Alonso joins Ferrari for £20m a year?

[Kylehnat]

I'll point to his move on Raikkonen at Monza. He was clearly faster, but still thought it wise to do a banzai maneuver, losing control in the process. Had an unsuspecting Kimi turned in normally, they both would have been out. That's the kind of thing we wouldn't have seen earlier in the year. My favorite drive of Hamilton's was in Malaysia, when he very cleverly defended against a hot-headed Massa, then pulled away. That was good driving. Since, his feeling of invincibility has grown, which will lead to bad driving. China was his first punishment for unintelligent driving. We'll see how he recovers.

 

[Casio]

Not to slight his Fuji drive (which was better than Senna AND Prost combined) but Heikki Kovalainen started 11th and finished 2nd with a dry setup. This suggests that 1)Hamilton wasn't the only one who drove well and 2)there was a lot of crazy 🤬 going on behind him the whole time which might have made things easier for him.

His 'Fuji drive' came down to the fact that he was in front the whole time and didn't deal with any spray. We saw numerous times when drivers pitted at the start they could match the front runners lead until they got caught in the spray. We also saw how Hamiltion pitted and was in the pack and then lost like 30 or so seconds to Webber and I think Kovalainen when they were in the lead with no spray to deal with.

 

[KSaiyu]

I'll point to his move on Raikkonen at Monza. He was clearly faster, but still thought it wise to do a banzai maneuver, losing control in the process. Had an unsuspecting Kimi turned in normally, they both would have been out. That's the kind of thing we wouldn't have seen earlier in the year. My favorite drive of Hamilton's was in Malaysia, when he very cleverly defended against a hot-headed Massa, then pulled away. That was good driving. Since, his feeling of invincibility has grown, which will lead to bad driving. China was his first punishment for unintelligent driving. We'll see how he recovers.

Good example, he was definetly lucky that Kimi was in that car and not someone else.

 

[darkfinal]

He’s also had to beat a double world champion, which he is doing quite comfortably. In 16 races he’s had two significant mistakes (rookie mistakes, admittedly) which have resulted in 0 points. Alonso has had 1 significant mistake which resulted in 0 points and a reliability problem which caused him to qualify 10th.

And some stupid SC rules that forced Alonso to pit in with the Safety Car on the road and earned him a Stop&Go in Canada, along with some more issues, and made him loose a good six or eight points.

It's funny how De la Rosa said a day later that Alonso was supposed to stop two laps before Hamilton, but the team, after watching Kubica's accident, decided to put Hamilton in instead of Alonso, so he would be harmed one. Equality? Mhmm.

 

[Blake]

Hamilton was ahead and had a better chance of winning the race…

 

[darkfinal]

True, but then Hamilton fans were complaining about what happened in Monaco.

Also...

John L Sharp's view of Fernando vs Lewis

EG writes: John L Sharp drives a Ferrari, supports Ferrari and reads this blog. A disinterested observer then. Here is his analysis of the key moments of the season which he sent in as a comment and reply to Chris.

MONACO: where this muddle started. Team orders were issued (to slow down) to preserve the engine for the next race (when Alonso, after 2nd pit stop had a +10sec advantage on Hamilton and close to 1 min on Massa). Alonso limited his car rpm down to 17000 rpm. Hamilton "failed" to listen and his complaint initiated an FIA investigation. No foul play. Alonso faster than Hamilton!

INDIANAPOLIS: No orders were given to reduce rpms. Alonso was undoubtedly faster than Hamilton. Alonso tried just once to overtake Hamilton. Failed, but his reaction in the following lap suggested that maybe, just maybe, he was stopped from trying again by team orders. At least this would have been the consensus amongst English press should that have happened the other way round!! Alonso did not "request" the FIA to investigate what to everyone's eyes was more suspicious than what had "happened" in MONACO. Yes, Hamilton won the US GP (but Alonso outpaced Hamilton there!)And this includes all way throughout Q1, Q2 and Q3, until the very last extra flying lap (as also occurred previously in Canada).And we know that this season, apart from when there is a mechanical failure or significant human error, P1 is equivalent to victory (that's why enjoying that extra flying lap in Q3 is soooo important - with less fuel)

MAGNY-COURS: mechanical problems for Alonso with the gear change system and suspension hydraulics or electronics. I can't remember now. No foul play. Probably bad luck?. Hamilton faster than Alonso!

