Cheating, scandal ? sabotage ? crashing intentionally ? You say you've been a fan from the early 80's, Let's just say that you don't recall much, and leave it at that.
All you need is Max Mosley to change his mind and stay head of the FIA and the job is done... Mind you with Todt there you have.
In a few years when he's won a few championships with Ferrari most people here who dislike him will probably speak different about him
Schu never conspired to take down his team, so you can't equate the two. Schu was 'win at all costs' on the track, but he really was at the center of the "family" environment at the Scuderia during his run. My fear is that a) Alonso will eventually run Massa off and b) team chemistry will be crap because he'll run right over Dumbmenicali. While Alonso is undoubtedly one of the top-2 drivers (sorry, I cannot discount the fact that Hamilton beat him in the same car, nor the fact that Hamilton is outperforming him now when the McLaren was a bottom-3 car earlier this season), his insolence and selfishness must be tempered by a strong team principle (i.e. Brawn, Todt, Briatore), otherwise he ruins the team. If somebody were to create a 1-car "Scuderia Alonso", then I think he'd be fantastic.
Love him or hate him, he's a 'passionate' driver with mad skills. He doesn't like to lose or lose the spotlight. A total narcissist not unlike Senna. You won't catch him on the sidelines eating an ice cream cone in his shorts...
All you Alonso supporters, Just kick back and watch. Once Alonso starts winning races, Lets go back and see who jumps ship. It's gonna happen. Trust me. Everyone here will be Alonso fans. If Not, there not Ferrari fans.
I think some are saying they won't support him, while others (like me) have reservations on how he will impact the team. First off, I'm not certain that the current leadership can lead the team to victory and you only compound that with a primadonna personality. Alonso won't settle for driving a cr@ppy car and then things will get interesting. I hope it all works out, but I believe in some cases past is precedent and I fear this is one of them. Again, I hope for the best but am concerned about whether or not Ferrari have all of the "pieces" to enjoy another Schumacher-type era. It may be more like Prost's tour of duty.
I like to see it as perfect pairing. Great driver+great car+great crew=wins. Those are the basics. Then we have the underlying issue of whether or not the teammates can mesh. We soon shall see. I've been a fan of many sports over the years and everyone once in a while there's an "oh-crap" moment in contracts. A majority of the time it turns into a great thing! I'll support anyone in red!
Thats a ridiculous statement. Really, so you cant support the team without supporting the driver. I will not now or ever be an Alonso fan and will always remain a Ferrari fan.
I agree with BJM. If you despise Alonso before he joins Ferrari and love him afterwards... does that really make you a fan of Ferrari, or does it just mean you like cheering for whomever's car is painted red? The team is made up of more than just a paint job and more than just the driver of the day. Forza Ferrari, but hiring Fernando Alonso was a mistake. All the best, Andrew.
Good points in your entire posts but I'll still use Shell V-Power and Shell diesel only because I am an Audi fan!!! Carol
Not much doubt left about FA being a disruptive influence is there? Then again a shake up might be just what the Scuderia needs. In any case its a bit early to start hanging crepe or to pour the bubbly.
Again I'm with you on this. MS got everyone pulling in the right direction all singing the same tune, at Ferrari he had a great team around him all the pieces fitting into place and he was very dedicated to the cause of winning ruthlessly. We can only wait and see if FA has a similar impact, he has the pace he has the skill as a car developer, his down fall maybe his peoples skill's making it all happen. But on the whole if every one at Ferrari embraces him he could make it happen.
I'm not enthused. It will be interesting and disheartening to see in what manner Alonso manages to wreck this Ferrari team. Massa deserves much better than him.
Actually, I'm overjoyed. Considering the economic climate the timing couldn't be better. I'll save quite a bit of money over the next 3 years by not having to buy any Ferrari merchandise...
