Fernando Alonso: How two-time world champion's career has gone downhill Fernando Alonso: How two-time world champion's career has gone downhill - BBC Sport
So he's the same driver that many believe is the most talented but now he's running around as a "backmarker"? His term not mine. Did he suddenly become less talented or does his current car suck badly? We all know the answer. If you put most any driver on the grid in the Mercedes cars, they would be world champion. I don't know why I bother with this sport anymore.
F1 | Alonso a Herbert: "Yo soy un campeón, tú comentarista" | Fórmula 1 | AS.com Pure class Alonso, lolololo , what a retarded...
The real pity of Alonso's career was his own ego getting in the way of making good choices in his early days.
Hindsight is a funny thing. I think he's done alright. 2-time WDC, sure arguably could've won more, and sooner but hey, that's life. He had a long stint at Ferrari, every other F1 driver's bucket list. Sure, winning at Ferrari would've been the ultimate dream, but hey that's life. Who knew the engineers & org were going to continue sucking for so long? Has he passed his prime? I don't think so, he's still faster than his teammate Button who was, statistically speaking, consistently outperforming Hamilton who is now dominating in a dominant Mercedes car? Hindsight, it's a funny thing. And just in case you didn't know, here are some Button vs Hamilton stats... Seasons together: 3 Scored most points in a season: JB 1 – LH 2 Average WDC pos. over 3 seasons: JB 4 – LH 4.33 Cumulative points over 3 seasons: JB 672 – LH 657 Average pts per season over 3 seasons: JB 224 – LH 219 Proportion of points delivered to team: JB 50.6% – LH 49.4% Highest WDC pos. in the 3 seasons: JB, 2nd 2011 Race Data Grand Prix starts together: 58 Wins: JB 8 – LH 10 Podiums: JB 25 – LH 22 Top 5’s: JB 37 – LH 36 Top 10’s: JB 47 – LH 45
Alonso was always a legend in his own mind. The only reason he won championships is because his team at the time had great development with other drivers. He did zippo for them just as he did for years at Ferrari.
It must be said, that the great architect behind Alonso 2 WDC titles was Flavio Briatore, the CEO and principal of the Renault F1 team at the time.Although having a smaller budget than the other teams, Briatore ran a tight ship at Renault and obtained very good results. He was also Alonso's manager at the time. Alonso never repeated the success he had under his tutelage. Briatore was equally the man behind Michael Schumacher's first 2 WDCs at Benetton (it was the same team, rebranded as Renault later).
Herbert´s remark was uncalled for and he had it coming. Alonso is right, Herbert was a mediocre driver at best. Apparently he is also not a great commentator.
Here is the reason why Johnny Herbert was a "mediocre driver at best": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlSo9MWZmq8 Take a look at @ 1:40 to see the remains of Herbert's car. And here's the details what happened to him after the accident: Interview > Johnny Herbert talks about injury > F1 Features - Grandprix.com I'll give you a sneak preview: In July 1988 Johnny Herbert signed to drive for the Benetton Formula 1 team. He was competing in Formula 3000 at the time and this was his big chance. A few days later Johnny was involved in a huge multi-car accident during the F3000 race at Brands Hatch. He suffered multiple fractures of his lower legs, ankles and feet. Seven months later, despite being unable to walk without sticks, Johnny made his F1 debut for Benetton in Rio de Janeiro and finished fourth in the race. It was a high point but in the months which followed Johnny was unable to reproduce the performance and he was dropped by the team at mid-season because his legs were not strong enough to enable him to drive competitively. So basically, he no longer had the physical strength in his legs to drive the car to it's absolute maximum any more. I guess it's a pity Herbert didn't have his legs ripped off in that accident, then I guess he'd be a man to admire, just like Alex Zanardi! Bad luck Johnny! - There's no sympathy around here for a driver who's legs were saved!
You can't take his championships away from him. He wants to drive this weekend after a horrific accident and two cracked ribs. Says quite a bit about him as a racer and competitor. Still a champion in my book. I think most people would be happy with his accomplishments.
