More cracks have appeared in world champion Fernando Alonso's seemingly tense relationship with Renault. The 24-year-old has since played down his adverse comments printed by Spain's 'Marca' newspaper. However, a corresponding daily in Germany - 'Bild' - has also published an interview that sheds negative light on how the relationship is coping with Alonso's switch to McLaren for 2007. Asked about the mood in the blue and yellow garage at present, he was quoted as saying : ''My future is more important to me than the atmosphere in a team.'' Alonso also expanded on his Marca comments that implied dissatisfaction with the 'help' he has received by Renault since 2003. He suggested that, with a clear top driver, Renault should adopt the Ferrari policy of 'concentrating on one' car. ''It would apply to all areas -- engine, tyre, strategy. Then, the second driver could drive for longer on Fridays,'' Alonso asserted. Team principal Flavio Briatore, who gave Alonso his chance in formula one, expressed disappointment with his young charge's attitude. ''Because of us he became world champion,'' the Italian said, ''so perhaps he should think about that.'' Source GMM © CAPSIS International Hmm interesting, I wonder if they can keep it together for the title run.
He actually made that statement in an interview that CBS aired in the opening moments of the Imola GP. I was somewhat stunned to hear that. I love the fact that he speaks his mind. And I think Renault/Flav don't really have much of a choice, Fisico is not WC material. So bite your tongue and support the guy.
I agree Fisico is not WC material. I thought he was but not anymore. Villeneuve / Kovalainen next year at Renault. Just watch. Flavio is a big fan of JV, he will give him another chance. JPM at Red Bull Raikkonen at Ferrari. Massa at BMW.
I didn't know Flav likes JV. Interesting. Could happen. Regardless I DO want to see Kovalainen racing. I see him as the next KR/FA/MS. JPM at Red Bull? Cool, probably as close as I ever get my wish of having him in a Ferrari. KR at Ferrari, old story. Massa at BMW. Hmm. Why? Not that I disagree, but what makes you think so?
I heard BMW offered Massa a contract a while back to drive for them this season. Some quotes from Flavio Briatore on JV. "Everybody wants a driver like Jacques Villeneuve," said Briatore in Monaco. "To win races you need a good driver but I dont think we are ready as far as the car is concerned. Before you have someone like Villeneuve you need to have the technical side of things under control and a winning car. Jacques deserves a better team than Benetton." - Flavio Briatore, June 2000 We dealt with him right up to the end but I imagine his friendship with (BAR boss) Craig Pollock decided it. Of course Id have liked to have had him but theres no problem. Well stay friends. We will wait a year, and then when Renault takes full command of this team perhaps well talk again. -Flavio Briatore, August 2000
Sorry JT, but those quotes are from 2000. If Flav had wanted JV behind the wheel working for him it would have happened by now! Flav knows when a driver's expiration date is and JV's has long since past.
Come to think of it, it actually did happen: When he replaced Trulli, and that was only a couple of years ago. So Flav might have a soft spot for Jacques.
Ok, so I'm bias towards JV. It's true Flavio likes JV, he gave him Jarno's seat instead of giving it to Montagny. I believe Flavio doesn't rate JV as high as in 2000 because if he did he would have signed Jacques instead of Fisichella. But signing JV in 2004 would have been a risk because he was out for 1 year. Now that JV is up to speed maybe Flavio is thinking about it.
I think Flavio has much choices than JV. Sometimes I forget that he is a champion because there is so little evidence of it in his driving. He is doing a great job for a mid-fielder at Sauber. He is nowhere near the top echelon of the drivers. Hopefully Heikke will get a deserved seat
