Alonso's fate gets complicated

Marc Gene`, test driver at Ferrari, state to "Gazzetta dello Sport" today: "I would he happy if Alonso arrives at Ferrari in 2009 but I don't think that is possible. Raikkone has a contract for 2 more years and Massa for 3. Ferrari usually respects its contracts.

On another note Alonso's fate gets more complicated. Dietrich Mateschitz told the German "Motorsport Aktuell" that there is no way that Alonso can come for one year. We want at least a 2 year contract with an option for a third year. This is also what Renault wants. The Spanish newspapers report that rumors that Alonso and Renault are a little more distant because of economical issues.

 

At this point it appears that Alonso's only venue will be Renault and at least a two year contract. Unless, there is a trade for Nico which seems unlikely, or a trade for Nick, which is even more unlikely.

Well, there is retirement and bull fighting school.

 

There's probably a NASCAR seat if he wants it.

 

I wonder if Alonso has realized yet that his whiny little beyotch ways have cost him any chance of a WDC in 2008 and possibly beyond? It was a very light rumor that Kimi would retire after his contract was up... but I don't think so. More likely he will be reinvigorated by winning the WDC this year and keep on keepin' on. I think Ferrari is smart enough to know what could happen if they were to let him drive there alongside Kimi, and I really don't see it happenning.

Also, even *IF* Alonso is the super car developer he would have us believe, its late in the season for him to bring too much to Renault. If he ends up there, he will be mid-pack at best. Lets assume Kimi wins in 2008... why would Ferrari trade a team-player 2xWDC that just gets in and drives for another 2xWDC (who last won a WDC 3 years ago) who whines if he's not #1 and trashes the team and has shown he will walk away if he doesn't get his tantrum answered?

 

Options:

Renault, but 3 year contract
RBR, 2 years with option on 3rd
Toyota...?

IMO he's going to have to go very far down the grid to get a 1 year contract.

 

Renault have ironed out all the glitches with their wind tunnel, so I suspect they'll be back on form after a few races....that's assuming there will even be a Renault after the FIA hearing.

 

Get 2 years at Renault...if they are still there .

 

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy IMVHO.

If Fred is in a mid-pack car I would be surprised if he finishes the year. However, I don't think he would take a mid-pack ride for a year unless he had the ride he wanted locked up for 2009.

 

+100

Alonso has shot himself in the foot. But he is still young enough to mend his ways. He needs to distance himself from the stupid Spanish media that likes to inflame things and he himself needs to be circumspect about what he says. He has let his ego run amuck and that has cost him big time. He needs a good mentor like perhaps Jackie Stewart or maybe Michael Schumacher (unlikely I know).

It will be a shame if he doesn't get a drive next year because although he is a whiney ***** and stupid person off track ... on track he is still one of the best.

 

I think Alonso is waiting for the December 6 hearing of the WMSC regarding Renault's spying on McLaren. If they won't get heavily punished, I expect him to sign with them. If they get beaten up to the point that they might pull out, he'll sign with RBR.

Most on here might not like him, but rest assured, there are many teams out there who would be willing to dump one of their existing drivers to have the two times World Champ in their car. He is the best development driver on the current grid and also comes loaded with money: At McLaren he was basically a "pay driver", because he brought more money to the team with his sponsors than the team had to pay him as a salary.

 

I drove Mark Gene to the airport once while working for BMW. Nice guy.

That's all.

 

Alonso will get what he wants. I don't care what people say he is great driver and has 2 championships. I don't think McLaren will be as good without him.

 

I wouldn't be surprised in the least that IF Renault gets no penalty, Alonso will sign a 2 years contract with them, and he will finish in the top 3 in 2008!

 

According to F1 Complete, Red Bull will not hire Alonso or another high profile driver until 2009 at the earliest.

