WEBBER: Alonso And Hamilton Will Clash More In 2008

(from autosport)


Mark Webber predicts that the battle for this year's world championship will be even more heated than in 2007, with Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in different teams.

The Red Bull driver thinks that, in the fight around Kimi Raikkonen, Alonso and Hamilton are more likely to clash now that they're no longer team-mates.

"There was plenty of spice last year but I think it could be more fiery this season," he said in his BBC Sport column.

"It could actually get nastier because the gloves are off as the players are in different teams. Fernando can take the fight to Lewis, and there's a bit of friction there, while Kimi is the sort of guy who just gets on with it. It could be fascinating."

While Renault haven't consistently shown the speed to challenge Ferrari and McLaren in testing, Webber believes Alonso will still be able to mix it with Raikkonen and Hamilton.

"Renault aren't at the same pace as Ferrari and McLaren but I think Alonso will put the cat among the pigeons every now and then. He won't win the war, but some of the battles could get juicy."

But the Australian expects Ferrari to get off to the best start at Albert Park this weekend.

"McLaren look pretty quick in qualifying trim but Ferrari are definitely favourites for this weekend. They always seem to have an advantage in Melbourne so I think they'll start the season pretty strongly."

 

The Renault does not have the pace to mix it up. We may most likely see this "Mixing it up" between the two while Alonzo is being lapped.

 

The article is stating the obvious.. he most certainly won't do him any favours, that said it would surely apply to any driver he was racing, he is a win at all cost racer IMO .

But what is "mixing it" meant to mean crashing him out he surely wouldn't do that would he!!!

If he comes out guns blazin for Lewis which I doubt, the only winner will be Kimi..
And lets not forget he's got HK riding shot gun, he's gotta beat him first..

 

I believe by mid-season, if not before, the Renault will surprise. Alonso will podium. He may qualify on near empty petrol tanks just to be up front. That will create the potential issue mentoned by Webber not only for Hamilton, but for Kimi/Phil.

He also knows how to make his car as wide as a Hummer.

 

As I said Ron dont forget, I reckon there's more than one flying Finn now..

I can see your point though, I see some good racing in the case you posted..

 

You bet Steve, 2008 will not be boring.






Maybe I shouldn't have said that, did I jinx the season and the WDC will be a cakewalk for Ferrari (Phil of course)? I want to see some real racing, passing on track, fenders rubbing.

Maybe no fenders. What series are we talking about, I forget.

 

Well, Alonso is desperate for making a good impression at Ferrari... so maybe he thinks "helping" Kimi will improve his chances for a 2009 cockpit

 

The only way I see Alonzo on the podium is thru the heavy attrition of the front runners. And then Hamy will be a moot point. Pre-season testing has not been kind to Renault. I just don't think that the Renault will have the legs...but we will see...

 

Given that Hamilton beat him handily in F3 and GP2, that should not be much of an issue.

HK is another DC, in my opinion. He might have an occasional decent run in the McLaren but he does not quite have what it takes to get to the top.

 

Ted, I meant FA has to beat HK before he can have a stab at Lewis.

HK may surpise, but you maybe right long term though..not long now till we find out..

 

Here we go again, at this point, the fact that Hamilton beat HK in another series is what is moot. Were their cars equal? Maybe HK feels better in a Renaut F1? Or is Hamilton just really lucky with the equipment he gets? If anyone says they know, they are using hallucintory drugs.

I agree with you Steve, HK will surprise along with Trulli and Rosberg. I think they will all three podium this year.

 

Oops, my bad.

An interesting question will be can HK outperform Massa? Massa better hope not as he has failed to deliver the WCC for Ferrari for his first two seasons with the Scuderia (last year's WCC was earned in the courts, not on the track). Kimi should win teh WDC this year over Hamilton but will Massa be able to outpoint HK to bring Ferrari the Constructor's title. History says no.

 

Actually, I stand corrected on one point. HK lost to Nico Rosberg in 2005 while driving for Arden, one of the best teams in GP2. Hamilton won the following year, taking over Nico's seat, beating Piquet Jr. So to answer the question, they were both in top teams. HK lost the title in 2005, Hamilton won it in 2006. I was mistaken over which Renault rookie it was that Hamilton defeated.

Getting back to your original point, Hamilton has made a career out of winning any series he enters. Lots of drivers have top flight equipment and do nothing with it (DC? Massa?) others take advantage of every opportunity they get and win. In this sport, the cream rises to the top...unless your manager is Nicholas Todt...then you might not actually need talent to get a top drive...

 

Considering that Fisichella beat Massa when they were at Sauber, and Hekki began to leave Fisichella behind as the 07 season went on, I'd pick Heikki. Ask yourself, do you honestly think Ron Dennis would hire Felipe Massa? The thought of that actually makes me smile. If the Mclaren is competitive enough, then I see many podiums to have one Ferrari driver, and two Mclaren drivers. Kimi, Lewis and Heikki, just like Michael, Mika and David.

 

Not a chance.