[Jffxljtw]

Why would you want a German when you can have one of the best drivers in the field and a driver who is STILL fighting for the title in the 2nd last race and quite probably in the last race too. Idiots...

[insightmike]

I heard a rumor that whoever wins the WDC will remain at Brawn GP. If Vettel wins it, I don't know - ther was no comment.

[Unhappu]

I heard a rumor that whoever wins the WDC will remain at Brawn GP. If Vettel wins it, I don't know - ther was no comment.

That would make sense from a commercial point of view, but I'd think Button is odds on to remain at the team. Ross Brawn seems to rate him very highly and also there is the commercial benefit of having a British driver in a British team.

Without a doubt though, Rubinho deserves that seat more than Rosberg and has done a lot better than Button this second half of the season.

[mpzoFeJs]

The problem is that the age-factor is too clearly against the older guys. If drivers are more or less on a similar level (which I think Rosberg and Barrichello might be), younger drivers, who have more years left in them and more room for further improving, are preferred. Also drivers like Trulli and Heidfeld could be left without drive for next year, while much younger guys like Glock, Sutil and even Kovalainen are more likely to find a drive. If Barrichello was 10 years younger, nobody would try to get him out of that Brawn seat. Actually, those same 10 years ago in 1999, when Rubens was also very impressive, he was linked to both Ferrari and McLaren drives in the silly season rumours, one of which he finally got.

[Jffxljtw]

The problem is that the age-factor is too clearly against the older guys. If drivers are more or less on a similar level (which I think Rosberg and Barrichello might be), younger drivers, who have more years left in them and more room for further improving, are preferred. Also drivers like Trulli and Heidfeld could be left without drive for next year, while much younger guys like Glock, Sutil and even Kovalainen are more likely to find a drive. If Barrichello was 10 years younger, nobody would try to get him out of that Brawn seat. Actually, those same 10 years ago in 1999, when Rubens was also very impressive, he was linked to both Ferrari and McLaren drives in the silly season rumours, one of which he finally got.

If the rumours of Jenson falling back on Rubens' setup are true though I think Rubens' experience is more valuable and the fact that he still has this pace at his age is amazing. Personally I wouldn't get rid of either of them.

[Svatudjw]

Why would you want a German when you can have one of the best drivers in the field and a driver who is STILL fighting for the title in the 2nd last race and quite probably in the last race too. Idiots...

They don't want a German, they want a Monacan with a dual nationality . But I agree with you.

[Hokimjers]

Why would you want a German when you can have one of the best drivers in the field and a driver who is STILL fighting for the title in the 2nd last race and quite probably in the last race too. Idiots...

Is SchM making a comeback??

[texprofi]

A company like Mercedes Benz, one of the great carmakers should know better than to believe nationality is important. Ask yourself - would YOU buy ANYTHNG just because someone that is in some way the same as you was represented or recommended it? Of course not, a rational consumer spending MONEY wants a good product and surely MB recognize that.

The Mercedes marketing department could not be that dumb.

Anyone advocating a driver be selected based on nationality has nothing to do with logic but everything to do with that most pervasive evil called nationalism.

And it would be unfortunate if nationalism were the reason for ANY team let alone Germany, given its history. Knowing how Germany has evolved I would be suprised and disgusted if it was after a nationality driver.

Mercedes should be requested to explain its position on this - as far as I know the driver nationality issue is still speculation BECAUSE the company has never stated so.

Age is a factor because Barrichello is in the retirement window, but if Raikkonen cannot be placed at Brawn, then really, why replace him at all? Rosberg is not at all the answer.

I would love to see Jenson and Kimi at Brawn.

[klnbgqr]

I would love to see Jenson and Kimi at Brawn.

Since you are a Button fan, perhaps you should be careful what you wish for.

[Ephedrine]

German ?


forceindia ?

sutil ?

[texprofi]

Since you are a Button fan, perhaps you should be careful what you wish for.

Why? Jenson is not afraid of teammates and is equally capable.

