Not at all surprised by this. I think 2007 is going to see some real fruit basket turnover. I think we'll see the resurgance of Mercedes/McLaren as in memories of long ago. Next step in the puzzle will be JPM - don't see him at all paired with FA, I see him perhaps signing with RBR or Renault. Right now pure speculation unless someone has an inside track to the crazy world of F1. Carol
If memory serves, Flavio is also Alonso's manager, so he would have brokered the deal. That's probably a good move for Alonso. PSA is pulling both Citroen and Peugeot from WRC, so FIA is frantically trying to get Renault to go back to WRC. Either Renault will go to WRC and drop F1, or they'll get distracted trying to do both, or they'll tell FIA to stuff it ... and face the consequences. (FIA working against a team on purpose? That wouldn't happen, right?)
Very true. Also found this interesting: Are McLaren going to become a dominant team again? I really, really hope not! I can just about stand losing to Renault or any of the other teams, but I detest McLaren! More intersting stuff. Could explain why Fernando jumped:
Doesn't this announcement seem a bit too early? If you know your driver is leaving, other than expecting professionalism from the team, what is the emotional incentive?? Briatore must have known something concrete about Renault's future to have brokered this deal with a clear conscience. I can not see Kimi and Michael on the same team. I more definetly can not see JPM and Michael on the same team. If JPM were to go to Ferrari, I may have to concentrate on NASCAR! MS holds the key to this merry-go-round. His decision for 2007 will determine where Kimi lands. The Tifosi thought MS was too cold to be a Ferrari driver when he was announced years ago, and he subsequently showed he has personality. I wonder what the population of Italy will think if Kimi (Mr. Warmth) is announced as Ferrari's new driver? 2006 may be the best F1 season in years.
Doesn't surprise me at all. Ron Dennis will always race F1, you can't say that about Renault and I would not be surprised to find them pulling out of F1 "again" they were on the brink of that this year "from insider source".
I must admit Im a bit surprised that Alonso is going to McLaren. I really thought that Alonso (and his personality) would be better suited to Ferrari. But I think Alonso is thinking long-term, that Ferrari has fallen a bit and McLaren is on the upswing. Just goes to show you this guy is smart and doesnt just react to what is happening now, but thinks about the future. Thats what makes him a real WC. Although I have to admit Im not too surprised Renault is pulling out of F1. There goal was to win the World Championship and Driver Championship and theyve done both. They dont have an incentive to stay in F1 anymore. I find a lot of the Manufacturer based F1 teams (minus Ferrari) are there purely to earn profit and dont really care as much about the racing. For example, former Jaguar team, current Toyota and Renault. And I suspect BMW will be the same. Had the Toyota team not done as well as they did this year Toyota would have pulled the plug on F1.
Damned! I was hoping to see Alonso in the Ferrari. Now it will be Kimi driving for the Scuderia in 2007. Oh well, that's cool too. PS: I'm still thinking Renault will call it quits at the end of next year.
isnt Flavio his manager ?? unless he switched mgmt recently. switching teams was predictable cosidering renault's views on formula 1, but i never thought he would switch to McLaren. also makes you think ...how long is the contract for ?!?! if it starts in 2007 and is for atleast 2 years ...it raises the question whether Mclaren plans on signing the concorde agreement and abandoning the GPMA ?
hes already accomplished the ultimate goal with renault, good for him to make a change and start something new and do that same somewheres else...
Good. That just about seals the deal for Kimi to come to Ferrari, and I like him better than Alonso. I still think MS will win the title this year, only because there is renewed fire at Ferrari and they do have the best engine man in F1.
The question is, would Renault stay with Alonso. There was quite a bit of talk about Renaults future in F1 anyway. I interpret this move from Alonso (obviously with Flavios backing) to mean that Renault may in fact be moving out of F1. The beancounters of that company have already targeted their WRC effort and F1 has also been in their crosshairs.
Since the 2005 title has already been won by Alonso and Renault, how can MS win it too? As far a 2006 is concerned, I suspect it will be Renault and McLaren in the fight again with Ferrari just another "also ran" just like this year...
I agree that the title will be decided between Kimi and Alonso in 06 but Ferrari will be much closer. They won't have the tire issue anymore.
holy crap...this really came quick and unexpectedly to me...i knew he would move away from renault...but not this quick...i guess, kimi is destined for ferrari in 2007 after all...i don;t see kimi and FA comin mates...it's so difficult..both have totally diff personality...it would be nice to see kimi partner MS for 1 year at least at ferrari..
Definitely agree with that. What surprises me on Alonso's part is his acceptance to travel into the unknown: McLaren will always be professional, but now they lost Newey, so who knows how good/bad that 2007 car will be (or even the 2006 for that matter). So why did Alonso sign? Sounds to me that he was short of options, which indicates that Kimi has already done the Ferrari deal and that Renault is withdrawing for 07. dretceterini: Agreed that 2006 should be a great year, but it looks as if 2007 could bring even greater potential for upheavel (1 tire, different driver lineup, CDW wing,).
Wow, Ron really pulled one off there. Too bad for all those FA to Ferrari guys. Maybe JPM isn't sounding so bad to some people............
The first thing I thaught when I read this was the KR rumor about Ferrari, which I do not see happening. I assume the one who performs less during the 06 season will be booted, I doubt Mclaren already knows who they are going to send off, both their drivers are capable of being world champ, they just both have to perform well to see who is the best. I'm not a big Alonso fan, but this may change my opinion of him, I will never like Renault, but Alonso may grow on me. Imagine if Mclaren continues their dominance through to 2007 and we get to see Alonso and Kimi battle again but in the same team...oh there is no doubt F1 will remain exciting! It was my impression that the Mclaren part would always remain in F1, its the Mercedes part that would leave.
I don't think Alonso is on par with Kimi as I driver. I would love to see Alonso and Kimi with McLaren. I think Kimi would get the best hands down. I'm looking forward to Kimi and Michael together for 1 season at Ferrari. If MS played the role of "big brother" to Kimi he goes down as an immortal (as if he already isn't :-o )to the Tifosi as he graciously ushers in the next champion. The Renault situation does not bode well for the outfit. Recall that Flavio was furious when MS left after winning his World Championships and Flav felt that Ferrari basically "bought" the team he built from under him. The reg changes benefit Ferrari this year. McLaren got on my nerves when Mika was top dog, they seemed so polished like they had nothing to work for. Unlike with Ferrari where they always seemed to be raising the bar and hell bent on acheiving maximum success. Gott love that!!! I earned tons of respect for McLaren for fighting back the way they did last year. The MP4 was horrible in 04 and started out that way in 05. They really preservered.
Hehe, funny how these things evolve: I am a big Alonso fan, but this may change my support for him. I will never like McLaren, but Kimi in a Ferrari will grown on me quickly.
