Alonso's going to Ferrari

[Marki]

stew-S160 said:

how about alonso to williams? that would soon sort him out. i cant see frank or patrick giving him the chance to run his mouth or anything.

I would have thought Ron would be a harder diciplinarian that Frank

[AJS-]

Actually the more I think of it, the more Alonso going to BMW makes sense.
The team has consistently been the best of the rest this season by a healthy margin, they've got corporate backing and Alonso could bring more frmo Santander, and they've got a major manufacturer that wants results. They stand to gain a lot as a team from having a double world champion on board, and Alonso can regain some of his damaged credibility by giving them a good result. They've also got in Kubica a young driver who's proven himself upto the job this year and ready for a top drive, and who would be more than happy to have an equal pairing with Hamilton at McLaren.

I reckon the loosely worded Massa contract owes more to a possbile Schumacher comeback at some point. Not sure when/how, but most of the multiple champions of the past have done it at some point so why not? He's still very much a Ferrari man, and it would be silly not to leave themselves wiggle room to get him back in at some point.

[stew-S160]

Marki said:

stew-S160 said:

how about alonso to williams? that would soon sort him out. i cant see frank or patrick giving him the chance to run his mouth or anything.

I would have thought Ron would be a harder diciplinarian that Frank

i think the opposite. i think frank and patricks lack of tolerance would kick FA into shape.

[rubystone]

skinny said:

the journalist that told me about the alonso vs mclaren contracts reckons that todt signed massa for the next few years as a fcuk you to the rest of ferrari cos he knows he's out of the team soon. think there was something to do with nicholas todt too. however, i'm not sure if the contract says in what capacity massa was to drive for ferrari, or if it said explicitly the scuderia ferrari team, or one of their customer teams. so there is a very small chance alonso could be in red overalls next year? he's denied the renault rumours... but then i guess he would...

I think there may be a chance that Alonso has signed only a one year deal with Renault (OK, so he hasn't signed a Renault contract yet, but he has taken the first step.....). Like you I heard a rumour that Todt did indeed sign Massa for those reasons, but would Todt really have the power to approve this without having to get Montezemolo on-side?

But who says that it'll be Raikkonen and Alonso in 2009?....

I'm interested in where Todt might go. Another rumour has him moving to Toyota to sort them out....

[AKA8]

AJS- said:

Actually the more I think of it, the more Alonso going to BMW makes sense.
The team has consistently been the best of the rest this season by a healthy margin, they've got corporate backing and Alonso could bring more frmo Santander, and they've got a major manufacturer that wants results. They stand to gain a lot as a team from having a double world champion on board, and Alonso can regain some of his damaged credibility by giving them a good result. They've also got in Kubica a young driver who's proven himself upto the job this year and ready for a top drive, and who would be more than happy to have an equal pairing with Hamilton at McLaren.

I reckon the loosely worded Massa contract owes more to a possbile Schumacher comeback at some point. Not sure when/how, but most of the multiple champions of the past have done it at some point so why not? He's still very much a Ferrari man, and it would be silly not to leave themselves wiggle room to get him back in at some point.

I suspect that Santander are locked into McLaren for another season contingent on Alonso staying there. It's difficult to imagine their sponsoring McLaren without him.

Reading the Spanish press, they seem to think that if he goes, it will be to Williams, which makes a lot of sense in theory but I can't imagine a great relationship between Rosberg and Alonso.

Isn't BMW signed up to Heidfeld and Kubica? I would be amazed if either got demoted. It's got to be Renault, Toyota or Williams. Alonso has publicly declared though that Flavio (he didn't mention anyone else mind) has not contacted him.

[AJS-]

Marki said:

stew-S160 said:

how about alonso to williams? that would soon sort him out. i cant see frank or patrick giving him the chance to run his mouth or anything.

I would have thought Ron would be a harder diciplinarian that Frank

I think Williams learned their lesson about primadonna drivers with Piquet/Mansell. They gave Mansell one last crack at the title, and they took on Senna (what team wouldn't?) But since then they've sacked anyone who won a championship, and wouldn't stand for his demands at being number 1.

Only happen if Williams get a major manufacturer on board. Not that Toyota aren't major but so long as they run their own team they won't pay roll Alonso at Williams. Supposing Alonso could get Ford or someone interested it could happen, but that's not going to give him a competitive car between now and next March.

