Rosberg retirement puts champion’s seat up for grabs

LONDON: Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement has given champions Mercedes a headache as they seek to fill Formula One’s most desirable drive.

All the big names, apart from world champion Rosberg’s team mate Lewis Hamilton, are signed up for rival outfits who will be reluctant to let them go so late in the day.

Red Bull have Australian Daniel Ricciardo and 19year-old Dutch sensation Max Verstappen, the only drivers other than the Mercedes pair to win this season, tied up in contractual red tape for years to come.

Both are hot properties that former champions Red Bull will not countenance losing.

Four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel and 2007 winner Kimi Raikkonen are contracted to Ferrari while double world champion Fernando Alonso is tied to McLaren for 2017.

Just how watertight Alonso’s contract is, and what escape clauses there may be, remains to be seen however and he has been chafing to get back in a winning car since he left Ferrari for under-performing McLaren.

Formula One’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone told Reuters the Spaniard would be his choice if the driver was able to extricate himself.

“It’s possible I suppose, let’s see. They’ve got new management now at McLaren. Maybe he’s fed up being there and they’re fed up having him,” Ecclestone said.

Alonso was previously Hamilton’s team mate at McLaren in the Briton’s 2007 debut season when they both finished a point behind Raikkonen.

If none of the big shots are available, Mercedes have German reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein under long-term contract and freely available since tail-enders Manor have yet to renew his deal.

There is also 20-year-old French prospect Esteban Ocon who has a Mercedes contract and is due to race at Force India next season.