I always amired Herbert, i fully remenber his first race with the benetton when he finished 5Th!!! thing is he was alking with canadians!!! His leg was badly injured at the time and still he was able to beat Alessandro naninni who wa sno slouch. Herbert was a very impressive driver, every bit as good as Hakkinen...he did some amazing things with the lotus, like a 4th place in qualy at Monza...only to be taken out at the first chicane by Irvine!!! He was blocked by lotus and missed the chance to go to Mclaren...that's how mika got the drive...and later blocked again and missed a spot at williams....Damon got the place...he was milles ahead o Damon, with a proper car he would have done the same if not better than Alonso, even with his legs all ****ed up!! But of course, Alonso is too ignorant to even know that.....this being said, i think Herbert was a bit harsh when he spoke about Teflonso.
Face facts here - Fernando Alonso needs to buy a Volkswagen Golf GTI!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgHlAdSpn7Y
I think it was just Herbert's cheeky chappie "tongue in cheek" nature and Alonso took it far too seriously TBH!
I'll agree with that! 2 opposite characters clashing; Herbert is always ready for a bit of banter, whilst Alonso looks miserable most of the time.
Johnny Herbert wasn't exactly a slouch; he had a long career, drove in F1 for several teams and won 3GPs. He also won Le Mans. Had he been so mediocre, I doubt if many teams would have asked for his services. Also, he was always a cheerful character, who got on well with different teams and drivers.
I rate Fred highly but he won in 2005 due to Mcl's shyte reliability and in 2006 due to Schumey's blown engine in Japan. It's not as if he wiped the floor with the field.
No it wasn't tongue in cheek. I watched him interviewed and he was very serious that now is the time for Alonso to retire. Does not believe he is as motivated and made a judgement error that resulted in that big accident. I am an Alonso fan but Herbert might be right??. You cannot be at your best forever. Pete
What a drama post. Sure I know about Herbert´s accident, actually saw him walk out of his F1 car at the track in a DNF when he was still recovering.
Point taken, calling him mediocre was too harsh. Nice chap at the time, people liked him much. I´m puzzled why he lashed out to Alonso like that.
I don't think any of the criticism is fair. Take vettel out of red bull and put Alonso there. Same result. Put Hamilton there. Same result. Put Alonso in the Merc and he's winning every race. Unfortunately I think F1 is 70% the car these days if not more.
Amazingly, he is the best on the grid, IMO. I don't think anyone else would have wrestled those crappy Ferraris and put them on places where did didn't deserve to be. However, i don't know..there's just something dark about Alonso, that seems to follow him wherever he goes to. I still think he should have stayed at Mclaren, easily being a double/triple WDC with them, then moving to Red Bull and finally retiring at Ferrari. I have doubts if he will ever be champion again, which is a huge waste, IMO.
I think that JH overstepped on this one. I find it strange when an athlete that achieved some success becomes a broadcaster and critiques those that have experienced much greater success than them. Fernando made a bad decision last year to go to McLaren and has been suffering the consequences, but he still is trying to make the best of of a bad situation. For Herbert who only won 3 race (none on outright pace, only after the better drivers were out of the race) to tell a driver that has won 32 races and 2 world championships (just missing out on 2 others), seems to be a bit like Justin Bieber telling Pavorotti how to sing... I like Johnny, but he needs to not exercise a bit of restraint in his comments.
He's a broadcaster for a company that wants a bit of controversy and attention. He provided just that by giving his opinion. If Alonso was so hurt by those comments maybe there was a bit too much truth in them?
I love JH and think he's a welcome addition to F1 coverage BUT there's a line two miles wide when commenting on another driver's dedication to the job. I don't believe he would have uttered the similar words had the driver been British. Fred had every right to feel slighted (especially as the comments were coming from someone who experienced similar pressures during a dry spell as a driver). Personal experience should have tempered Herbert's comments. I'll never forget Peter Windsor advising Alex Wurz before the start of a race his career was hanging by a thread. Unreal. I'm hoping Johnny clears the air with Fernando off air, their respective careers need no hyperbole, they were and are the best of the best.
