Alonso to leave Ferrari?
Discussion
RYH64E said:
I can't see Alonso moving to McLaren. McLaren have a difficult few years ahead imo, a disastrous 2013 campaign putting them well behind the competition, customer Mercedes engines next season and the unknown prospect of Honda engines for 2015. Alonso isn't at the right stage of his career to want to spend the next 3 or 4 years helping to rebuild McLaren, imo.
McLaren have been using customer Mercedes engines since 2010. It's less of a stigma that it once was because there are rules in place state that the customer engines have to be the same spec as the works engines. Next year McLaren, Force India and Williams will have the same spec engine that the works Mercedes team run. The only awkward thing is that as McLaren are changing to Honda engines in 2015, they may be more restricted in what they are allowed to know about the engine.Honda is the bigger concern though IMO. Lots of people seem to be raving about Honda's return, but am I the only one that remembers their 2007/2008 engine (not to mention car) as being an overweight, underpowered piece of s
t?
For no reason other than a hunch, I think Mclaren will be much stronger next year.
They have hired some very good people for next season. And they are determined to make amends for the cock-up of a car they started the season with.
Given the clean slate next season represents, with everything changing, I would not rule them out from championship contenders. They have the depth and skills inside the team from an engineering perspective - maybe, just maybe, they could get their act together…
If this could happen with Alonso on board, even better.
They have hired some very good people for next season. And they are determined to make amends for the cock-up of a car they started the season with.
Given the clean slate next season represents, with everything changing, I would not rule them out from championship contenders. They have the depth and skills inside the team from an engineering perspective - maybe, just maybe, they could get their act together…
If this could happen with Alonso on board, even better.
tuffer said:
I would not be surprised if Button is forced out and Alonso goes to Mclaren.
Button could swap with Alonso? I think Jenson could do with a new challenge as he is too comfortable at Mclaren........ plus his ego isn't as huge as Alonso's so I think he would be a fine match with Kimi. IF Alonso goes to Mclaren for 2014 (really want it to happen, but doubt it), it'll most likely be Hulkenberg in at Ferrari, or at a push Perez.
I think Massa performances are unreliable...he's fast at the beginning and at the very end of the season (when his contract comes under fire). He should drive like he did yesterday all year round.
I think Massa performances are unreliable...he's fast at the beginning and at the very end of the season (when his contract comes under fire). He should drive like he did yesterday all year round.
RYH64E said:
I would expect next year's Mercedes engine to be designed around the requirements of the Mercedes car, and McLaren will have to use whatever they're given.
The engine regs are quite specific, the intent being to limit innovation and power differences. The main difference with be in the ancillaries, such as Kers, or whatever it will be called.The engines supplied to customers must be identical to those in the supplying team.
The packaging is the major advantage to having a bespoke engine. Where the bits and pieces fit can be specific to a chassis/aero design.
Derek Smith said:
The packaging is the major advantage to having a bespoke engine. Where the bits and pieces fit can be specific to a chassis/aero design.
Isn't that what I said? The Mercedes engines will be designed around the requirements (packaging if you will) of next year's Mercedes car, not the McLaren.RYH64E said:
Isn't that what I said? The Mercedes engines will be designed around the requirements (packaging if you will) of next year's Mercedes car, not the McLaren.
I would have absolutely no doubt that McLaren have already got hold of at the very least a mocked up Mercedes 2014 engine to build the 2014 car around.I may be slightly naive here, but I don't think it's in Merc's interests to sell customer teams 'duff' engines or hinder teams using those engines.
LiamM45 said:
I may be slightly naive here, but I don't think it's in Merc's interests to sell customer teams 'duff' engines or hinder teams using those engines.
Not naive at all. It's an essential element for the design of the car. Which is why Brawn performed a miracle with the BGP01.Button isn't interested in a "new challenge". He really likes it at McLaren and they like him. If he leaves the team, which could happen if Alonso returns there, he will retire and do his triathlons.
rubystone said:
Button isn't interested in a "new challenge". He really likes it at McLaren and they like him. If he leaves the team, which could happen if Alonso returns there, he will retire and do his triathlons.
He's also expressed an interest in driving for Ferrari. If Alonso joins McLaren then I wouldn't rule out JB moving t'other way, assuming that Ferrari would like to have him on board. Kaiser_Wull said:
He's also expressed an interest in driving for Ferrari. If Alonso joins McLaren then I wouldn't rule out JB moving t'other way, assuming that Ferrari would like to have him on board.
Everyone has expressed an interest in driving for Ferrari, especially when their current team was 2 days away from the expiry of an option on their services for the next year 
Chrisgr31 said:
There is of course a suggestion that the Mercedes F1 team are under pressure to up their came or the Board will pull the rug away. What affect does this possibility have on deliberations?
To be fair, there is always a suggestion that Merc board might pull the rug from the team. The German set-up in business differs from that in the UK. They have union reps on the boards so if Merc are laying off workers, or limiting pay, they might wonder what return Merc are getting for the investment.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff