Perhaps. But there are many examples of entrepreneurs who started with little and died fabulously wealthy, yet throughout the whole experience had a warm heart. Hey, Ron has accomplished a lot and I commend him for his success. It just seems like he's never smiling and that says something to me. Heck, Enzo was driven, maybe too much. But at least he would crack a smile every now and then and you had a sense that he was enjoying life. Regardless, I wish McLaren well, on the track and off. Hopefully everything will come together for them when they switch to Honda power. -F
+1 Just published at Pitpass; Didn't last very long there..... Always seemed like a pretty decent guy to me. Wonder if he'll pop up somewhere else or if he's really done with it? Cheers, Ian Sam Michael to leave McLaren and F1 - Pitpass.com
I just read about Sam Michael's departure! Not sure if it's justified, but I haven't been a fan of his since his Williams days. His reputation was built at Jordan, but he never achieved much that I saw at Williams, and since his arrival at McLaren they've dropped back in the field. Certainly McLaren does need some shaking up on the engineering side - they've been out-engineered by Red Bull for the last 5 years, and certainly by Mercedes in the last 2 years.
Personally I think things started to slip, when Hamilton left (there again I would ) and Ron concentrated on his road car. I have a feeling with Ron back steadying the ship, and watching Ferrari all out at sea, it will give him the impetus to get back up fighting at the front end, all IMHO of course. Don't know why am chatting ships though
I have actually met Ron Dennis. And I used to represent one of his drivers, so I have some familiarity with actions that Ron has taken in the past. I would not call Ron a social climber. Ron has already stood at the pinnacle of motor sports--he has won WDC and WCC championships. He has had personal relationships with some of the most famous drivers in F-1, with Senna being at the top of the list. And yet, as far as I can tell, he never exploited it. I knew him to handle matters privately, and to avoid the press and "the right cocktail parties" when he could. When Mika Hakkinen won the grand chelem at Monaco in 1998, Dennis skipped the after party at Jimmyz (and no self-respecting social climber would dare to skip Jimmyz after the Monaco Grand Prix) and he had a private dinner with Mansour Ojjeh on Ojjeh's boat. Dennis is laser-focused on success and winning. He may be maniac at that. But social climbing? When one is at the top of everyone's guest list, one does not have to climb.
Being a social climber has never been a fault in my book. Well done to Ron Dennis who overcame his origins to become a F1 mogul and a successful automotive entrepreneur. Enzo Ferrari did the same. Like I said, he deserves all my appreciation.
Damn he must have really wanted out. Not only leaving Macca but England as well. For Australia. Don't do that unless you're desperate.
LOLOLO, he will score with Jessica and that's already pretty good, leave Ferrari pout of it please....
Until when JB has a contract with the McLaren team. IMHO he must take serious decisions for his future in F1. He is such a good driver...and the new-era F1 screws his plans.
... nobody with an FiA F1 press credential dare get caught admitting it: the McLaren people flat do not (NOT) want Alonso back. Nobody in F1 can bear saying it loud: But for Honda, nobody wants Fernando. He's poison! Prerequisite to readying McLaren International for the 18,000 pound gorilla earmarking Alonso's return, necessitating a painful top-down internal restructuring, all the McLaren people collectively agree on one thing: they would really rather not have Alonso back. "No! Anybody but him! Give him a deadline! Cross our fingers, and pray it lapses!" -- asj.
We already know he's not..... Serious issues. I can't be bothered to dig it up now, but do you remember the Tony Stewart thread in 'other racing'? Insane claims doesn't even start to cover it. I mustn't say what I really feel as I'll get a timeout, but if you get (really!) bored, I suggest you give it a read. I truly thought that was the end of him. I suspect he'll go nuts again and then he should be gone for good. Ian
Ferrari's goal, every year, is to win the WCC and be home to the WDC. Ferrari has failed to achieve these goals every year since Alonso joined the Scuderia. In that regard, both parties have failed for 5 years in succession. Whether Ferrari finished 2nd, 3rd or 4th in the constructor championship in either of those years, it would be considered a failure. Alonso was not hired to bring-home the 2nd place trophy. He was hired to win. He hasn't. I have hired people like Alonso. People who perform at a very high level, but unfortunately effect everyone around them negatively. They are out for themselves only, and serve themselves very well. But, the team as a whole does not benefit. Replacing that person with someone who, perhaps, does not perform at the same level individually, but works better with the team, ultimately produces better results for the team. Every member of the team benefits and greater results are achieved. This is the situation at Ferrari, and it seems that Mattiachi has recognized this.
