Monday, November 05, 2007
A Long So Goodbye
I return from my holiday to Rome and check SofaF1 to see if anything exciting has happened in Formula 1 and it looks like nothing much has been happening. In fact the most exciting thing that has happened in the world of Formula One is that one of the writers of the popular F1 blog has written a book (is that enough of a plug? No? I WROTE A BOOK BUY IT NOW!!!) but clearly nothing much in the world of F1. But wait a moment, what is this?
Alonso has left McLaren! Finally Ron and Alonso have seen sense and all is right in the world. But where will he go?
The rumours say that he'll go to Toyota if they can hire Ross Brawn. If that doesn't happen he'll go to Renault for a one year contract. But heikki has said he won't race as a number two.
This leaves Flav with a bit of a problem. If he signs Alonso for a one year contract and then after that year he leaves then where will Renault be? Nelson Piquet Jr. wanted to jump in Trulli's car by mid season so there's a risk he'll leave if Alonso makes him wait (surely Alonso wants Fisi back as his wing man).
There have been a growing number of rumours about Red Bull as a home. Perhaps it would fit, they've got the money and their car did seem to be quicker at the end of the season. I don't think Alonso has ever raced in an unreliable car (although I'm guessing the Minardi wasn't too hot) and so it would be interesting to see if the switch to Red Bull made the Red Bull more competitive or not.
Or perhaps he'll go to Williams. I'm sure McLaren would be happy to take Nico Rosberg off their hands. And although people are saying that Alonso needs a lot of money maybe that's not true. He just wants somebody to put faith in him. With Williams the faith would have to be reciprocal. If Alonso goes to Williams it will be the hand of Senna that will have guided him there.
But what do you think will happen? Comments please, and why not vote in the first pole of the 2008 season!
Alonso has left McLaren! Finally Ron and Alonso have seen sense and all is right in the world. But where will he go?
The rumours say that he'll go to Toyota if they can hire Ross Brawn. If that doesn't happen he'll go to Renault for a one year contract. But heikki has said he won't race as a number two.
This leaves Flav with a bit of a problem. If he signs Alonso for a one year contract and then after that year he leaves then where will Renault be? Nelson Piquet Jr. wanted to jump in Trulli's car by mid season so there's a risk he'll leave if Alonso makes him wait (surely Alonso wants Fisi back as his wing man).
There have been a growing number of rumours about Red Bull as a home. Perhaps it would fit, they've got the money and their car did seem to be quicker at the end of the season. I don't think Alonso has ever raced in an unreliable car (although I'm guessing the Minardi wasn't too hot) and so it would be interesting to see if the switch to Red Bull made the Red Bull more competitive or not.
Or perhaps he'll go to Williams. I'm sure McLaren would be happy to take Nico Rosberg off their hands. And although people are saying that Alonso needs a lot of money maybe that's not true. He just wants somebody to put faith in him. With Williams the faith would have to be reciprocal. If Alonso goes to Williams it will be the hand of Senna that will have guided him there.
But what do you think will happen? Comments please, and why not vote in the first pole of the 2008 season!
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Rumours are suggesting that the clause in Alonso's exit deal says he can't race for a constructor backed team. Which would mean Williams or Red Bull as the only viable options.
Frank Williams has said that the day he sells Rosberg will be the day he sells the team. And I don't think Alonso/Rosberg would be a very condusive pairing...
Frank Williams has said that the day he sells Rosberg will be the day he sells the team. And I don't think Alonso/Rosberg would be a very condusive pairing...
I have no idea what Alonso's going to do. The whole thing seems really absurd. How bad must things have got at McLaren? I thought the media were inventing a lot, but perhaps not.
Anyway, I'm guessing the reason for the delay in an announcement is that Alonso himself just isn't sure. There aren't any good seats open. Really, the best thing is to go back to Renault, but that would involve swallowing a lot of pride, which may be hard for him. Everything he ever said about why he was leaving Renault will be reeled out in front of him again. That's going to be painful.
Toyota could be good, but then that's what Ralf thought several years ago. Williams and Red Bull are dangerous gambles.
Anyway, I'm guessing the reason for the delay in an announcement is that Alonso himself just isn't sure. There aren't any good seats open. Really, the best thing is to go back to Renault, but that would involve swallowing a lot of pride, which may be hard for him. Everything he ever said about why he was leaving Renault will be reeled out in front of him again. That's going to be painful.
