Renault will replace BOTH drivers!

Well, it looks like both Fisi and Kovalainan are out on their duffs. Renault has signed Piquet and they say Alonso is 60% sure to sign with them. Flavio says he should have an answer within 48 hours.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=33419

 

I hope Kovy is going to McLaren!

 

Interesting I reckon Flav would try to nail FA for longer than a year though.

 

But would he rather have him for 1 year or not at all?

 

That is the question.. probably yes a year is better than nothing.

 

Not at all. Who would replace him in 2009? At least right now there are some choices, albeit mediocre. And if Renault makes a competitive comeback, would you want that information going to another team when your one year primaddona leaves?

 

They probably couldn't afford his salary demands for anything beyond a one-year deal. Besides, Alonso is signed for Ferrari for 2009

Swapping Heikki for Piquet Jr. is odd. I thought HK made a strong enough turnaround in the second half of the year to salvage his season. I am unimpressed with Piquet Jr. and I think he will be a bust for Renault. I can't see him doing better than Heikki did this year.

I think either Fisi or HK would be a good #2 at McLaren. For sentimental reasons I like Fisi but I think he is on his way out of the sport.

 

The Piquet name probably is more attractive to sponsors but HK did a very good job in the 2nd half. I don't understand all the preference for Piquet to HK that I kept hearing about this season. Maybe this way they can tell Piquet that he'll definitely be #2 in a "learning" year vs. HK who would be through learning and would be more of a challenge to Alonso. Just my thoughts.

 

I like Fisi as well and wouldn't mind seeing him in the McLaren just to see him have a good ride for the remainder of his F1 career, which may be only next year.

I'm not impressed with Piquet either but, I think he's a choice that Alonso would be happy with. I'd said before Alonso might not want Fisi in the seat and Kovy is still an unknown performer. He's shown really good pace and speed at times and the last thing Alonso wants is someone to suddenly find their pace just as he comes back. He wants No. 1 status and signing Piquet gives it to him.

 

He can try but I doubt if Fred will sign more more than a year. Fred wants to keep his options open, espcially after what happened with McL this year. Note that he broke his contact with McL by "mutual agreement".

 

Renault can certainly pay FA salary very easily, but no need since FB has put together an outside package for a reported 90 million.

There have been many threads that state FA has signed with Ferrari for 2009. Most of these are rumors and have originated in Spain. The italian press has been completely silent on the subject. Luca di Montezemolo always wanted Kimi and Massa has just signed for 3 years with Luca's approval.
What is more sensible is that there may be an option signed by FA in case Kimi decides to retire.

 

I agree, HK look pretty impressive especially in Japan (the really wet Asian race) where he got 2nd. Then again, F1 is more about politics and sponsors, so would you rather have Heikki Kovelallianianenan(exactly, you get my point Kovaleinan) who's last name can't be spelled by any mortal man and lives in the middle of nowhere in Finland, or Nelson Piquet son of a World Champion and Brazilian. Unfortunately, money and not driving skill seems to win this battle.

P.S. Kovalainen

 

I think Fisi will go to the DTM or WTCC

 

i think HK is certainly moving to Mclaren then. Nico has already commited his future at Williams, and i don't see a chance of him going to Mac anyways.

 

I guess i'm the only one who wants to see piquet in the seat. I never had a chance to see him in GP2 so i am excited to see what he can do even if it is his first year racing for the team.

 

Apparently Renault is also considering Alx Danielsson for a race seat. He is the current champion of the World Series by Renault. Then again can you trust a Swedish newspaper reporting on an Swedish driver.

 

Watch; HK will prove to be a better driver wherever he ends up than PJ
I smell another Aloshole deal cooking with a demand for a real live #2 driver, not a competitor, on the same team.
Which means he trashed HKs ride because of his desires. Classic Alonshole move.

It would be good to see HK at MickeyC's.

 

Or maybe LH at McLaren is forcing the issue and this is part of the deal to get Alonso out of McLaren ???

If HK is any good he would be on the move from the suffering/slow Renault anyway! The only reason Fisi was still there is because he is slow too.
Pete

 

I dont think that LH is calling the shots on driver line-up, yet. Wait a couple of years.

 

"Up yours!"
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Actually that is a classic Michael Schumacher move.

 

It's actually a wise move in my opinion. We saw how well Schumi and Barrichello got along most of the time they were together, and we experienced one year Alonso vs. Hamilton...

 

yes!

and yes!!!


Kimi has himself a #2, why can't Alonso?....

 

Florian, it was a joke to watch MS and RB. One thing I do admire is that RD lets his drivers race each other even when it proves to be detrimental.

 

Well, then we disagree here, Steve - I think F1 is also a great tactical game. Letting two drivers race against each other even if it does damage to the team as a whole is rather foolish ... but well, thats just my opinion