Did Flavio screw up Alonso's race?

Well, he had to bring it in after basically a lap so filling it to the brim could make it a two stopper. They must've thought that giving him less fuel for the 2nd time (going for a 3 stopper) would make him quick and possibly catch up vs. just a 2 stopper. I wonder how the race would've played out if FA qualified just a litte better by not going off the last turn...

 

It is hard to say there might have been some underlying issue with Fernado's car that we could not see.

Damaged suspension, Steering, etc........ Perhaps FB was thinking that it would be a race of attrition and Fernando would be up in the points at the finish.

 

I think the incedent with Ralf on turn 1 caught them off gaurd. Alonso came into the pits, the crew fixed the damge, and off he went. There was no consideration given to changing strategy.

The pressure is showing. First the mistake in qualifying and then the anxiousness during the race. This was not Alonso's weekend. Too bad it was his birthday on Friday. It would have been interesting to see him race next weekend. The 3 week break work in Alonso's favour as he gets a chance to relax and concentrate on Turkey.

Kimi will be the one getting a little restless to go out and try to win another race.

 

When he hopped the curb going into 1, I think he possibly fouled up his suspension and/or the aerodynamic bargeboards underneath, which would really affect how the car drove after that.

Funny thing is, during the race I actually said that out loud when he had to pit. "Now he needs to fill it to the brim and go for a 2 stopper." Not much attention was given to Alonso on TV when he got into the back, so I couldn't follow if he changed strategy.

 

I believe Renault and only one other team (can't remember which?) choose the harder compound Michelin tyre ... this was the wrong choice.

This meant that Alonso could not lap fast enough to be competitive ...

We will now see how Alonso handles [size=+4]PRESSURE![/size]

Man this season is GOOD
Pete

 

I would have 2'd him. Fill that cow up and make it as wide as possible. That way you're only losing track time to the boys in front and you probably wouldn't lose a single position on track due to the passing problems. That way, when the boys behind you pit, you have held them up, not needing to pass anyone and you're free to close the gap on the cars up front who are also pitting. It seems simple from this seat.

 

Good point, and yes he did stumble at Suzuka.

Imola was a good drive by Alonso, but on his side was a nervous and very cautious MS ... and Renault knew and used that.

Renault (as you say) completely dropped the ball at Hungary. I feel that after practice and qualifying that they just wanted to struggle through the race and get some points, why?

1. Because the performance was not quite their,
2. They were obviously lost regarding tyres and choose the wrong compound,
3. And are now nervously thinking too much about the WC.

This means their whole mental attitude was wrong and thus they did not react positively or agressively to the first lap incident. I bet they were still going 'Oh No' by the time Alonso made it back to the pits ... and thus were not thinking.

On top of that they probably thought they still would get points, as ofcourse they have been so fast, etc. so far this year, but as we all know things change during the year and even if the driver is a little off it can make huge differences ... and the lap speed of the Renaults was poor and they really cannot just blame passing cause they (from my couch) did not look like they were screaming up on others and even looking fast.

Thus I now see a nervous Renault team ... they are looking over their shoulders at McLaren, thinking FNCK they are starting to get their act together and that thing is a ROCKET, and Ron Dennis has won this many times before ... thus a fair degree of panic now exists. Don't get my wrong they are still in the driving seat, but I can feel the nerves from Sydney.

McLaren on the other hand have absolutely NOTHING to loose, full on every race and if they happen to keep winning they just might take it out ... if they don't well atleast they have a few trophies in the cabinet, while Renault are still to get this one. Renault are thinking that it is their year this year ... they don't want to have to maintain the momentum for another year, they just want the trophy. McLaren always have next year ... as they are first and foremost a race team, not a manufacturer trying to create a new marketing campaign. For example: Go to www.Renault.com and note how on the VERY first page you can link to their F1 news ... this is big for Renault (as it should be ).

Alonso MUST be feeling the pressure from Renault by now ...
Pete

 

You are probably right ... but if Kimi gets another point advantage meeting ... oh the pressure and drama for finishing a great season ... and may the best man and team win.

Pete
ps: Renault absolutely deserve to bag a drivers WC, they have been instrumental in technical advances in F1 ... turbo, pneumatic valves, v10 engine, etc.