interesting

[haggle]

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.p... looks like its all change then so what next kova to mclaren ?

[another 3 points]

Probably best of the rest and cheap too I suspect.

[flemke]

It is hard to believe that, if Alonso were to sign with, say, Red Bull, Renault would want to get rid of Kovalainen in addition to getting rid of Fisichella. One therefore wonders what Briatore has in mind in the 40% probability that Alonso does not sign with Renault.

However, if Kovalainen had already been committed to McLaren, then Briatore would be speaking correctly.

[zac510]

Especially after they have been nursing Kova for a few years. I thought they were mentoring him in the way they did Alonso but perhaps now they're turning their attention to that Piquet fellow instead.

[Racefan_uk]

I heard rumours ages ago of Piquet Jr having a race seat for 2008, which would put him and Alonso together now Flav has spilled this to the media.

Although, if he thought Hamilton gave him a hard time in equal machinery, a fired up Piquet will give him just as much trouble. He's been waiting to be a Grand Prix driver since 2004, he'll want to show the rest of the world he's up for the challenge.

I still think Toyota was the best choice for Alonso long term, but his options are becoming more limited.

[flemke]

It would not surprise me if Ron had an option on Kovalainen (contingent on Alonso's signing with Renault), whilst he was still trying to get Rosberg as his first choice.

[CivicMan]

So agree with Racefan, Piquet jr is quick and will certainly ruffle Alonso's feathers as Hamilton did.

What Fernando needs is a nice quiet uncompetitive team mate - what's Ralf S up to???

Edited by CivicMan on Tuesday 20th November 11:43

[woof]

zac510 said:

Especially after they have been nursing Kova for a few years. I thought they were mentoring him in the way they did Alonso but perhaps now they're turning their attention to that Piquet fellow instead.

Flav's all about the money - and there's way more money behind Piquet Jnr

btw - has anyone been to Flav's club in Sardinia ? It's called Billionaire
About every 60 secs - you get an F1 engine sound and the words FLAVIO being mixed into the music - nonce !
Full of hookers and models - quite a good night really - despite the Flavio sound effects

[zac510]

As much as I love that sound, it sounds like a rubbish bar!

Why would Ron have an 'option' on Kova? An option is usually something written into a contract. An interest, perhaps, but DLR has proven himself to be a sound #2.

[flemke]

zac510 said:

Why would Ron have an 'option' on Kova? An option is usually something written into a contract. An interest, perhaps, but DLR has proven himself to be a sound #2.

Easy: when they released Alonso, it could have been with the stipulation that they approve of the team he joins.
Ron then tells Briatore (who manages Kovalainen), "You can have Alonso if we can have Kovy."

I'm just making that up, but it's quite plausible.

[hostile17]

Racefan_uk said:

...if he thought Hamilton gave him a hard time in equal machinery, a fired up Piquet will give him just as much trouble.

Really? On previous performance, I wouldn't rate Piquet Jr.'s talent as being from the same drawer as Hamilton's. I would actually expect Nelsinho to be thoroughly destroyed by Alonso, if indeed they do partner up at Renault for 2008.

Can't say I'd mind watching that, to be honest.

[Jack Blag]

Testing times from Thursday 21 September 2006 at Silverstone:

1 . N. Piquet - Renault R26 - 1:19.510 (+ 0.000 ) - 86 laps
2 . H. Kovalainen - Renault R26 - 1:19.571 (+ 0.061 ) - 103 laps
3 . L. Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1:20.175 (+ 0.665 ) - 50 laps
4 . P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1:20.285 (+ 0.775 ) - 107 laps
5 . R. Schumacher - Toyota TF106B - 1:21.388 (+ 1.878 ) - 52 laps
6 . O. Panis - Toyota TF106B - 1:22.253 (+ 2.743 ) - 81 laps
7 . A. Wurz - Williams Toyota FW28B - 1:22.931 (+ 3.421 ) - 97 laps
8 . T. Sato - Super Aguri Honda SA06 - 1:23.183 (+ 3.673 ) - 85 laps.

Nelsinho doesn't seem to be "too" far behind Hamilton...

[anonymous-user]

Piquet Jr would be Alonso's worst nightmare, Piquet Snr would see to that, cue visits to the shrink.

[hostile17]

Jack Blag said:

Testing times from Thursday 21 September 2006 at Silverstone:

1 . N. Piquet - Renault R26 - 1:19.510 (+ 0.000 ) - 86 laps
2 . H. Kovalainen - Renault R26 - 1:19.571 (+ 0.061 ) - 103 laps
3 . L. Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1:20.175 (+ 0.665 ) - 50 laps

Nelsinho doesn't seem to be "too" far behind Hamilton...

True, but the R26 was the class car of the '06 field amd the MP4-21 really wasn't so much. Try Piquet Jr. in the R27 versus Hamilton in the MP4-22 and see if he's still 6/10th faster... :-)

[flemke]

In this week's Autosport, Kovalainen is quoted as saying that he has no contract with any team to drive in '08.

Stay tuned...

[hostile17]

flemke said:

In this week's Autosport, Kovalainen is quoted as saying that he has no contract with any team to drive in '08.

Stay tuned...

Haven't unwrapped my copy yet!

That makes things yet more interesting - it's tantamount to saying "I'm available, Ron!". McLaren do like their fast Finns, too...

[belleair302]

Its not about the drivers wishes it is all about who manages them....look at that first to see who goes where. Maney talks...bullsh*t walks!!!