I think it would a team filled with ideal personalities versus the histrionics and hysteria that will eminate from the Ferrari side in 2010!!

[texprofi]

They don't want a German, they want a Monacan with a dual nationality . But I agree with you.

With respect - the correct term is Monegasque and there are very few indeed - none amongst the drivers.

[Heopretg2006]

A company like Mercedes Benz, one of the great carmakers should know better than to believe nationality is important. Ask yourself - would YOU buy ANYTHNG just because someone that is in some way the same as you was represented or recommended it? Of course not, a rational consumer spending MONEY wants a good product and surely MB recognize that.

The Mercedes marketing department could not be that dumb.

Anyone advocating a driver be selected based on nationality has nothing to do with logic but everything to do with that most pervasive evil called nationalism.

And it would be unfortunate if nationalism were the reason for ANY team let alone Germany, given its history. Knowing how Germany has evolved I would be suprised and disgusted if it was after a nationality driver.

Mercedes should be requested to explain its position on this - as far as I know the driver nationality issue is still speculation BECAUSE the company has never stated so.

Age is a factor because Barrichello is in the retirement window, but if Raikkonen cannot be placed at Brawn, then really, why replace him at all? Rosberg is not at all the answer.

I would love to see Jenson and Kimi at Brawn.

You have no grasp of basic human nature. Nationalism is a very strong thought process and not always an evil one.
Nationalism saved Europe from National-Socialism.
Nationalism is at the core of the biggest sporting events. the Olympic games, the World Cup, Ryder Cup, America's Cup.

Also if Mercedes wants a German Driver it is nobody's business. You have no right to question them

[Hokimjers]

You have no grasp of basic human nature. Nationalism is a very strong thought process and not always an evil one.
Nationalism saved Europe from National-Socialism.
Nationalism is at the core of the biggest sporting events. the Olympic games, the World Cup, Ryder Cup, America's Cup.

Also if Mercedes wants a German Driver it is nobody's business. You have no right to question them

It is interesting that during it's previous entry into F1, the Renault team favored French drivers.

And Jack Brabham also favored an Aussi called Black Jack, although he also let a Kiwi co-drive for him.

But, of course, England has a great history of getting South Africans play and even captain their cricket team, so there is a wonderful example of multi- cultural-ism.

[Agitoligflise]

You have no grasp of basic human nature. Nationalism is a very strong thought process and not always an evil one.
Nationalism saved Europe from National-Socialism.
Nationalism is at the core of the biggest sporting events. the Olympic games, the World Cup, Ryder Cup, America's Cup.

Also if Mercedes wants a German Driver it is nobody's business. You have no right to question them

agreed but one has to question how barrichello is not as good as rosberg. In my view, they're both great drivers and barrichello has really shown his worth this season. If Ferrari had not of favoured schumi, who knows, he may have been a world champion by now......

the German thing is important for mercedes obviously, BUT, If mercedes want a german in one of what we would call 'main 2 teams' ie Macca and Brawn, and Kimi goes to rallying or toyota, then there may be a vacant seat at Mclaren, and rosberg could fit in there. although i hasten to add it would be better to see kimi in that macca seat.

seems to me like Ross has little choice unfortunatly.....

[dremucha]

If the rumours of Jenson falling back on Rubens' setup are true though I think Rubens' experience is more valuable and the fact that he still has this pace at his age is amazing. Personally I wouldn't get rid of either of them.

I wouldn't either but Rubens has history with the Brackley boys, they don't like him, never have and never will.

I have no idea why that is, certainly its not based on his performance on track when even during the bad years he kept Button honest.

Rubens was Honda's choice, they wanted him but the British based management and mid-level guys didn't want him. I thought his days were numbered after Honda left but Ross clearly wanted a safe pair of hands on the second car so he stayed. Now I suspect that even if he wins the championship (hope he does) there's not much Ross can do to keep the team from kicking him out, especially if their engine maker wants another driver in.

