Alonso's past history with the Scuderia.

[NewMetalSystem]

Flicking through the pages of Michael Schumacher's biography, The Edge of Greatness, when I came across this:

James Allen said:

Raikkonen was always Ferrari's first choice as a long-term replacement for Schumacher despite the fact that Fernando Alonso seemed a more complete driver and certainly had better results. This distaste for Alonso dates back to failed negotiations between Alonso and Jean Todt in 2001, which meant that the Spaniard was very much persona non grata at Ferrari. 'It was all done, he was to have become our test driver,' Todt recalled. 'We were writing up the contract. Then I found out that he had signed with someone else [Flavio Briatore]. I thought that we had finalised every detail with his manager, Adrian Campos, in the garden of my house'

So. It looks like Ferrari wanted to give Alonso the same role they ended up giving to Massa. It's Formula One's worst kept secret that Alonso is the favourite to be behind the wheel of a Ferrari on the grid at Melbourne next year, but as - to our knowledge - nothing has been signed, should we believe that he's out of favour at Maranello, and been out of favour for a long time? As Jackie Stewart will no doubt tell you, Enzo held a grudge. And despite it being 20 years since The Old Man died, many of his beliefs have been kept alive by the Ferrari work-staff. If Fernando was out of favour in 2006, what's changed since then?
On top of this, we now know that Robert Kubica is available for next year, and will be asking for a fraction of Fernando's wages. He loves Italy, and has a desire to race more than anyone else on the grid. All these ideals would go down very well with the tifosi, who loved Gilles Villeneuve and Jean Alesi for the exact same reasons. He's already blisteringly quick, like Alonso, but younger. His results this season have been poor, but last year he demonstrated what a great, raw talent he truly is.
As the new decade begins, and with Ferrari likely to announce their line-up at Monza, what two drivers will be set to race for the Scuderia come March?

[hairyben]

NewMetalSystem said:

Flicking through the pages of Michael Schumacher's biography, The Edge of Greatness, when I came across this:

James Allen said:

Raikkonen was always Ferrari's first choice as a long-term replacement for Schumacher despite the fact that Fernando Alonso seemed a more complete driver and certainly had better results. This distaste for Alonso dates back to failed negotiations between Alonso and Jean Todt in 2001, which meant that the Spaniard was very much persona non grata at Ferrari. 'It was all done, he was to have become our test driver,' Todt recalled. 'We were writing up the contract. Then I found out that he had signed with someone else [Flavio Briatore]. I thought that we had finalised every detail with his manager, Adrian Campos, in the garden of my house'

So. It looks like Ferrari wanted to give Alonso the same role they ended up giving to Massa. It's Formula One's worst kept secret that Alonso is the favourite to be behind the wheel of a Ferrari on the grid at Melbourne next year, but as - to our knowledge - nothing has been signed, should we believe that he's out of favour at Maranello, and been out of favour for a long time? As Jackie Stewart will no doubt tell you, Enzo held a grudge. And despite it being 20 years since The Old Man died, many of his beliefs have been kept alive by the Ferrari work-staff. If Fernando was out of favour in 2006, what's changed since then?
On top of this, we now know that Robert Kubica is available for next year, and will be asking for a fraction of Fernando's wages. He loves Italy, and has a desire to race more than anyone else on the grid. All these ideals would go down very well with the tifosi, who loved Gilles Villeneuve and Jean Alesi for the exact same reasons. He's already blisteringly quick, like Alonso, but younger. His results this season have been poor, but last year he demonstrated what a great, raw talent he truly is.
As the new decade begins, and with Ferrari likely to announce their line-up at Monza, what two drivers will be set to race for the Scuderia come March?

The alonso/ferrari situation is a funny one. They've both publically slated each other quite strongly in the past and yet it seems now they want to be bedfellows. I guess alonso is one of, if not the most complete driver on the grid, and ferrari are one of alonsos few options for the most likely can-win drive.

But I thin ferrari would be shooting themselves in the foot. ferrari expect 2 championships and that necessitates 2 highly rated drivers, and evan a lesser (but good) driver will have his days in the sun. We all know how alonso takes defeat from a teammate, I wonder for the reaction of the tifosi and ferrari too when alonso starts his stroppy "ferrari don't want me to win" horsest? Can't wait for it to happen, personally

but yeah like you say Kubica would be a better bet, speaks fluent iti too. OR Vettel, the kids damn quick, good with PR, and italians and germans always enjoy working together (schumi, WWII etc)

[NewMetalSystem]

hairyben said:

But I thin ferrari would be shooting themselves in the foot. ferrari expect 2 championships and that necessitates 2 highly rated drivers, and evan a lesser (but good) driver will have his days in the sun. We all know how alonso takes defeat from a teammate, I wonder for the reaction of the tifosi and ferrari too when alonso starts his stroppy "ferrari don't want me to win" horsest? Can't wait for it to happen, personally

I'd imagine the reaction would be alike to Prost slating Ferrari at the end of '91, and he didn't last long after that! The key thing is, I think, that Alonso needs Ferrari more than Ferrari need him. While Ferrari have the choice of three - maybe four, maybe five - drivers, Alonso is running out of teams. He's done McLaren and left on bad terms; Renault don't look like consistent challengers. The only other team I can see him turning to would be Red Bull, but Mateschitz isn't likely to replace Webber or Vettel with their current success.

