MERCEDES ANNOUNCES REPLACEMENT FOR ROSBERG

World champion Mercedes has made the announcement everyone has been waiting for in the Formula One arena - the new driver to partner Hamilton in 2017 - and it is 27year-old Finnish, Valtteri Bottas.

After four seasons of solid performances with Williams, he has been rewarded with every driver's dream - a seat with the best team in Formula 1.

Bottas has signed a one-year deal with the option for more with the German team, while  retired world-champion Rosberg moves into an ambassadorial role.

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Mercedes' young driver Pascal Wehrlein, passed over in favour of Bottas, joins the Swiss Sauber team for the season. Also coming in to replace Bottas in Williams is Brazilian Felipe Massa, who rescinded on his earlier decision to retire after the end of last season.

Rosberg's shock retirement, announced just five days after he wrapped up his maiden world title, was a "challenging situation for the team to handle", according to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

"Sometimes in life, unexpected circumstances provide interesting opportunities," he added. "Nico's decision in December was a big surprise.
"But weathering the storm makes you more resilient and we see this as another opportunity for the team to grow.

"I think Valtteri fits very well in our team, as a driver he's very fast, and he has also the heart in the right place.
"He shares our values and passion, and he's modest and humble and he's hard wworkingorking."

With his talent and calm disposition - which can be likened to Rosberg - and barring a remarkable slip in form for Mercedes, Bottas will morph from being an occasional podium visitor to a race-winner and possibly title contender this year.

MERCEDES READY TO LAUNCH CAR FOR 2017 SEASON

Current champion Mercedes will launch the 2017 car they which to defend their Formula 1 titles at their home ground Silverstone on Thursday, February 23.

The triple champions will unveil the F1 W08 and take to the British GP track for its very first laps on the same day as a part of an initial pre-testing shakedown and filming day. This is happening just a day before rivals Ferrari  take the covers off their new car at their private Fiorano test circuit in Italy and complete initial shakedown laps before winter testing begins on February 27 in Barcelona.

The Silverstone event will also involve a fan meet-and-greet with Lewis Hamilton and his yet to be announced new team mate, with the Silver Arrows offering a few lucky supporters the chance to join them for the launch.

The unveiling of the new Mercedes W08 will invariably be one of the most eagerly-anticipated of 2017's 'launch season', particularly as it will be the first chance for rivals to catch a glimpse of the world champions' interpretation of the sport's new aero rules.

In a drive for faster and more aggressive-looking cars, 2017's challengers will feature wider front wings, shorter rear wings and overall increases in downforce.

It promises to be a whole lot of fun and excitement this season as Red Bull are expected to mount a more sustained challenge to Mercedes' recent dominance of F1 in 2017, while Ferrari are also eyeing significant strides after they failed to win a single race throughout the 2016 season.

Michael Schumacher: The world awaits the Legend

Yesterday marks the 48th birthday of racing legend and all-time Formula One record holder Michael Schumacher. The German who won 7 World titles as well as 91 Grand prix wins and 155 podium finishes, with teams such as Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes is still in recovery.

Three years have now passed since
Schumacher was left fighting for his life following an accident sustained while skiing in the French Alps with his son. He was airlifted to a hospital and placed in a medically induced coma, having suffered a traumatic brain injury.

He was in the coma for six months before he left the hospital in Grenoble for further rehabilitation at the University Hospital (CHUV) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In September 2014, Schumacher was relocated to his family home on the shores of Lake Geneva where he continues to receive medical treatment and rehabilitation privately.

Official updates on the F1 legend has been been very scarce in the following months and years, though latest reports have it that his medical bill within these years has reached approximately $25million.

The first pictures of Schumacher since the accident were touted around European media outlets for £1million earlier this month, with police launching an investigation in to how the photographs were taken from the legend's home.

Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's manager, said before Christmas that there are no plans to release a statement with an update on his current plight.

"Michael's health is not a public issue, and so we will continue to make no comment in that regard," Kehm said.

"We have to protect his intimate sphere. Legally seen and in the longer term, every statement related to his health would diminish the extent of his intimate sphere."

His fans across the globe are all hoping and praying to see him back on his feet, just as his family keeps caring for the legend of the race circuit.

Happy Birthday Schumi!
Get well soon!