, then I’d like to see Kovalinen or Trulli added to the list.
Hope it’s Kimi.