SILVERSTONE: pole for Hamilton (this was clearly planned to satisfy British supporters). We know what happened after. Alonso faster than Hamilton!

NURBURGRING: Hamilton's incident. Alonso had the same problem with his car. Only he was luckier. I could not compare performances as Hamilton may have been physically in a poorer condition. But I have to give Alonso the benefit of the doubt in this one. Alonso faster than Hamilton!

HUNGARORING: the second incident. Naughty boys (both Hamilton and Alonso)! Alonso actually was faster when he did his best lap (faster than Hamilton with same fuel loads). Of course, Hamilton intentions were to steal Alonso's extra lap knowing than P1= Victory in here. He wanted to enjoy that extra flying lap (and with less fuel load) so it was likely he could have improved Alonso's lap. But on equal levels of fuel Alonso was faster. And do not forget, it was Alonso’s turn to enjoy the extra flying lap (Hamilton prevented him from doing so). FIA sanction absolutely inappropriate. Hamilton should now have 2 points less and Alonso 5 more (as surely Alonso would have won that race and Hamilton would have finished 2nd or third). Unfortunately for Alonso, the "judges" were a British, a German and a Chinese (it is like having an English referee in the World Cup Final between England and Spain - biased decision!). Curiously same British guy that investigated the Japanese SC mess.

TURKEY: relatively bad luck for Hamilton. Maybe he was pushing too hard and not looking after his tyres properly. Relatively because luckily for him, the tyre burst two or three corners before pit entry so he was able to finish 5th. However, Hamilton was faster!

MONZA: Alonso faster. As simple as that!

SPA: Alonso faster. As simple as that! Poisonous strategy (Hamilton 5 extra laps 2nd stint). Not investigated by FIA. Hamilton's lack of speed prevented him from overtaking Alonso. Naughty Ron .

JAPAN: Alonso's accident. Difficult weather conditions! Erratic driving behind SC. FIA does not sanction Hamilton. Abnormal real tyre pressures after 1st pit stop. Overinflation. However, let's say that Hamilton was faster than Alonso, and luckier!

CHINA: Alonso faster than Hamilton, except Q3 by 0.6 sec! Tyre pressures used in Q3 appear to be overheated causing increase of pressure, measured at 1.5 psi - normally 0.2 psi. Max Mosley and FIA are aware of this and highly suspicious. Foul play, however, would be difficult to prove. Hamilton faster in Q3, but is that real or due to some sort of manipulation? The race as expected. From P1 usually you will maintain the momentum (independently of who you are). Poor tyre treatment: Hamilton was clearly abusing intermediate tyres, driving over dried tarmac, overheating and gradually destroying them. Yes, you get more speed that way but the life span greatly diminishes. And he paid for it. Bad luck, though.

FINALLY: There have been circuits were Alonso has been clearly faster during free practice, Q1, Q2 and most of Q3 until the very last lap, when Hamilton with the extra flying lap (less fuel, do not forget) has secured P1 –. The Team, since Canada, has been clearly helping strategically Hamilton's interests and Alonso is not stupid and realises that. One now wonders whether a “magic” hand has been playing little tricks on Alonso. Nothing surprises me these days.

CONCLUSION: Maybe everybody was expecting Alonso to run easily away with the title. However, once the Team realised that Hamilton was very good, strategy changed to silently benefit/favour the McLaren breed driver. Proof for this is that the number of extra flying laps that Hamilton has enjoyed is 7 against 2 of Alonso (at the beginning of the season). And after Brazil it surely will be 8 against 2. And we know that overtaking is not easy these days (so there are huge team interests on securing P1, and surely this is the aim of McLaren for Hamilton in Brazil). This can be achieved by giving Hamilton once more the extra flying lap and if he struggles, maybe overcooking certain drivers rubber.

