Alonso staying at Renault in 2007?

The rumor I heard while at the USGP is that Vodafone will call that one. They will be McLaren's primary sponsor in 2007, and they demanded and are paying for Fred to be THE driver. So I do not think any amount of money will buy him out of his contract with McLaren.

But personally I would hope Alonso stays, which means Kimi will likely go to Ferrari.

 

"don't believe anything that isn't officially denied"

 

Back in time (which seems like eons ago) when discussing Alonso and McLaren on this forum, I made a comment stating that it's just possible that Renault might by him back. Guess we'll see if it somehow comes to pass.

I thought it was interesting that on the pre-race show before the race today they showed Willie Weber with Flavio on several occasions. I'm sure that there's nothing to make of it other than the guys are friends and had a friend to friend conversation. (That's how the rumor mill starts!!)

When I read it on Autosport, I'll know what really happens!

Carol

 

I don't believe for a second that his contract will be bought out. I don't see Ron giving up a YOUNG champion who knows how to develop a car (as well as keep it from blowing up). Ron has enough money now imo with Vodafone jumping aboard.

Pun intended?

 

wake up!! FA will never go back to renault. he kept on insisting on several interviews this past few days that he has no regrets and second thoughts. anyways, it would be silly and stupid for renault to buy back FA. with the money, they can sign up kimi and nico

 

I hope he moves on for the sake of the game.

 

Did you hear during the French GP broadcast that Fisi is the one on the Renault team that contributed to car development, not Alonso? Apparently Alonso doesn't have the time for such trivial efforts.

As for the pun, well......:}

 

So, does this mean that there won't be any more "Johnny Walker" for McLaren anymore?

 

I hope Alonso doesn't stay, especially if Schumi retires after this year. Unless Kimi come to Ferrari, I don't think we'll have a very good chance to really compete with Renault have Alonso and Ferrari not having Schumi next year.

 

Not sure, but likely they will be a secondary sponsor. Until you see the car at the first race of the season, its hard to know who, what, where, and when.

 

So, what will Vodafone be replaced by on the Ferrari F1 car of 2007, or will we just have a big Shell logo?

 

Why is it expected that Michael will retire???? age - don't think that's remotely a factor, look at the ages of the greats of grands prix racing -> physical condition - hell, he's in better shape than all the other drivers - lack of motivation -> definitely not him - if one enjoys what they do and they do it well it doesn't make sense to give that enjoyment up and it's been reputed many times over that he really enjoys the racing

Also the comment was made today on Speed that Fisi will be the #1 Renault driver next year. My immediate comment was I don't think Kimi would want to be #2 to Fisi, it's going to take a more junior person to fit that role. Either that or Fisi will get trounced if Kimi were his "#2" in a Renault.

Carol


Martini & Rossi will be a new sponsor.

January 23, 2006 - Martini & Rossi joins Ferrari!
Ferrari is expected to announce later today that it has signed a new sponsorship deal with the drinks company Martini & Rossi. The Turin-based drinks company has a long history of involvement in motor racing but in recent years has been out of the sport. The arrival at McLaren of Johnny Walker seems to have spurred the Italians into action again and where better for an Italian firm than with Ferrari.

The company dates back more than 140 years but became Martini & Rossi only in 1879 when winemaker Luigi Rossi bought into the Martini company. The company was first involved in the sport in 1968 when the German distributor of Martini & Rossi sponsored a Porsche 906 sportscar. This led to a relationship with the Porsche factory team in 1971 with a 917 raced by Vic Elford and Gerard Larrousse. The company then hired the JWA Porsche team manager David Yorke to be its motor racing consultant and he suggested that the company sponsor the Brabham F1 team. This advise was ignored and Martini sponsored the local Tecno F1 team in 1972 and 1973 before finally taking Yorke's advice and sponsoring Brabham in 1975, 1976 and 1977. At the same time the company enjoyed a successful sportscar programme with Porsche with the 936 and the 911SC.

After taking a year out of F1 in 1978 the company returned with Team Lotus in 1979 but this was not a success and so Martini concentrated on sportscars again in 1980. The relationship with Porsche came to an end that year and Martini began a longterm partnership with Lancia, initially in sportscar racing but after 1983 in the World Rally Championship. This resulted in six World titles before it was decided to switch to touring cars at the end of 1991 with Alfa Romeo, initially in the Italian national series but then in the International Touring Car Championship. In 1999 a new relationship began with Ford in the WRC but now it seems Martini wants to get back into again.

 

Aha. Now I see. Now we need some good Pchops so we can see what the F1 car might look like next year.