Quite obvious that Michael is taking a seat that could go to a young talent or someone who would do a better job with it.He s clearly been dominated by his team mate since his comeback.

There ios no guarantee for DiResta tho.If theres anything,this seast should go to Sutil,even with the year off,he will be up to speed next season.

When he was dominiating he was the genius, but now he's not getting the results it's down to the team? Harsh perhaps, but three years into his comeback I don't see Michael producing the level of performance he used to be capable of. That doesn't mean he's an also ran, far from it, but my view has always been that he's not the future for Mercedes.

Its great that he's enjoying his racing, and seems to be far more relaxed than ever before, but indulging Micheal is not the way forward for the team. I'm sure he won't want to walk away from F1 again without another win or two but I suspect he'll have to. Paul di Resta should be in that seat in 2013. He's a Mercedes driver. He will have served his F1 apprenticeship with Force India. He's already proved he has the talent to match and beat the best. He's the future for Mercedes.

Maybe Arrows, but still Mercedes really have to prepare his car in the best possible way. Even if he retires after this season.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_ODcECzxG...l-scott-no.gif

I'm speking about his mechanica issues that he has been plagued with. Australia, China and an issue with his car in qualifying. It's too many issues for a team like Mercedes. The rest of your post I pretty much agree with. Unless he ups his game this year he will probably have to retire. I can't see Mercedes justifying his retainer unless he does for a 4th season in a row.

Di Resta is good but so far he has proven that he can beat Sutil and Hulkenberg and I wouldn't call them "the best". If Merc really want to be taken seriously, they'll go for Hamilton.

I was referring to his 2006 F3 championship win when he beat his team-mate, a certain Sebastian Vettel who turned out to be quite good I believe http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif

I didn't realize that and stand corrected http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif. Di Resta is certainly a very talented driver.

I don't know, how seriously does Hamilton take Mercedes though. And in any case, most of all Mercedes needs a top car if they want to be taken seriously.

Yes, he won also the DTM and while some F1 fans does not respect touring car racing, my impression is that DTM is horribly hard.

DTM is definitely very hard, but the important thing to keep in mind is that it is a completely different form of motorsport, so success (or lack of it) in DTM shows very little about driver's potential for F1.

I don’t think a move by Lewis should be considered unless Mercedes is firmly in the top two in WCC points at the end of the season. Some drivers (and cars) have adapted to the new tire thingy but I don't believe any of them really like it, and shoe has been letting his feelings known. On the track he has had bad luck. Sometimes you make your own luck.
Starting 17th is not the way you win races. He will never dominate again, but personally I think his going or staying is up to the team. M!ke will probably stick around one more season, but personally I don't care if he goes or stays.

Correction: I don’t think a move by Lewis should be considered unless Mercedes is firmly in the top three in WCC points at the end of the season.

Lewis will not move to Merc. Total fantasy. pdr likely.

Absolutely. MS embarrassed himself in DtM, but wasn't the slowest of drivers in F1.

I thought Schumacher was unfairly penalised there, Senna moving around in the braking zone with closing speeds like that is just asking for an accident.

I know, can you imagine Michael ever doing that....?

Without receiving any criticism whatsoever? Nope.

Stoopid is as stoopid does. Reap what you sow. Made your bed.............. etc etc. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...s/laughing.gif

What happened in 2006 in a feeder series means nothing now. Di Resta hasn't yet shown anything special in F1.