Equality is a nice word, but from now on it sounds to me like pathological thinking coming from Ron's mouth.

I just can’t imagine how difficult it has been for Alonso to keep focused (and I could extend on the psychological war launched by McLaren against Alonso after Monza, including Hamilton's comments (always under the protection of Ron).

If you ask me, I would love to see Kimi Raikonnen getting this one. But if Alonso wins, no doubt it will be a great and well-deserved achievement. Frankly, if Kimi fails, I would enjoy Alonso clinching this one.

I do not trust Ron, I do not trust McLaren, I do not trust Hamilton.
And the last stupid comments (by Ron Dennis) reinforce my well established, deep-rooted opinion.

And yes, I support Ferrari (and luckily for me, I even drive one)

Brazil, here I come!!

I fully agree with this guy. I was missing this kind of un-biased reviews.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/formula_one/2007/10/john-l-sharps-v.html

 

[Diego440]

Wow, that's a really good article.. everyone at work had me translate it and posted on the bulletin oard!

 

[Skid Mark 33]

Wow, brilliant post. Lots of good information. +rep

 

[<_Spike_>]

Will you still like Hamilton when he shows his true colors? He's already showing signs of assholeish-ness, and there have been plenty of times when he's looked very insincere.

If he turns out to be a whining, back stabbing little black-mailer who can't handle being beaten like a man...my opinion will most likely change, until then, as with Alonso, no reason to think otherwise

On a side note...a little interview for Fernando

The Modena magistrate investigating the Stepneygate scandal in Italy conducted a two-hour interview with McLaren driver Fernando Alonso on Tuesday.

Giuseppe Tibis spoke to the double World Champion as a potential witness and "a person in knowledge of the facts" in the ongoing spy saga.

Tibis has broadened his investigation with a number of McLaren employees under scrutiny in an Italian criminal case against former Ferrari employee Nigel Stepney.

Email

The Spaniard was asked questions about the email correspondence between himself and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa which allegedly contained evidence that Stepney had leaked Ferrari intellectual property to McLaren's then-chief designer Mike Coughlan.

"New developments are always possible," Tibis told reporters after the interview.

In a separate sporting tribunal, McLaren were hit with a record $100 million last month after being found guilty of spying on rivals Ferrari.

 

[Kylehnat]

If he turns out to be a whining, back stabbing little black-mailer who can't handle being beaten like a man...my opinion will most likely change, until then, as with Alonso, no reason to think otherwise

I guarantee you Hamilton is just as graceless in defeat as Alonso is. If Alonso takes the championship in Sao Paulo, you will see this.

 

[peterjford]

I guarantee you Hamilton is just as graceless in defeat as Alonso is. If Alonso takes the championship in Sao Paulo, you will see this.

Well in that case, how about Kimi wins (the championship) and we can compare them to each other in defeat?

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Well in that case, how about Kimi wins (the championship) and we can compare them to each other in defeat?

Alonso would probably just be happy Hamilton didn't win.

 

[Kylehnat]

^Bullseye.

 

[Blake]

Umm, that article is supposed to be unbiased?

I do not trust Ron, I do not trust McLaren, I do not trust Hamilton.
And the last stupid comments (by Ron Dennis) reinforce my well established, deep-rooted opinion.

But wait&#8230;

John L Sharp drives a Ferrari, supports Ferrari and reads this blog. A disinterested observer then. Here is his analysis of the key moments of the season which he sent in as a comment and reply to Chris.

I thought unbiased meant not having a well-established deep-rooted opinion to begin with? Which he clearly has when trying to make his points.

MONACO: Alonso faster than Hamilton!

