Vettel to replace Alonso at Ferrari

[AndStilliRise]

Did he not say once that he brought 7/10ths to MCL once?

I remember the forums citing him as 007.

[Derek Smith]

If the information about the requirement to provide at least 20 cars then this gives the teams a bit of a lever.

If history is anything to go by, one team will see it as a way to get one over other teams and cooperate.

[Gazzab]

My money is on RBR cooperating...

[Norfolkit]

Derek Smith said:

If the information about the requirement to provide at least 20 cars then this gives the teams a bit of a lever.

If history is anything to go by, one team will see it as a way to get one over other teams and cooperate.

Well there appear to be only 18 cars running in the next two races so maybe it's not as simple as 20 cars or else.

[VolvoT5]

I wonder if Alonso's dramas have now put him in the category of "too much hassle" in most team managers minds?

[glazbagun]

DiscoColin said:

Europa1 said:

I'm not sure I'd agree that the team now known as Red Bull had "no real success" prior to Red Bull taking ownership - as Stewart they were starting to punch above their weight. As Jaguar I would agree they massively underachieved.

In their first season : 26 retirements. In their second only 20 retirements. A win and 3 other podiums in their third season was credible, but they were a de-facto full factory team (for Ford) and were fielding Herbert and Barrichello. 4th sounds good, but if you analyse the season it wasn't exactly stellar. Or even close. Then they became Jaguar, the competition stepped up and they collapsed. For me they weren't heading anywhere but to disbandment until the energy drink took them over. I think that we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

IIRC from Jackie Stewart's autobiography he told Ford from the start that they wouldn't even have a victory for five years. He also says Stewart F1 ran a profit every year they existed, though it reads like running an F1 team is a quick way to an early grave! He feels where Ford went wrong after buying out Stewart F1 (for more profit, obviously!) was poor and inconsistent team leadership.

Jaguar Racing was headed by Wolfgang Reitzle (who was head of the Premier Automotive Group), then Bobby Rahal, then Lauda who caused Rahal to quit (they also tried to get Newey at this time). Lauda was himself sacked in 03 and the overall team budget cut as Ford began to waver. I never understood the decision to make it Jaguar F1 and not Ford.

I'm not really disagreeing with the argument that it requires shedloads of cash to win a WDC/WCC, but it's certainly not enough by itself.

[suffolk009]

glazbagun said:

I never understood the decision to make it Jaguar F1 and not Ford.

I remember seeing an obscure TV channel documentary about the early days of JagF1. Ford were at the Silverstone GP and facing a sea of red. "I want to see green here," said the Ford exec (or some such words).

Hubris at work.

[gaz1234]

I bet my car aloneo will in a mclaren.

[RichB]

gaz1234 said:

I bet my car aloneo will in a mclaren.

And I'll have one of what you're drinking.

[ajprice]

More crypticness from Fred http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/24184/9541557/cr...

[Vaud]

ajprice said:

More crypticness from Fred http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/24184/9541557/cr...

Wild and crazy idea... what race series could Alonso take part in the US, a key growth market for Ferrari? Could they enter a new series? Might he want to add, say the Indy 500 to his list of wins?

[suffolk009]

I acknowledge that English is Alonso's second language, but he really does talk some top quality st.

[Megaflow]

He seems to reference Ferrari in every statement he makes, very odd for a driver who is, in theory, leaving. I'm edging more and more torwards him staying with Ferrari and switching to a different category.

I dearly hope Ferrari go to LMP1.

[RobGT81]

Megaflow said:

I dearly hope Ferrari go to LMP1.

According to RLM, the project is ready to go but just needs funding clearance. A year in GTE wouldn't surprise me though.

Edited by RobGT81 on Friday 31st October 08:42

[Europa1]

Bonefish Blues said:

Likes Fast Cars said:

JonRB said:

So rather than capping budgets, why not let teams have more of the vast sums of money that are generated by F1?

That would be far too sensible ....

Sorry, is this in some parallel universe where Bernie's not involved?!

Much as I think the Premier League is full of overpaid, underperforming brats who fall over if you look at their hairstyle wrong, they do seem to do a rather better job of distributing the vast wealth it generates among the teams, even to the extent of acknowledging it could end up as an exclusive club of mega teams with the means to participate, so putting in parachute payments for teams that get relegated to help them remain competitive. Maybe F1 should look up from its collective navel and see if (shock horror) it could learn something from outside its own bubble...

[Bonefish Blues]

Europa1 said:

Bonefish Blues said:

Likes Fast Cars said:

JonRB said:

So rather than capping budgets, why not let teams have more of the vast sums of money that are generated by F1?

That would be far too sensible ....

Sorry, is this in some parallel universe where Bernie's not involved?!

Much as I think the Premier League is full of overpaid, underperforming brats who fall over if you look at their hairstyle wrong, they do seem to do a rather better job of distributing the vast wealth it generates among the teams, even to the extent of acknowledging it could end up as an exclusive club of mega teams with the means to participate, so putting in parachute payments for teams that get relegated to help them remain competitive. Maybe F1 should look up from its collective navel and see if (shock horror) it could learn something from outside its own bubble...

FWIW I completely agree.

[Derek Smith]

Europa1 said:

Bonefish Blues said:

Likes Fast Cars said:

JonRB said:

So rather than capping budgets, why not let teams have more of the vast sums of money that are generated by F1?

That would be far too sensible ....

Sorry, is this in some parallel universe where Bernie's not involved?!

Much as I think the Premier League is full of overpaid, underperforming brats who fall over if you look at their hairstyle wrong, they do seem to do a rather better job of distributing the vast wealth it generates among the teams, even to the extent of acknowledging it could end up as an exclusive club of mega teams with the means to participate, so putting in parachute payments for teams that get relegated to help them remain competitive. Maybe F1 should look up from its collective navel and see if (shock horror) it could learn something from outside its own bubble...

It is odd, is it not, that one of the richest sports in the world per participant is struggling for money. Teams are struggling and failing due to the demands of the sport and the lack of income.

When venues are losing £1million when hosting a race and two teams have dropped out within weeks of one another, something is seriously wrong.

[JonRB]

Derek Smith said:

It is odd, is it not, that one of the richest sports in the world per participant is struggling for money. Teams are struggling and failing due to the demands of the sport and the lack of income.

When venues are losing £1million when hosting a race and two teams have dropped out within weeks of one another, something is seriously wrong.

Blackadder:
These are volatile times, Your Highness. The American Revolution lost your father the colonies, the French Revolution murdered brave King Louis, and there are tremendous rumblings in Prussia – although that might have something to do with the sausages. The whole world cries out, "Peace, freedom, and a few less fat bds eating all the pie!"

[Derek Smith]

Alonso to run the 'second' (third I suppose) Ferrari team in F1?

Perhaps a one car team?

There are a couple of teams he could buy and then rebadge eventually. Or immediately if he wants.

[stevesuk]

Sky website article said:

"If that happens people will be very, very excited – as I am"

Does that not rule out McLaren? I doubt "people will be very, very excited" if he simply confirms that he's off to McLaren? It would just be confirming what we've all assumed for months