 

I think Flavio is pissed with Alonso since he had announced to the press that Alonso would decide by last Thursday (Thanksgiving). FB to FA "Hey, you are bad for my image and you are ruining my reputation...so now, I am going to pay you less". FA responds " But,...you are cheating".

I agree with Andreas, I think FA is waiting for the FIA hearing to decide.

 

Doesn't care about who offers him a drivers seat... He knows what he wants, he wants to drive the red car in 2009 and if others won't let him have a one year contract then to he.. with them as Alonso doesn't need the money, he has more than 99% of the people on this planet so he can sit out a year, or the rest of his life for that matter.... Alonso is a great driver and he wants what he wants, some may think he shot himself in the foot but in my opinion, he's the one holding the cards...

 

...I have faith in Alonso and his ability to make wrong choises...so he stays away from Ferrari...

and I support the shooting theory...IMO he´ll go to Renault in the end, after a moderate fine and a slap in the hand so they can race for points in the next season...

 

Alonso sitting out 2008, watching from the sidelines and I think you will see him in the pits with Schumi behind the prancing horse at certain events..... Can you imagine that?

 

Hahahhahahahahahahahahahahahha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop!! You're killing me!!!!!!!!!

<signed>

Alain Prost
Ivan Capelli
Rubens Barrichello
Gianni Morbidelli
Mika Salo
Gerhard Berger
etc.
etc.
etc.

 

+1

The fact that the hang-up appears to be over a one-year deal strongly suggests that Alonso has a deal with Ferrari for 2009. If he opts to sit out 2008 then it is a certainty that he signed for 2009.

 

I liked FA, but this year he IMO he scrapped the barrel biting the hand that fed him.

I can see his point feeling trapped up against LH in a Brit team and all that but he should been mature enough to have realized that he could have come out of the whole thing looking a hero but as it happened he didnt look at the bigger picture and got involved in the spy scandal and tit for tat with Lewis, I read that at the opening GP in Aus he was slagging off RD to his mates so to be expected with all with this info in the public domain he will be treated with caution.

IMO he will still win another WDC and that will be with the horse.. meanwhile I thought Redbull but now it will have to be Renault depending on the outcome of the data issue or his stock value will plunge.

I dont believe Schumacher, Senna or Villeneuve would have ever been in this situation fast as he is.

 

+1

That'll be just fantastic.

 

Of course that's your opinion. Who's seat is he taking in 2009? Pick one, and then explain how good of a teammate you expect him to be with the other driver and the mechanics. Of course, it would be helpful if you used past examples of his ability to be a good teammate to back up these assertions, because as we all know, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.
THEN - use this to make the case that Ferrari would want him on the team.

Off track personality is important. KR doesn't have one, but at least it doesn't get in the way like FA's does.

Peter

Edit: Before you start on this homework assignment, the evidence certainly is in your favor. Why else would he want a one year contract? What other team could he be waiting on? Maybe BMW, but he might be hesitant to count on their strong form continuing.
The point of my post is merely to vent frustration. It's not worth rooting for anybody if you have nobody to root against. I have picked Alonso, because he's a worthy competitor and doesn't wear red. The question is, do I hate him more than I hate cognitive dissonance?
Time will tell

 

It is the opinion of many in the F1 paddock and press as well.

Massa. No one in the paddock thinks he will last 3 more seasons, not even at Ferrari.

The best predictor of future performance is past performance, you mean.

19 career wins. 2 World Driving championships. Everything else is irrelevant. Case closed.

Really?!? How many seconds a lap does that get you??


Peter, you do know that we are talking about auto racing, don't you? Perhaps you have this sport confused with beauty pageants.

 

You responded before you read my edit

Personality might not get you 6/10's, but neither does Alonso. This is a team sport, and team dynamics are important. This, you can't deny.

I would rather see LH in red.

Peter

PS - With the "parade lap" races we had going in 2007, maybe it would be more fun if they had a beauty pageant instead with the paddock babes. That's half the reason to watch anyway.