So even though Alonso had Hamilton on his gearbox for the measure of the race Alonso was still outpacing Hamilton? Okay, great, so that&#8217;s sorted. Whoever finishes the race first was faster and having extra speed in your pocket means nothing.

INDIANAPOLIS: Hamilton won the US GP (but Alonso outpaced Hamilton there!)

But wait, Hamilton finished the race first. I thought we just decided that having extra speed in your pocked meant nothing&#8230;

MONACO: Alonso limited his car rpm down to 17000 rpm. Hamilton "failed" to listen

References? I don&#8217;t recall any articles stating that an order was given to reduce RPMs and Hamilton then ignored it.

SILVERSTONE: pole for Hamilton (this was clearly planned to satisfy British supporters). We know what happened after. Alonso faster than Hamilton!

So he says Hamilton was given light fuel in quali to please the Brits, but fails to mention the fact that he was raped in the race by having 4 less laps fuel than Alonso? That&#8217;s at least a 6 second disadvantage in those 4 laps on different fuel loads. But yes, Alonso still much faster that day.

SPA: Poisonous strategy (Hamilton 5 extra laps 2nd stint). Not investigated by FIA.

Wait, we just ignored ****ty strategy last time. Why is it an issue now?

HUNGARORING: Alonso actually was faster when he did his best lap (faster than Hamilton with same fuel loads).

Now that is plain wrong. Hamilton was 0.8 faster in Q1, 0.3 faster in Q2. He was also faster when they both came in for their final stops of qualifying. Alonso kept Lewis waiting and then had his lap on lighter fuel (only 0.1 faster than Lewis&#8217;s previous lap on heavier fuel) while Lewis couldn&#8217;t make it to the line in time.

Lewis clearly faster.

HUNGARORING: Hamilton should now have 2 points less and Alonso 5 more (as surely Alonso would have won that race and Hamilton would have finished 2nd or third).

Surely, because we&#8217;ve somehow established that Alonso was faster than Lewis despite being slower in Q1 and Q2 and finishing in P4 overhauling only 2 cars in 70 laps despite the fact that he is apparently the fastest on the circuit. Nice.

HUNGARORING: FIA sanction absolutely inappropriate.

Hmm, I like how he left that point without justification. Alonso ruined Lewis&#8217;s qualifying the FIA ruined Alonso&#8217;s.

JAPAN: Erratic driving behind SC. FIA does not sanction Hamilton.

But of course Lewis deserves to be punished, doesn&#8217;t he? The FIA has their heads up their asses and let Lewis off because he&#8217;s British.

MONACO: his complaint initiated an FIA investigation. No foul play.

But their judgement here was completely appropriate? Why is there no justification for any opinions here?

SPA: Poisonous strategy (Hamilton 5 extra laps 2nd stint). Not investigated by FIA.

Again. Why should it have been investigated by the FIA anyway?

TURKEY: relatively bad luck for Hamilton. Maybe he was pushing too hard and not looking after his tyres properly.

Of course he was pushing too hard. It is the only explanation that makes any sense.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I thought unbiased meant not having a well-established deep-rooted opinion to begin with? Which he clearly has when trying to make his points.

Ain't irony a b!tch?

 

[Blake]

I never said I was unbiased. I&#8217;m just saying that they guy who wrote that also is clearly biased and is trying to show himself as an independent observer who doesn&#8217;t care either way. Oh, and he&#8217;s also writing a fair bit of mis-information, so&#8230;

 

[Diego440]

Blake, you're being a smartass... don't nitpick everything people say, it just makes you look bad.

 

[<_Spike_>]

Despite the fact he makes several points? Of course...whenever anyone makes a point it's just being a smart arse isn't it.

