Niki Lauda: “No one at Mercedes imagined this”

The retirement of Nico Rosberg redistributes the cards for the 2017 season. Indeed, the team Mercedes AMG F1 must find a replacement for the world champion. If no name has yet been put forward by the star brand, Niki Lauda, ​​non-executive president of the team, indicated that the training was logically in high demand.

“Almost half the grid, and maybe more, indicates the Austrian in the Gazzetta dello Sport. I take calls all the time. » Still not confirmed for the next campaign, Pascal Wehrlein, Mercedes driver, appears as a possibility to support Lewis Hamilton in 2017.

Niki Lauda also did not hide his surprise at Nico Rosberg's announcement. The old pilot Ferrari clarified that he did not believe the German when the newly retired told him his decision.

“I took it badly, says Lauda. I did not expect that. No one at Mercedes could imagine him saying “Stop”. At first, I didn't believe him. I said to him: “Nico, is this a joke? » But he told me very seriously that no. Amazing. »