Formula 1's Latest Rumours, Talk: Nico Rosberg's Future, Marcus Ericsson, More
Nico Rosberg has competed for Mercedes ever since the German manufacturer returned to the Formula One grid at the beginning of 2010.
But loyalty, as he may find out in the coming months, counts for very little in this sport.
Rosberg has played an instrumental role in Mercedes' rise to prominence in recent seasons, yet team boss Toto Wolff has challenged the German to earn a new contract by proving he can work alongside his team-mate, three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, in 2016 and beyond.
Rosberg, then, will be under a great deal of scrutiny in the first half of next season, and he may want to seek the advice of Marcus Ericsson, who knows all about driving under pressure.
After an unconvincing debut season in 2014, the Swede was beaten by his rookie team-mate Felipe Nasr in 2015, and Ericsson has revealed that his desperation to impress Sauber resulted in his inconsistent performances.
Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone believes Mercedes' current dominant streak may soon come back to haunt them, suggesting he is unsure how the Silver Arrows will react when the victories dry up.
All good things must come to an end, though, and after being dumped by Toro Rosso after three seasons at the end of 2014, Jean-Eric Vergne missed out on a chance to rejoin the grid with the brand-new Haas team in 2016.
The Frenchman, currently competing in the all-electric Formula E series, respects the American outfit's decision and has insisted his F1 career may not be over yet.
Also fighting for her F1 future is Carmen Jorda, who has spoken of her chances of remaining with Renault next season.
Here's this week's roundup.
Mercedes Set to Make Nico Rosberg Wait for New Contract
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Nico Rosberg will have to earn a new contract with Mercedes after team boss Toto Wolff claimed the two-time constructors' champions will not rush into a decision.
Having joined the team from Williams at the beginning of 2010, Rosberg is the longest-serving driver at Mercedes, claiming 22 pole positions and 14 victories in 115 grand prix appearances for the Silver Arrows.
The contract extension Rosberg signed in mid-2014 is due to expire at the end of the 2016 season, and although the 30-year-old has played a major role in Mercedes' success over the last two years, Wolff has suggested the team will bide their time when it comes to offering a new deal.
Wolff, a member of Williams driver Valtteri Bottas' management team, recently told Motorsport.com's Jonathan Noble that Mercedes will consider changing their driver lineup if Rosberg and three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton are unable to establish a healthy atmosphere within the team.
But the Austrian has suggested he will not commit to Rosberg until he is satisfied that his two drivers can work together effectively and efficiently, telling Autosport's Ian Parkes:
"The line-up is a great line-up.
Both of them are a major part of the team and responsible for getting the team to where we are today.
But it's early days to discuss that [Rosberg's contract]. I want to see how the season pans out.
There are areas we want to develop altogether as a team, and let's see how that goes.
"
Hamilton entered the final year of his previous contract at the beginning of 2015, but an extension was signed and sealed in time for May's Monaco Grand Prix, the sixth round of the season.
But Wolff, per the same source, has cast doubt on the prospect of Rosberg's future being resolved as quickly.
Marcus Ericsson Admits Stress Resulted in Inconsistent 2015
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Marcus Ericsson has admitted he was too anxious to impress at Sauber in the early stages of 2015, with a midseason change in mindset resulting in his upturn in form.
After an anonymous rookie campaign at the new-defunct Caterham team in 2014, Ericsson switched to Sauber this year but was immediately upstaged by rookie team-mate Felipe Nasr, who finished fifth in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Ericsson scored his first F1 points in that race and, after retiring due to an unforced error in Malaysia, added to his tally at the third round in China, but he then endured a run of six races without a point as the team lost out in the development race.
The Swede ultimately finished 18th in the drivers' standings—behind the McLaren-Honda pair of Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso—having only scored nine of Sauber's 36 points.
Ericsson, though, has revealed that his unconvincing, error-ridden performances were a direct result of his desperation to prove his worth to Sauber, telling Autosport's Lawrence Barretto:
"I came off a difficult year with Caterham where I was usually at the back and even though I don't want to admit it, it makes your confidence go down.
When you spend the whole year at the back, it's quite tough, and I think coming to Sauber was a big change and a big step up for me.
In the beginning, every time I was on track I was keen to show what I can do and I think I overdid it.
I pushed too hard, I was overdriving, getting a bit stressed.
If I wasn't in front of my team-mate I was stressed about that and trying even harder next time out. It was like a snowball effect.
"
As Nasr struggled with braking problems, Ericsson recovered to score points in three consecutive races between the Hungarian and Italian grands prix.
And the 25-year-old, per the same source, has admitted that came after he made a conscious decision to "look at the big picture," explaining his previous mentality "wasn't the right one."
In taking a step-by-step approach to race weekends and concentrating on his own progress rather than that of Nasr, Ericsson explained he "suddenly" felt "a lot calmer."