I have to say that honestly, in recent times Alonso is by far the sorest loser of the lot. Sure, we've seen Schumi and Kimi blow a fuse, but did either of those two try sabotage their own team's efforts or go to the lengths Alonso has? No...they tended to leave the track asap or lock themselves away for half an hour. At least Schumi usually kept his "naughties" to the track, not that I'm saying it was right anyway. The only saving grace for Fernando in that situation was that he at least realised his black-mail attempt was wrong and made a pretty late apology.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I guarantee you Hamilton is just as graceless in defeat as Alonso is. If Alonso takes the championship in Sao Paulo, you will see this.

That is a guarentee you already lost.

Apparently you did not see Alonso's reaction after his loss in Japan and you did not see Hamilton's reaction after his loss in China. Otherwise you would not have said that.

I'd also add that apparently you didn't see Alonso's reaction to losing in Hungary and Italy last year. It was an even greater contrast to Michael Schumacher's reaction to his DNF in Japan which cost him the championship... and yet just like Hamilton, instead of getting angry and blaming his team, Schumacher, like Hamilton in China, smiled and made sure his team knew he didn't blame them for the loss.

Alonso's bad attitude didn't start while at McLaren, and won't likely end any time soon.

I certainly respect Alonso for his skill, but I'd have to be extremely biased to even suggest he losses as gracefully as Hamilton, Kimi, Schumacher, or even most F1 drivers.

Alonso would probably just be happy Hamilton didn't win.

Which if true just goes to prove just how graceless Alonso is in losing, especially to his own teammate.

Umm, that article is supposed to be unbiased?

I thought unbiased meant not having a well-established deep-rooted opinion to begin with? Which he clearly has when trying to make his points.

*snip*

Well said! +REP

I like how the "author" did his best to try and suggest he wasn't unbiased by saying he is a Ferrari supporter... like that some how magically makes him unbiased, yet then goes on to disguise strongly worded subjective opinion as actual fact... which is a the hallmark of a biased opinion.

Of course, it's not surprising that the biggest Alonso supporter, who not surprisingly is from Spain, posted it, and the second biggest Alonso supporter, who is also from Spain, immediately proclaimed it to be a really good article.

If you want to talk "irony"...

I fully agree with this guy. I was missing this kind of un-biased reviews.

Blake, you're being a smartass... don't nitpick everything people say, it just makes you look bad.

Actually it makes him appear intelligent and capable of exposing biased opinions that are disguised as facts.

Despite the fact he makes several points? Of course...whenever anyone makes a point it's just being a smart arse isn't it.

Wells said Spike.

Unfortunately, Diego's remark is a common response from those that have no defense to factually based objective opinion that opposes their personal opinion.

I have to say that honestly, in recent times Alonso is by far the sorest loser of the lot.

I quite agree. I was a huge fan of Alonso in 2005. He was exciting, talented, and it was great to finally see someone really take the fight to Schummy and win! Unfortunately, since then it's been a pretty drastic downhill ride in the personality department since then.

If the '05 Alonso makes a reappearance next year I'll be the first to congratulate him and will be happy to once again be an Alonso fan! 👍

 

[<_Spike_>]

I'd gladly have him restore my reason to actually respect him again because it would be fantastic to actually see what he was in 05 back on the track again. And if he were in a different team, it could make a Massa - Kimi - Lewis - Fernando title battle in 08 all the more exciting

 

[Diego440]

Right, because nitppicking posts, arguing every letter placed in a certain order is a clear sign of higher intelligence.

Perhaps I should've used the PM system... I meant that overarguing a post that wasn't even posted on GTP makes people look bad.

But hey, my fault for posting here and not assuming my post was going to get subsequently nitpicked.

 

[mipuumal]

The german newspaper Bild is reporting that Fernando Alonso has signed a 3 year deal with Renault from 2008 onwards. However the deal is not yet finalized because Renault haven't made an arrangement with McLaren about how much they will pay them to let Alonso go.

Must be true since finally someone is reporting about it.

 

[<_Spike_>]

I wonder how Fernando would feel though...I mean...Renault need major improvements to challenge the top two next season if they remained as quick and reliable as they were this season...

