Piquet jr more of a threat than Hamilton..
Discussion
Interesting thought from Emerson Fittipaldi:
Former world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has warned Fernando Alonso to expect a tougher time against Nelson Piquet Jr at Renault in 2008 than the Spaniard had against Lewis Hamilton at McLaren this year.
And Fittipaldi believes that Piquet Jr's extensive testing mileage for Renault this year will lead to him being a significant threat to Alonso.
"Nelsinho will be worse than Lewis Hamilton for Fernando Alonso," Fittipaldi was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Nelsinho drives excellently, he is very quick, and last year he did over 15,000km in testing with Renault. For all these reasons I think he will give Alonso more trouble than he got from the McLaren driver."
Alonso endured a difficult time at McLaren this year, having a strained relationship with team boss Ron Dennis in the wake of the management refusing to give him number one status over Hamilton.
But despite his reservations about the challenge from Piquet Jr, Fittipaldi thinks that Alonso can still be a title contender if the two-time champion helps fire up the Renault staff.
"Thanks to Fernando, [team chief Flavio] Briatore in the past had the possibility of optimising the team's performance. If he manages to do that again, the Spaniard will be able to fight for the title."
Should make things interesting...roll on next year!
Former world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has warned Fernando Alonso to expect a tougher time against Nelson Piquet Jr at Renault in 2008 than the Spaniard had against Lewis Hamilton at McLaren this year.
And Fittipaldi believes that Piquet Jr's extensive testing mileage for Renault this year will lead to him being a significant threat to Alonso.
"Nelsinho will be worse than Lewis Hamilton for Fernando Alonso," Fittipaldi was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Nelsinho drives excellently, he is very quick, and last year he did over 15,000km in testing with Renault. For all these reasons I think he will give Alonso more trouble than he got from the McLaren driver."
Alonso endured a difficult time at McLaren this year, having a strained relationship with team boss Ron Dennis in the wake of the management refusing to give him number one status over Hamilton.
But despite his reservations about the challenge from Piquet Jr, Fittipaldi thinks that Alonso can still be a title contender if the two-time champion helps fire up the Renault staff.
"Thanks to Fernando, [team chief Flavio] Briatore in the past had the possibility of optimising the team's performance. If he manages to do that again, the Spaniard will be able to fight for the title."
Should make things interesting...roll on next year!
When Lewis faced Nelson in GP2 I think that Nelson lost the title on his lesser battling quality. When things were going his way he was unstoppable, but when he had to come through the field things didn't work out so well.
Therefore, I think if Alonso starts playing mental games and if he is able to assert his no 1 status throughout the team he will walk all over Nelson.
Therefore, I think if Alonso starts playing mental games and if he is able to assert his no 1 status throughout the team he will walk all over Nelson.
Satsuma said:
Renault are no hopers anyway for the title, by round 3 no-one will be interested, the 2008 battle will be ferrari Mclaren and bmw. with Williams Renault Red Bull et al picking up the dregs.
Wouldn't bank on that. I'm sure Renault won't be up with McLaren & Ferrari, but I'm sure they'll be up with the likes of BMW, just ahead of Williams and Red Bull.Knick Pee said:
well if the Renualt is no better than last year, neither driver will be any sort of threat to anybody, well, except Force India or whatever Jordan is called these days. 
Renault was pretty good last year. In fact, Alonso won the WDC in their car, and they took out the Manufacturer's crown too. 
Edited by Jungles on Saturday 29th December 10:18
I just don't see Piquet being a threat to Aloneso. Is Emmo getting all overly patriotic? IMO he is just simply not fast enough, from what I have seen. Clear number 2. Maybe out-qualify or out-race FA a couple of times, but that is all.
All I see is Piquet Jnr's performances to still futher buoy-up LH's class, especially given Piquet has had a similar amount of test mileage at Renault as LH did at McLaren.
All I see is Piquet Jnr's performances to still futher buoy-up LH's class, especially given Piquet has had a similar amount of test mileage at Renault as LH did at McLaren.
mattikake said:
All I see is Piquet Jnr's performances to still futher buoy-up LH's class, especially given Piquet has had a similar amount of test mileage at Renault as LH did at McLaren.
Actually, LH was and is the preferred driver at McLaren, while Piquet Jnr will clearly be treated in the #2 slot. So a comparison between the two will hardly be fair.However, I agree that he won't be a threat to Alonso. Not yet, anyway.
Edited by Jungles on Wednesday 2nd January 12:08
Jungles said:
mattikake said:
All I see is Piquet Jnr's performances to still futher buoy-up LH's class, especially given Piquet has had a similar amount of test mileage at Renault as LH did at McLaren.
Actually, LH was and is the preferred driver at McLaren, while Piquet Jnr will clearly be treated in the #2 slot. So a comparison between the two will hardly be fair.However, I agree that he won't be a threat to Alonso. Not yet, anyway.
Edited by mattikake on Wednesday 2nd January 12:27
mattikake said:
Jungles said:
mattikake said:
All I see is Piquet Jnr's performances to still futher buoy-up LH's class, especially given Piquet has had a similar amount of test mileage at Renault as LH did at McLaren.
Actually, LH was and is the preferred driver at McLaren, while Piquet Jnr will clearly be treated in the #2 slot. So a comparison between the two will hardly be fair.However, I agree that he won't be a threat to Alonso. Not yet, anyway.
Edited by mattikake on Wednesday 2nd January 12:27
In 2007, Hamilton got equal treatment at best, preferred treatment at worst. In 2008, Piquet Jnr is guaranteed to get second-class treatment. So as I said, any comparison between Hamilton and Piquet will be unfair, since Hamilton was given every opportunity to succeed in his debut year, while Piquet will almost certainly be restrained by Flav!
Edited by Jungles on Wednesday 2nd January 23:58
Jungles said:
.... while Piquet will almost certainly be restrained by Flav!
Will the FIA will have to have a permanent steward in the Renault pits this year to ensure fair play towards Piquet Jnr? Probably not, because Renault have been proved to be honourable sportsmen, whereas McLaren were clearly cheating lowlifes..... I personally can't see the young pretender getting near Alonso, although I'd be very happy to be proved wrong.
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