Per Yahoo Sports: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/01122009/58/alonso-making-impression-ferrari.html It sounds like the team are making notice of the time already spent at the factory as compared to a previous driver who shall remain drunk.
I think Alonso is wise to make an effort to gain the respect of the team well before the start of the season.
You are so right, I give it till the 4th race when he is being beat by Massa... then he begins to panic and claim he is not getting the SAME car...
at that point, ferrari will make ALO driver No 1 and will start emailing VET a draft of his 2011 contract...
apparently they can't, hence the declarations ALO must have known, he robbed me of the 2008 WDC, blah blah blah at least MAS got car No7 may the force be with him, he will need it.
Like him or not, Alonso is still one of the best drivers on the grid. As long as the newest Ferrari is competitive and suits both Alonso's and Massa's driving styles relatively equally, I think it will be hard for Massa to out drive Alonso regularly.
Amen, but replace regularly for after the second preseason test please Furthermore 1. ALO gets top (reported) wages at the team 2. He is already in maranello while MAS is changing nappies and karting 3. MAS has to renew his contract in 2011 left, ALO in 2015 4. regularity ... ALO will always take the same racing line as MAS is all over the place lap on lap ( this is my own view of the races, though) 5. Let it rain...
I'm still looking for a Massadorer who is willing to bet that Massa ends up with more WDC points than Alonso in 2010. I'll bet against it for a case of beer. +1 He has won a team on his side twice, he knows how the game is being played.
I am as pro-Alonso as they come, but I do think Massa will be too much for him in certain races (Turkey, Interlagos). That said overall Alonso will outscore Massa.
What's your brew? I'm a poor boy, but could go domestic One caveat: both drivers must complete the season.
Stella Artois. We can go domestic, it just isn't beer then anymore. Agreed on the caveat. Although I would be willing to give either driver one mulligan for whatever reason. PS: I just found a Massadorer, but don't mind betting with two.
It sure will be interesting seeing how the Alonso - Massa - Ferrari relationship develops and plays out! There is already many interesting dynamics. Will Alonso be the Schumacher replacement Ferrari are searching ? Will Massa damage another world champs reputation ? Will Ferrari side with Massa when things get close due to there history and loyalty ? Will Alonso throw the toys out the pram if Massa is able to out score him over 2010 season? I'm not going to predict how any of this is going to play out, as F1 has been very strange for me over the last few years ! i never expected Massa to out pace Kimi, i never expected Lewis as a rookie to match Alonso, and i never in a million years thought we would be sitting here now with Button as the 2009 World Champ !!
I don't think FA will have much trouble outracing FM. Firstly, it's hard to tell if FM is going to be in top form? FA hanging around shows his dedication to doing what it takes to win. OTOH, a guy like KR is out and looking at bouncing around in a rally car. I doubt he'll do much there.
about 07 and Mclaren/Alonso. I really think Alonso had a legitimate issue - he took big risks to take it to the Ferraris in the opening corners of the first several races, knowing Ferrari had an early car advantage over Mclaren. By taking those risks he succeeded in mixing it up with the red cars, which meant that the top three were all slowed by the fight. Hamilton, who is of course good on the brakes, rode right up to take advantage. If he was on another team, then fine, but if Alonso is risking his neck to keep Mclaren's and his title hopes going, there should have been some team spirit from a rookie. that's my view anyway. We'll see what happens now - a different dynamic with two experienced drivers.
Here is your number two!!! I am happy with the predefined terms. I dont drink so will have a San Pellegrino instead Mike
I respect him for that. I remember back in 2006, he got special permission from Renault to test that year Mclaren, just to see how the car felt. How many people actually make that sorta efforts? Anyways, depends on what sorta car the Scuderia gives them, i think both can be genuine contenders for the WDC. Massa has shown that he can fry the Iceman, and Alonso's 2 WDCs is no joke either. The Scuderia has definitely the best lineup for next year. Forza!
While Ferrari might have the best driver lineup next season.. Will they have the best car??? I hope that they do but considering this season I am not so hopeful. Alonso is doing nothing different than what MS did when he went to Ferrari the only differences is he is not bringing his engineers with him like MS did. Kinda speaks volumes about how FA feels about what he had to work with at Renault.
Bear in mind, with testing so restricted, there's only so much Fred and Massa can do. Back it Schumi's days, he used to test for almost 12 hours a day i suppose...