[Marki]

AJS- said:

Marki said:

stew-S160 said:

how about alonso to williams? that would soon sort him out. i cant see frank or patrick giving him the chance to run his mouth or anything.

I would have thought Ron would be a harder diciplinarian that Frank

But since then they've sacked anyone who won a championship, and wouldn't stand for his demands at being number 1.

I thought the sacking of sucessful drivers was more a would not pay the going rate type thing , they are know as being poor payers

[5.0%]

flemke said:

Being interviewed before the race about how Hamilton had done this year, he suggested that many GP2 drivers would have done as well.

Sounds about right, he is on the inside and knows far more than any of us. Obviously the Hamilton groupies don't like to hear it.

[Ahonen]

I can't see the straight-talking Patrick Head (or Sir Frank) putting up with Alonso's demands, foot stamping and hissy fits. They are very happy with young Rosberg, so suddenly demoting him to the role of dutiful number 2 would be pretty unlikely.

Having said the above, Toyota might want to pay a fortune to get him and, as they must realise their own team is no match for Williams, they may want to place him in the best Toyota-powered option.

I get the strong impression that Alonso isn't a man in the Rossi/Schumacher mould though - he doesn't seem the type to go into a slightly off the pace team and bring them to the front.

Renault remains the best option, I think, until the Ferrari seat becomes available. He and Heikki can do a house swap.

[nioks]

AKA8 said:

AJS- said:

Actually the more I think of it, the more Alonso going to BMW makes sense.
The team has consistently been the best of the rest this season by a healthy margin, they've got corporate backing and Alonso could bring more frmo Santander, and they've got a major manufacturer that wants results. They stand to gain a lot as a team from having a double world champion on board, and Alonso can regain some of his damaged credibility by giving them a good result. They've also got in Kubica a young driver who's proven himself upto the job this year and ready for a top drive, and who would be more than happy to have an equal pairing with Hamilton at McLaren.

I reckon the loosely worded Massa contract owes more to a possbile Schumacher comeback at some point. Not sure when/how, but most of the multiple champions of the past have done it at some point so why not? He's still very much a Ferrari man, and it would be silly not to leave themselves wiggle room to get him back in at some point.

Isn't BMW signed up to Heidfeld and Kubica? I would be amazed if either got demoted. It's got to be Renault, Toyota or Williams. Alonso has publicly declared though that Flavio (he didn't mention anyone else mind) has not contacted him.

Heidfeld came through the McLaren school of motoring, so a straight swop with Alonso would make quite a bit of sense. Would keep Merc happy too.

But don't forget the old addage about keeping your enemies closer...

With the amount of shite that Alonso's been throwing around, it seems that he really is trying quite hard to get himself ejected from the team. But if you were McLaren, would you really want to hand any of your rivals such a perceived advantage? There doesn't appear to be that many drivers on the market with a similar level of talent to replace him with.

Ralf excluded of course....

[AKA8]

Ahonen said:

I can't see the straight-talking Patrick Head (or Sir Frank) putting up with Alonso's demands, foot stamping and hissy fits. They are very happy with young Rosberg, so suddenly demoting him to the role of dutiful number 2 would be pretty unlikely.

Having said the above, Toyota might want to pay a fortune to get him and, as they must realise their own team is no match for Williams, they may want to place him in the best Toyota-powered option.

I get the strong impression that Alonso isn't a man in the Rossi/Schumacher mould though - he doesn't seem the type to go into a slightly off the pace team and bring them to the front.

Renault remains the best option, I think, until the Ferrari seat becomes available. He and Heikki can do a house swap.

Do you really believe that Schumacher went to Ferrari to build it up and it wasn't a fat pay check that made his mind up? Not that I am cynical of this after his ditching jordan to go to Benetton after a couple of races.....

I agree with you on the rest. Montoya didn't settle in at Williams, and I can't imagine Alonso would get on with them either.

[Conian]

I said it before, and I'll say it again, there aint no way... no way... that Ferrari want Alonso. The drivers they have now is a perfect combination.

Kimi is the guy to win, Massa is the guy to come in 2nd, not by team orders, just by talent dictating their position. But if Kimi were to get injured, then Massa is the guy to mix it up front.

