And so it begins... (publicly anyway) Alonso happy to be beating Raikkonen | Planet F1 | Formula One News Fernando Alonso is pleased that he is beating Kimi Raikkonen so far this year, but both drivers know that the Ferrari is languishing behind the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull currently.... The rivalry between the two former World Drivers' Champions was a hot topic of discussion since it was confirmed that Raikkonen would rejoin Ferrari, but in the first two races of the season in Australia and Malaysia, the Spaniard out-qualified and out-raced the Finn, even though the latter's race at Sepang was badly affected after a coming together with Kevin Magnussen. "I would prefer to have won in Australia and Malaysia," Alonso is quoted by Italy's Tuttosport. "But as long as you are in front of your teammate, you are doing something extra compared to the expectations of people. During an interview with Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper Raikkonen refused to draw comparisons with the 2009 season, when he struggled with his Ferrari and left the Maranello team at the end of the year. "I have no desire to make comparisons like that and it doesn't change anything anyway," Raikkonen told Turun Sanomat. "For sure it has not been an ideal start, but we improved the car for Malaysia and the weekend started well even if it finished badly. "Without the accident I see no reason why I shouldn't have done the same as Alonso. "We're getting some new parts that should help me, at least that is the plan. "The front end should feel better." With regards to new parts, Alonso agreed with Raikkonen, revealing to Autosport that they are well-aware of the areas Ferrari need to progress in if they are to catch Mercedes and the improving Red Bull. "Traction was not good enough," Alonso told Autosport the performance in Malaysia. "Out of the corners we were losing ground. "We compare our traction with probably the best traction car out there, which is the Red Bull, so maybe it was more or less expected this deficit. "With the top speed it's not secret we are not comparable with the Mercedes. "They've been fastest in Australia, fastest in the [Bahrain] test, fastest here. I think we have some work to do. "Obviously for Bahrain, there is not much to do because in a few days we are in the car again, but for China and Spain I think it's very clear what we need to bring to the car and we will do. "We will improve, that's for sure. We've only done two races. We are analysing deeply the areas we need to. "They seem clear to us and we will put a lot of effort to improve the car and run as soon as possible at the level of Mercedes and Red Bull. The hope is still perfectly there."
Alonso better be wise. One shouldn't brag too much of beating your team mate because things change quick in F1. Once Raikonnen starts to get the grips of the F14T he'll be much faster. How much? We'll see, but if the Iceman starts to beat him, ufff, Alonso won't be all that happy-chappy.
My thoughts exactly. I am not sure that Alonso's tactic will affect Kimi. When Kimi does start to really perform in the car I think that will really have a negative affect on Alonso.
What a smug punk. I don't remember, which one of those two drivers has a Ferrari title? Oh yeah, Kimi does.
Smug? Or just how we expect top drivers to act like? You show me ANY driver who is satisfied being number 2 on this team and I'll show you a driver who isn't worth a damn. They all want to beat the other guy or they are worthless. Of course he thinks he's better than Kimi. Ask Kimi and he'll say he's better than Alonso. That is the way it SHOULD be. I wouldn't give a tinker's damn for a driver who wasn't feeling satisfied about beating his team mate.
No it will be Hamilton vs Nico. The other to look for is Massa vs Bottas --- I expect more fireworks there. Ricciardo has the chance to be rookie of the year but RB will never give him the chance to challenge Vettel.
Well, he did say 'the only Ferrari headline', not 'the only headline'..... Other than that, I suspect you're probably right. OTOH, & despite 'appearances', I don't think any team will intentionally 'sabotage' a guy..... Should Danny be ahead, it'll be interesting to see how they play it. I don't think this has been posted. From, of course, Sniff; Cheers, Ian
Agreed. Also, It seems it may come down to who the team chooses to place the majority of support. Maybe it could be Kimi if they're tired of Fred.
Alonso has hardly done anything worth beating his chest for at Ferrari. Sorry. I don't remember Schumacher needing to knock down the performance of his teammates to make himself look better. Of course, he was actually winning races during his time with Ferrari. At the end of the day, Kimi is in an elite group of champions with red driving suits. Alonso is not. He should just do his job and attract as little attention to himself as possible. I'm not a fan.
Jeez, how does a thread go this nasty so quickly. We have two excellent drivers at Ferrari, both world champions, and one has merely said that in the scheme of things, his performance is that of the stronger driver...... great. Kimi won't care guys, that's a fact Alonso has consistently outperformed the car and come second in the title race three times, despite our being unable to put together a car anywhere near fast enough for the last 6 years, there's his skill set....... just like schumi, able to drag a car by the scruff of its neck to perform at 150% every session Kimi is more an out and out racer, he needs the equipment to be right, and if it is, he will produce the goods. If the set up doesn't suit him, he can struggle depending on the issue as he is maybe not so adaptable as Alonso. Neither trait of the drivers makes the other better overall than the other, they are both fantastic. On a Ferrari forum, isn't it time we got behind our team and recognised the good things they've done. The car will get there, hopefully sooner than later, but the drivers are already working hard, and the mechanics in the pits are clearly fantastic (every commentator on Saturday was crowing over Alonso being out of qualy - one in the eye for them!)
Its hard not to feel demoralized by Merc pace this season, especially for 2 highly paid "elderly" champions who is driving for a team that is going through championship drought.
I haven't heard Hamilton or Vettel boast about how they beat their team mate. In fact, I haven't heard anyone do so.
He wasn't bragging, he was stating fact, a fact many on here state very often. The first measure to achieve is to be the fastest in your own team, and the second is to beat other teams...... That's all he has said, it's certainly wasn't 'haha, I can beat kimi anytime anywhere, eat dust iceman' was it? So far, he has been the quickest in the sessions that count, no more, no less. That's it
No way, not with Dennis running the show and another hot shot rookie in the team. That didin't go so well last time.
Speaking of team mate rivalry, saw a short bit from Sir Stirling Moss saying basically good for Massa in not letting Bottas thru! As stated above, we expect all drivers to compete, and to think they are #1. If you don't, then you probably won't last long.
Vettel doesn't have to boast ... he'll just disobey team orders and overtake his team mate when they don't expect it.
