Mercedes still haven't announced who will replace Nico Rosberg... so why has it taken so long to decide who will join Lewis Hamilton and who is favourite?
- Nico Rosberg shocked the world with his decision to quit Formula One
- Sportsmail looks at who could replace him in the Mercedes driving seat
- Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas and Pascal Wehrlein have all been linked
- Bottas remains the favourite to partner Lewis Hamilton for 2017 season
Nico Rosberg shocked the world of sport this month when he announced his retirement from Formula One with immediate effect.
Just five days after winning the world title, the 31-year-old revealed he had 'climbed his mountain' and was on the peak, with nothing further to race for.
Mercedes are yet to name his replacement and may wait until the end of January before confirming their new driver. Here, Sportsmail tackles the big subject...
Nico Rosberg shocked F1 when he decided to retire five days after being crowned champion
It remains to be seen who will fill the German's boots to team up with Lewis Hamilton for 2017
Why did Nico Rosberg retire?
It wasn't expected, there were no previous hints, the decision came completely out of the blue. Within the first few words of Rosberg's lengthy statement, an immediate clarification is presented.
It has been his dream to win the Championship, and with it secured what else is there to achieve? The German driver feels as though he has reached the pinnacle, so why carry on?
Last season put an immense pressure on his family. Rosberg travelled around the world, leaving his wife and his young daughter at home, and he feels it is time to devote himself to them.
Understandable, too, after a gruelling 10 years in the sport. This season in particular, he was in a brutal battle with Lewis Hamilton, one that he describes as 'so damn tough'. After giving everything to beat the Brit this time, you can see why he wouldn't be keen on the pressure of another fight at the top.
Rosberg celebrates after winning his world title, which came five days before his retirement
So, who's the favourite to replace him?
The likes of Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas and Pascal Wehrlein have all been linked with the drive. Alonso has since ruled out a move, insisting he wants to focus his attention on helping McLaren return to their glory days.
Wehrlein, who has just completed his rookie season for Manor - Mercedes' sister team - remains a possibility. He's certainly one for the future and although it would be a natural progression for the 22-year-old German, it could perhaps be a step too far at this stage of his fledgling career.
The favourite to replace Rosberg is Bottas, currently on the books of Williams. The Silver Arrows have had one offer for 27-year-old turned down as they search for a replacement for the world champion.
Williams driver Valtteri Bottas (right), pictured with Rosberg, is tipped to be his successor
Pascal Wehrlein (centre), pictured with Hamilton and Rosberg last year, is the other name in the frame to replace the world champion
Williams are reluctant to allow the Finn to switch teams unless they are able to replace him with an experienced driver. And Felipe Massa has reportedly agreed to come out of retirement to rejoin Williams next season, if Bottas departs.
Massa announced his retirement in September and brought the curtain down on his 14 years in Formula One at the end of the 2016 campaign, but now seems set for a u-turn.
And should his surprise return be confirmed, you'd expect Mercedes to push ahead with their move for Bottas. However if that move doesn't materialise, the expectation is that Wehrlein will make the step up.
The favourite to replace world champion Rosberg is Bottas, currently on the books of Williams
Has anyone else been linked with the drive?
Who wouldn't want to drive for Mercedes? The dominant team have been linked to most of the grid including Sebastian Vettel. The German driver, however, didn't take long to rule a move out and remains committed to Ferrari.
Sebastian Vettel was linked to Mercedes but German driver committed his future to Ferrari
Why has it taken so long for Mercedes to decide?
Mercedes may wait until the end of January before announcing the German driver's replacement, with non-executive Niki Lauda admitting the team are yet to make a decision on who will take the world champion's seat.
'We are still making up our minds,' he told Austrian television channel ServusTV.
'That is a huge discussion, really. It can take until the end of January until we know which route we are going to take.
'We had hoped for a faster solution, but the discussions prove to be difficult. There are two scenarios - we take a young gun like Wehrlein who could turn out to be a (Max) Verstappen, or he couldn't. Or we take an experienced guy.'
It seems Bottas is Mercedes' No 1 target but they are unable to agree a deal until Williams can find a replacement for the Finn. As mentioned above, Brazilian icon Massa holds the key; and his return will pave the way for Bottas.
Niki Lauda (right) said Mercedes are yet to decide on who will take the world champion's seat
Felipe Massa has agreed to come out of retirement to take up mantle at Williams if needed
What does Rosberg's retirement mean for Lewis Hamilton?
Well, you could be forgiven for assuming that Rosberg's retirement leaves Hamilton with a clear run at next season's drivers' championship. It is yet to be seen whether that will be the case.
Indeed, it depends on which driver takes the champion's seat and whether they are capable of recreating the intense battle Rosberg had with Hamilton last season.
Clearly, though, if a driver moves up from their constructor to Mercedes, they will inevitably give themselves a better shot at the title.
As it stands though, a bet on Hamilton to win next season's drivers' championship won't return you an awful lot of money.
Three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is still without a partner for next season
Has Hamilton said anything about a future team-mate?
Hamilton has said Mercedes must consult him on who should replace Rosberg next season but warned them against signing a big name like Alonso.
Speaking to Channel 4, he said: 'Basically, once they've dwindled it down to five drivers, or whatever it is, the shortlist, contractually they have to discuss with me.
'They can put any driver they want – bring Sebastian [Vettel], Fernando [Alonso], bring whoever you really want.
'I drove against Fernando in my first year [at McLaren in 2007] and beat him, so that's not a worry for me. I am happy to drive against any of them. But in terms of what is best for the team, probably not the best ideas.'
Hamilton has said Mercedes must consult him on who should replace Rosberg next season
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