(from autosport) Honda Racing may be willing to risk signing Fernando Alonso with only a short-term commitment as part of a renewed push to lure the Spaniard on board. Autosport exclusively revealed in June that Alonso was Honda Racing's main target for 2009, but one of the stumbling blocks to a deal is the fact that the double world champion wants to keep his long-term options open as he eyes potential vacancies at Ferrari. Alonso is believed to crave the chance to lead efforts at Ferrari, but his hopes of racing there do depend on the future of Kimi Raikkonen, whose current contract expires at the end of 2009. The desire not to miss out on a 2010 chance has left Alonso unwilling to commit elsewhere for more than the next season - something few teams would be willing to do. However, with Honda Racing believed to crave a big-name driver to make the most of a 2009 car that has been spearheaded by team principal Ross Brawn, high level sources within the team have revealed that they are now mulling over gambling on only a one or two year deal. The hope is that the machinery produced will be enough to keep Alonso on board for longer than the initial single year. And the experience of Alonso at McLaren, where they parted company after one year despite a multi-season agreement, has taught the team that even long-term deals provide no security. When asked by autosport.com if it was vital Alonso committed for more than one year, Brawn said: "I think any team would want to have a longer term deal any driver for one year is difficult. "But if you have one year and do well, then it becomes two years and three years. It depends how well you do. I am sure the McLaren deal was more than a one-year deal and that didn't last beyond a year." Brawn would not comment on how far talks with Alonso had progressed, or make any predictions on the chances of a deal being put together. "Fernando is one of the top drivers in F1," he said. "And I think every team apart from one in the pitlane would welcome him. We are no different, but whether it happens, who knows?" Honda Racing are likely to keep Jenson Button on board for 2009 whatever happens, with Rubens Barrichello's future dependent on the success of the team's plans to capture Alonso.
Love that line! Anyway, Alonso has nothing to lose. I suppose that Honda will be paying better than Renault, so why not? The worst thing to happen is that he drives around in a midpack car for another year. With Brawn, he has the chance to become a second Schumacher in leading a mediocre team to victory.
Hey, whatever keeps him out of a red suit. Here's hoping he stays even FARTHER toward the back of the pack in the Honda. I give him 3 months in before he starts his whining and crying about not winning and writing the 09 season off and how he's not being supported etc etc etc.
A guy like Alonso is exactly what a team like Honda needs. He has an incredible ability to develop a car, and would thrive in an atmosphere where the team is building the team around him, much like he did with Renault when he won his 2 WCs, and is now doing again. However, it is near impossible to achieve anything substantial for only a 1-year duration. Look at what he is able to do with the under-achieving Renault this year - in another year or two, he would probably be contending for the WC. If he left for Honda, he should only do so if he is willing to commit for multiple years, and is also willing to start over again. Otherwise, he should stay on at Renault.
I have said all along that Alonso will never see the inside of the cockpit of a Red car. But will in fact end up at Honda.
That's what everyone was saying prior to the start of this season. And what has he done? He's turning Renault around and putting that car further up the grid than it has any place to be. Alonso to Ferrari would be the best thing for the team right now, whether you like it or not.
Remember Honda only acquired full control of BAR just recently. I suspect that Honda is prepared to dump a whole lot more dough into their F1 program now. I believe we will see a marked improvement over the next couple of seasons. That and Braun is what Honda is using to tempt Alonso. With Alonso's car setup and development skills, Honda could be a formidable force in the future.
Speed+Consistency, that's FA... He really needs to get in one of the Red cars...2010 at the latest...
Aah, the jigsaw pieces are coming together: Alonso at Honda in 2009, not for glory, but lots of money. Alonso at Ferrari in 2010 replacing retiring Kimi. Makes perfect sense. I can wait a season to see the best driver in the best car, courtesy of Santander.
I think he'll stay at Renault for 2009 and see how they adapt to the rule changes for next year, and if they don't perform well, Ferrari in 2010. I can't see him going to Honda for a year knowing the likelihood of him moving a year later is probably 90%. This gives him a much better chance to be among the leaders next year with Renault, and even if it doesn't pan out there, the odds are better with Renault than they are with Honda.