Still...sounds like it could spell the end for Fisi in a Renault...Toyota perhaps?

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Which if true just goes to prove just how graceless Alonso is in losing, especially to his own teammate.

As if Hamilton wouldn't be happy if Alonso didn't win...

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Right, because nitppicking posts, arguing every letter placed in a certain order is a clear sign of higher intelligence.

No, but then again, Blake didn't do that now did he?

However, what does it tell you about someone who feels they must grossly exaggerate the facts, like suggesting anyone is arguing over every letter placed in a certain order. Hyperbolic posts is yet another sign of someone who doesn't have actual facts that convincingly support their opinion so they resort to making them up and or exaggerating them instead.

 

[Diego440]

However, what does it tell you about someone who feels they must grossly exaggerate the facts, like suggesting anyone is arguing over every letter placed in a certain order. Hyperbolic posts is yet another sign of someone who doesn't have actual facts that convincingly support their opinion so they resort to making them up and or exaggerating them instead.

I'm sorry, I don't resort to using long words to make myself look smart, but is that directed at me or at the original blog article?

The german newspaper Bild is reporting that Fernando Alonso has signed a 3 year deal with Renault from 2008 onwards. However the deal is not yet finalized because Renault haven't made an arrangement with McLaren about how much they will pay them to let Alonso go.

Must be true since finally someone is reporting about it.

It doesn't really say that. Don't worry, I went berserk when I saw it too. It says Fernando Alonso has signed a letter of intent to drive for Renault in 2008, which would mean a three-year contract there. However, he has to find someone to "buy out" his contract at McLaren or some way to pay McMerc for his contract and advertsing revenues... something I think no other team would be willing to pay for, especially since they'd have to additionally pay his contract separately.

 

[Kylehnat]

That is a guarentee you already lost.

Apparently you did not see Alonso's reaction after his loss in Japan and you did not see Hamilton's reaction after his loss in China. Otherwise you would not have said that.

Hamilton hasn't "lost" anything yet. He's still on the free-pass "I'm a rookie" circuit. If he loses the championship in Brazil, he will not put on a happy face. He thinks that the championship is his birthright (again, thanks the British press). He could keep a cool head in China because he knew he'd still be in the catbird seat no matter what happened. It certainly hurt his championship lead, but didn't screw it completely.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

If he loses the championship in Brazil, he will not put on a happy face. He thinks that the championship is his birthright

That is amazing how you know this for a fact.

He could keep a cool head in China because he knew he'd still be in the catbird seat no matter what happened. It certainly hurt his championship lead, but didn't screw it completely.

Except apparently that didn't help Alonso last year when he was still in the catbird seat, and yet was all to happy to show his anger towards his own team for his struggles in the second part of the season.

So no, I have yet to see a similar reaction from Hamilton like Alonso. Will Hamilton lose his cool and blame his team if he doesn't win the championship? I guess we will have to wait and see, but seeing as he has yet to do that with an individual race, unlike his current teammate, then I suspect he won't, but anything is possible.

It just sounded like you were suggesting that Hamilton has behaved the same way as Alonso after a loss… which is quite clearly not the case.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I wonder how Fernando would feel though...I mean...Renault need major improvements to challenge the top two next season if they remained as quick and reliable as they were this season...

Still...sounds like it could spell the end for Fisi in a Renault...Toyota perhaps?

Renault will be back where they were in 2006, if not, very close to the top. It sounds quite dumb, but with Alonso, both Renault and Mclaren became topteams. Especially Mclaren's level is rather strange, they were nowhere last year but with Alonso's arrival, they were at the the top from day 1. I wouldn't be surprised if Alonso managed to win in a Renault again next season...

 

[<_Spike_>]

If someone loses a Championship, who the hell WOULD put on a happy face? I sure as hell wouldn't be all happy happy joy joy if I didn't win the Championship on the final day.

I hope Renault are back up there, just for another fantastic open season between more than just two drivers.