It's a shame for Massa, he's done an amazing job and I'd really like to see him take a title.

[5.0%]

Ahonen said:

I get the strong impression that Alonso isn't a man in the Rossi/Schumacher mould though - he doesn't seem the type to go into a slightly off the pace team and bring them to the front.

This is total complete and uninformed rubbish.

He brought Renault, a middle order team, to the front and won the WDC twice.
Then he moved to McLaren who were struggling behind Ferrari and Renault and he brought them to the front.

In fact Alonso is just about the only current F1 driver who can lift a team in this way. Proven fact.

[mikey_p]

What would be great (in a "I'd love to see the Spantard humiliated again" kind of way) is if Renault and McLaren basically do a straight swap HK to McLaren who I think could do well, and seems a nice bloke, and Alfonso to Renault. Then Piquet junior takes Fisi's seat. Piquet jnr then goes on to beat Alfonso throughout the season. However I fear that may actually cause him to have a nervous breakdown.

[Ahonen]

5pc said:

flemke said:

Being interviewed before the race about how Hamilton had done this year, he suggested that many GP2 drivers would have done as well.

Sounds about right, he is on the inside and knows far more than any of us. Obviously the Hamilton groupies don't like to hear it.

Nope, it was just a big case of sour grapes.

[Ahonen]

5pc said:

Ahonen said:

I get the strong impression that Alonso isn't a man in the Rossi/Schumacher mould though - he doesn't seem the type to go into a slightly off the pace team and bring them to the front.

This is total complete and uninformed rubbish.

He brought Renault, a middle order team, to the front and won the WDC twice.
Then he moved to McLaren who were struggling behind Ferrari and Renault and he brought them to the front.

In fact Alonso is just about the only current F1 driver who can lift a team in this way. Proven fact.

You're a funny guy, Brucie, though you are very angry. I think you're fun; can we keep you?

However I won't get into an argument with you because you're not worth my time. Let's just disagree.

Edited by Ahonen on Tuesday 23 October 10:11

[AKA8]

Ahonen said:

5pc said:

Ahonen said:

I get the strong impression that Alonso isn't a man in the Rossi/Schumacher mould though - he doesn't seem the type to go into a slightly off the pace team and bring them to the front.

This is total complete and uninformed rubbish.

He brought Renault, a middle order team, to the front and won the WDC twice.
Then he moved to McLaren who were struggling behind Ferrari and Renault and he brought them to the front.

In fact Alonso is just about the only current F1 driver who can lift a team in this way. Proven fact.

You're a funny guy, Brucie, though you are very angry. I think you're fun; can we keep you?

However I won't get into an argument with you because you're not worth my time. Let's just disagree.

Edited by Ahonen on Tuesday 23 October 10:11

Is 5% a relation of Loneranger?

[RobbieMeister]

WRT Piquet Jnrs comments.

I think the question is more the cause of the problem.

I’ve seen the “Isn’t Lewis great” line put to many (current(F1)) drivers and they all seem to choke on the answer. Some are more skilful than others.

These guys are there for themselves and ITV’s sycophantic leg-humpers do nothing to further the drivers cause or enhance the viewers understanding of what is going on by asking for platitudes for one of their rivals.

I think a better and more genuine answer from Piquet Jnr. might have been “Ask me something about me or off!”

[JonRB]

Civpilot said:

Totally agree with Flemke, in fact I beleive my comment towards Jnr at the time was "oh off you jealous tt"

Tried to steer well clear of the Jesus bandwagon this year as I have been following his progress for a few years already but Jnr's comments really did smack of bitterness.

Indeed. I thought the same too.

But, credit to him he did take off his sunglasses for the camera (as someone has already pointed out).

But there did seem to be a certain amount of sour grapes "for sure".

[JonRB]

RobbieMeister said:

WRT Piquet Jnrs comments.

I think the question is more the cause of the problem.

I’ve seen the “Isn’t Lewis great” line put to many (current(F1)) drivers and they all seem to choke on the answer. Some are more skilful than others.

These guys are there for themselves and ITV’s sycophantic leg-humpers do nothing to further the drivers cause or enhance the viewers understanding of what is going on by asking for platitudes for one of their rivals.

I think a better and more genuine answer from Piquet Jnr. might have been “Ask me something about me or off!”

Well, yes, that is true also.