Toyota could be good, but then that's what Ralf thought several years ago. Williams and Red Bull are dangerous gambles.
What about Prodrive?, I know i've been banging this drum for a while and no one has been taking much notice, but theres no need to leave it out of the vote!
Well the only problem is that that is the total number of slots I'm allowed. So I had to make a sacrifice. I really don't think prodrive is going to be on the grid next year.
But I also don't think Alonso is going to be at Super Aguri either so I've swapped it out.
But I also don't think Alonso is going to be at Super Aguri either so I've swapped it out.
No one's considering BMW much. I'm guessing that's the team, aside from Ferrari, Alonso would most like to go to (after all they finished 3rd). The problem is the drivers there are fairly settled. Will BMW risk it just to annoy their rivals Mercedes?
I don't think BMW would be interested to be honest.
The thing I like about BMW is that they seem to be fairer and more decent than most.
They even gave JV a fair crack of the whip when they inherited him.
The thing I like about BMW is that they seem to be fairer and more decent than most.
They even gave JV a fair crack of the whip when they inherited him.
What I meant was that that means they wouldn't be willing to drop Nick or Robert for somebody who they might well feel was disloyal to his team.
I think so too. But then that was always Sauber's way, and they never got anywhere in the championship. Maybe BMW are thinking they need to take risks now to make that next step?
I'd feel really sorry for Coulthard/Webber if Alonso goes to Red Bull. Neither of them have done anything wrong. Being kicked out would be bad, but having to be Alonso's team-mate might be even worse!
I'd feel really sorry for Coulthard/Webber if Alonso goes to Red Bull. Neither of them have done anything wrong. Being kicked out would be bad, but having to be Alonso's team-mate might be even worse!
If you were Alonso and had a say in who your team mate was I think you'd pick Coulthard to be the man (he's experienced and he's wise enough to know what's going on). But actually Webber was quite supportive of Alonso all season (I think he doesn't get on with Lewis very well). I hope Alonso realises that being supportive is far easier to do when you're not in the same team. That will evaporate and Webber will be moaning to the press all of the time.
But yes it would be unfair, the best would be to see him go to Toyota. I'd like to see somebody turn that super-tanker of a team around, and he's be taking a spare seat. And Trulli would be a good team mate.
But yes it would be unfair, the best would be to see him go to Toyota. I'd like to see somebody turn that super-tanker of a team around, and he's be taking a spare seat. And Trulli would be a good team mate.
Strange goings on at Toyota...
Toytoa have signed Glock away from his testing duty at BMW - it's not specified if this is for a drive or not.
At first it seems that Glock wouldn't have rocked the boat with BMW for just another test drive. But on the other hand Nick and Robert look pretty solidly at BMW (I mean Alonso might knock one of them out but not an unknown like Glock).
Either he's got the drive or Toyota are signing Alonso and have offered Glock a guaranteed drive after Trulli retires next year. Or of course none of the above!
Toytoa have signed Glock away from his testing duty at BMW - it's not specified if this is for a drive or not.
At first it seems that Glock wouldn't have rocked the boat with BMW for just another test drive. But on the other hand Nick and Robert look pretty solidly at BMW (I mean Alonso might knock one of them out but not an unknown like Glock).
Either he's got the drive or Toyota are signing Alonso and have offered Glock a guaranteed drive after Trulli retires next year. Or of course none of the above!
One of the most interesting theories is...
Alonso has signed with Ferrari for 2009, but is unable to sign with a constructor team for the next year (because of a McLaren clause) and was in talks with Williams and Red Bull / Or can't sign a two year contract because of this which means no constructors anyway. Williams wasn't interested and so Red Bull it is, just for one year. The theory being that they would have had to have shaken up their line up next year anyway so it makes no odds.
Alonso has signed with Ferrari for 2009, but is unable to sign with a constructor team for the next year (because of a McLaren clause) and was in talks with Williams and Red Bull / Or can't sign a two year contract because of this which means no constructors anyway. Williams wasn't interested and so Red Bull it is, just for one year. The theory being that they would have had to have shaken up their line up next year anyway so it makes no odds.
Webber seems to have soured over the years. I think he's very bitter about not having gone to Renault at the right time...
Nigel Robuck thinks it will be Pedro de la Rosa next to Lewis next year. Santander will need a Spanish driver.
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