Bernie Ecclestone Fears Mercedes Are 'Running a Risk'
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F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone believes Mercedes are struggling to gather a major fanbase, despite their astronomical success over the last two seasons, admitting he will fear for the team when their dominant spell comes to an end.
Since the V6 turbo regulations were introduced at the beginning of 2014, Mercedes have won 32 of a possible 36 races, with the team claiming two consecutive constructors' championships and Lewis Hamilton sealing his third drivers' title in 2015.
Their level of dominance, however, has come at a cost, with some claiming the sight of Hamilton and Nico Rosberg disappearing into the distance has become tiresome.
After their run of four consecutive world championships with Sebastian Vettel came to an end in 2014, Red Bull Racing reacted angrily and issued multiple quit threats throughout 2015.
And Ecclestone fears Mercedes, without the majesty and affection of teams such as Ferrari and McLaren, may respond in a similar fashion when they find grand prix wins harder to come by, per the Mirror's Byron Young:
"People like winners. That’s obvious. That’s why teams attract support.
But Ferrari have an incredible fan base, even when they lose. You don’t find that with Mercedes.
If they begin to lose, then you’ll see what happens.
Mercedes are not really newcomers; they were always there in one guise or another. That’s why I support them.
I think Mercedes are running a risk: the public thinks that, with the money they spend, they should be winning.
They don’t get any genuine sympathy. And you need that sympathy. People need to feel a bit sorry for a team.
If Mercedes stop winning, I don’t think that many people will feel any sympathy for them.
"
In April 2014, Mercedes' Dr. Thomas Weber told BBC Sport's Andrew Benson that Mercedes would have quit F1 if the V6 power units were not introduced, with non-executive chairman Niki Lauda later telling Motorsport.com that the team would "be gone" if the previous V8 engines returned.
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Jean-Eric Vergne Accepts Haas 2016 Snub
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Former Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne has no hard feelings after being overlooked for a seat at the brand-new Haas team in 2016.
Upon his departure from Toro Rosso at the end of 2014, Vergne joined Ferrari in a development-driver role, with Haas' technical partnership with the Prancing Horse making him an automatic candidate for the American outfit.
The Frenchman, however, ultimately missed out on a return to the grid after Haas signed another Ferrari-affiliated driver, Esteban Gutierrez, to partner Romain Grosjean for next season.
Vergne has combined his Ferrari role with a full-time seat at DS Virgin Racing in the Formula E championship having made his debut in the all-electric series just weeks after his final appearance for Toro Rosso at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
While he is disappointed to be prevented from a return to the pinnacle of motorsport, Vergne has not yet given up hope on returning to F1 in the future, telling Motorsport.com's Jamie Klein:
"Obviously as a racing driver you want to be racing at the top, and F1 is where the top is, but I respect the decision.
[Haas] are doing things very professionally and I hope the best for them. I'm sure they can have a good car and I wish the best for the two drivers.
Things happen for a reason and hopefully something good will happen, you never know.
My focus is on Ferrari, and wherever my position is I will give my best to them and help them in any way I can, so we will see in the future.
"
Per the same source, Vergne revealed his pride in representing a French manufacturer in Formula E is "something important to me" and a seat with a French team in F1 may be a long-term target.
Lotus chief executive Matthew Carter, as reported by Reuters' Alan Baldwin, recently denied suggestions that Renault—having completed their takeover of the team—could yet change their driver lineup of Pastor Maldonado and Jolyon Palmer prior to the start of 2016, although it shouldn't be ruled out.
Carmen Jorda Hopes to Stay at Renault in 2016
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Lotus development driver Carmen Jorda is eager to remain with the team ahead of Renault's return to the Formula One grid in 2016.
Despite an underwhelming record in the junior categories, Jorda was among the five drivers contracted to Lotus in the 2015 season, when she attended several grands prix and experienced the Enstone-based outfit's simulator.
Renault's recent takeover of Lotus has raised question marks over the future of Jorda, whose signing was widely dismissed as a publicity stunt, with chief executive Carlos Ghosn telling Le Figaro (h/t Motorsport.com) that the French manufacturer will reveal plans regarding team personnel, sponsors and drivers in January.
And Jorda is hoping to feature in those plans, with the 27-year-old claiming she has gained much experience with Lotus in 2015, telling the team's official website:
"It was a really good year for me and an amazing experience in which I learnt a lot from everyone here at Enstone. The team and I have been through a lot of exciting moments, and some slightly more challenging. I think there was a good balance through the year though!
The highlight for me was the beginning of the year. Coming into a Formula 1 team, seeing Enstone, being welcomed in and discovering this incredible family spirit that they have here. It’s amazing as I haven’t had experiences like that in the past so I was hugely grateful.
"
When asked about her plans for next season, she added: "Hopefully I’ll have good news to announce with the team and I'm excited to see what the future holds and for something new. We’re all hoping for a good end the year after a challenging year."
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