[dremucha]

A company like Mercedes Benz, one of the great carmakers should know better than to believe nationality is important. Ask yourself - would YOU buy ANYTHNG just because someone that is in some way the same as you was represented or recommended it? Of course not, a rational consumer spending MONEY wants a good product and surely MB recognize that.

The Mercedes marketing department could not be that dumb.

Anyone advocating a driver be selected based on nationality has nothing to do with logic but everything to do with that most pervasive evil called nationalism.

And it would be unfortunate if nationalism were the reason for ANY team let alone Germany, given its history. Knowing how Germany has evolved I would be suprised and disgusted if it was after a nationality driver.

Mercedes should be requested to explain its position on this - as far as I know the driver nationality issue is still speculation BECAUSE the company has never stated so.

Age is a factor because Barrichello is in the retirement window, but if Raikkonen cannot be placed at Brawn, then really, why replace him at all? Rosberg is not at all the answer.

I would love to see Jenson and Kimi at Brawn.

Have to agree with Antonyvop here (a very rare occurrence believe me) but your post simply doesn't make sense. Nationalism plays a strong role in F1. The fact that a German rival was already in F1 was a strong influence on BMW entering the sport, ditto for Toyota and Honda. You'd be naive to think that it didn't have an effect on the driver market with both Force India and Lotus talking about wanting an Indian and Malaysian driver respectively and Honda in the past pushing for a Japanese driver or a Brazilian one if possible (there are strong national links between Japan and Brazil especially in sport).

Also if nationalism riles you so much how did you feel about Mercedes picking the German national racing colour, silver/metal finish as its team livery for McLaren? What about Ferrari using Italian red, Toyota using Japanese red/white?

Then there are guys like Frank Williams whose political beliefs are, lets say, rather conservative and who has expressed a preference for British drivers if all other things are equal.

The idea that nationalism doesn't exist in F1 is rather naive to say the least.

[Unhappu]

I wouldn't either but Rubens has history with the Brackley boys, they don't like him, never have and never will.

I have no idea why that is, certainly its not based on his performance on track when even during the bad years he kept Button honest.

Rubens was Honda's choice, they wanted him but the British based management and mid-level guys didn't want him. I thought his days were numbered after Honda left but Ross clearly wanted a safe pair of hands on the second car so he stayed. Now I suspect that even if he wins the championship (hope he does) there's not much Ross can do to keep the team from kicking him out, especially if their engine maker wants another driver in.

Why would the team dislike him? They were all chearing when he got pole yesterday.

I'd imagine aswell that the British based managment were over the moon when (if) they were told they HAD to have Barichello therefore having to drop Sato.

Personally I'm looking forward to seeing Raikkonen back at Mclaren next season but if he doesn't then I'd be pleased that Rubens could stay at Brawn.

[dremucha]

Why would the team dislike him? They were all chearing when he got pole yesterday.

I'd imagine aswell that the British based managment were over the moon when (if) they were told they HAD to have Barichello therefore having to drop Sato.

Personally I'm looking forward to seeing Raikkonen back at Mclaren next season but if he doesn't then I'd be pleased that Rubens could stay at Brawn.

As I said, I've got no idea what the reasons are.

I do know that when Rubens was largely outperforming Jenson during the dark days of 2007 and 2008 the mid-level guys simply dismissed his performance as desperate acts by a guy fighting for his career and not a reflection of his abilities. When Jenson did well of course it was because of his pure talent. As far as the UK side of the team were concerned they were desperate to kick him out even in favour of Senna, who IMO is nowhere near as good as either Rosberg or Rubens.

It also adds some context to Rubens' rants earlier on in the season when he suggested that there was a conspiracy at the team to get Button to win. He probably felt that way because he felt that dislike from certain sections of the team.

[Svatudjw]

With respect - the correct term is Monegasque and there are very few indeed - none amongst the drivers.

You just don't get it, do you? I was referring to Nico Rosberg, who has German and Finnish nationality, but has lived in Monaco all his life, so in reality he is a Monacan.

"Monacan. A person from Monaco, or of Monacan descent"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monacan

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Monacan

http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/monacan.htm