The dark side of F1. Minardi «A questionable Mercedes choice »

Felipe Nasr knows it very well. After rescuing the Sauber from a disastrous season (at the detriment of its rival Manor motorized by Mercedes) now risks a layoff by his team in favor of Pascal Wehrlein (driver at Manor).

We must step back till Sunday 12 November, the Brazilian Gp weekend and penultimate world championship event. Esteban Ocon and Pascal Wehrlein’s Manor was in the tenth place in the constructors’ standings thanks to the point achieved in Austria by his German driver. The tail-end out of the top ten is the Sauber.

Under the deluge in Sao Paulo, a race characterized by red flags, safety-car, and by the incredible Max Verstappen’s race, Felipe Nasr drags the Swiss stable till the ninth place, digging Manor out from the top-ten and giving a precious heap of millions of dollars coming from TV revenues to Sauber. In Abu Dhabi, no one of them conquers the point zone and the standings remains unchanged. The loss of income – a life vest for the little teams – brings the Manor into receivership with the great risk of not being able to take take part to the 2017 season.

After placing Esteban Ocon in Force India (motorized by Mercedes as well) at Nico Hulkenber’s place (who has moved to Renault), Toto Wolff would be redirecting Wehrlein (an official announcement still lacks) to Sauber beside the confirmed Erikkson, replacing the Brazilian driver Nasr.

The name of the German young driver had been put near Mercedes many times to substitute Nico Rosberg beside Lewis Hamilton, where, instead, it is awaited the Finnish Bottas, who should leave his place at williams for the returning Felipe Massa beside the neo 18-year-old Lance stroll.

A Mercedes choice that makes us discuss, since it has de facto contributed to the failure of his satellite team.