[Jungles]

Renault has been steadily improving. We just might see Alonso scrabble up the leader-board towards the end of this season, like last season.

[Derek Smith]

Jungles said:

Renault has been steadily improving. We just might see Alonso scrabble up the leader-board towards the end of this season, like last season.

But then other teams hae improved, notably Ferrari and McLaren, and they have overtaken Renault. In essence, despite their improvements, essentially they've remain the same.

[kevin ritson]

I think the key thing here is that the negotiations were with Todt, himself not exactly in favour with the Scuderia these days. However if a deal has not been finalised then Kubica's availability makes an intriguing dilemma as I don't feel that Alonso would want him as his team mate should Massa not choose to return.

If the ink is dry on the contract then I suspect Robert's best chance lies somewhere between Renault and Brawn as I can't imagine Hamilton wanting him in the other McLaren either.

[zac510]

All of this speculation relies so heavily on Raikkonen packing it in.

Why are people so sure of that?

If there's nobody better on the market and Alonso is not welcome then Ferrari could do worse than have Raikkonen drive in 2010.

[RedLCRB0b]

kevin ritson said:

I think the key thing here is that the negotiations were with Todt, himself not exactly in favour with the Scuderia these days.

It was always Todt/Brawn who made the 'nasty' comments about Alonso.

I'm quietly hoping that Schumacher does well (if he does race) and decides that he would like to come back to F1 next season. If Ferrari were to give him a seat, imagine how Alonso will react if he does go there. It will be just like the McLaren situation all over again ! Poor old Fred

Bob

[Wanta996Gotta]

RedLCRB0b said:

kevin ritson said:

I think the key thing here is that the negotiations were with Todt, himself not exactly in favour with the Scuderia these days.

It was always Todt/Brawn who made the 'nasty' comments about Alonso.

I'm quietly hoping that Schumacher does well (if he does race) and decides that he would like to come back to F1 next season. If Ferrari were to give him a seat, imagine how Alonso will react if he does go there. It will be just like the McLaren situation all over again ! Poor old Fred

Bob

I agree, Alonso has issues and will bring his self-centered childish ways to Ferrari - Not sure is Massa/Schumacher/Kimi would put up with it. Kubica has not shown me anything that makes me think he is worthy of a place at Ferrari.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Friday 7th August 10:31

[skinny]

Kubi has never had the car - reckon he'd shine very brightly at ferrari (if they gave him a competitive car)

[The Milfman]

Wanta996Gotta said:

I agree, Alonso has issues and will bring his self-centered childish ways to Ferrari - Not sure is Massa/Schumacher/Kimi would put up with it.

Agreed, nor would the team I suspect?

Wanta996Gotta said:

Kubica has not shown me anything that makes me think he is worthy of a place at Ferrari.

To be fair to Kubica he finished third last season, lead half way through and was still in with a shot at the title with two races to go. This was in an inferior car to both Massa and Hamilton.

Perhaps you are right and he is not worthy of a place at Ferrari but lets face it, at the moment who really is?

Genuine interest in the discussion, not looking for an argument.

[entropy]

Wanta996Gotta said:

I agree, Alonso has issues and will bring his self-centered childish ways to Ferrari - Not sure is Massa/Schumacher/Kimi would put up with it. Kubica has not shown me anything that makes me think he is worthy of a place at Ferrari.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Friday 7th August 10:31

Wait a minute, didn't Schumi have self-centred ways at Scuderia?

Alonso is a double world champ who, ironically enough, beat Schumi fair and square without resorting to cheating/underhand tactics.

[entropy]

The Milfman said:

To be fair to Kubica he finished third last season, lead half way through and was still in with a shot at the title with two races to go. This was in an inferior car to both Massa and Hamilton.

Kubica was been solid last year with some stunning performances but we haven't seen him handle a proper championship fight and the pressures that go with it.

[The Milfman]

entropy said:

Kubica was been solid last year with some stunning performances but we haven't seen him handle a proper championship fight and the pressures that go with it.

True but I'd love to see him given the opportunity!