posted Dec 4, 2008

Over the last year, Fernando has regained a lot of respect that was lost during his spell with McLaren. Indeed it would be great for the sport of Renault gave him a title challenging car. We haven't had a proper 3 team shoot out for the WDC in many years, and the added history between Lewis and Alonso would make for fantastic entertainment.
While I think Lewis is the overall better driver, he and McLaren seem to lack in race tactics. One thing we got used to with Schumi was his and Brawn's fantastic ability to turn a bad race around with some ridiculous pit stop timing. And we've seen glimpses of that from Ferando this year.
And if Fernando leaves F1 it won't survive. Not because he's leaving it, but because it will not be F1 anymore. Its always been about creating the best car, and then finding the best driver for it. Not the other way around. If cost cutting measures are to come in I would prefer it if they took the third option and provided the lower teams with the drivetrain for under 5mil.
So here's to what should be another fantastic year in F1. And there is one man who I think may cause an upset this year if his team get there act together. Jenson Button. All though we'll find out I'm wrong about that in January testing probably.

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posted Dec 4, 2008

The comment about F1 not surviving without Alonso is absolute nonsense. I personally think F1 will be better without him, Alonso has an over inflated ego. Winning two consecutive WDC's two years ago was an acheivement but no extaordinary feat. He was not the first driver to do so and neither will he be tha last. Alonso, like Shumacher was, is only as competitive as his car, he will not survive on a level playing field and he knows it. New F1 drivers are becomming younger and so are the new breed of WDC contenders. In terms WDC comepetitive age I think he is getting on a bit, he knows it and so does the other teams. Because lets face it apart from Renault and Honda no other team- Ferarri, Toyota or BMW were falling over their feet to offer him a drive after his Mclaren Fiasco. Alonso is a liabilty

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posted Dec 4, 2008

So Fernando may quit is its not standard engines and Ferrari may quit if it is standard engines....

see ya Fernando.

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posted Dec 4, 2008

This is the most sensible thing he's said, that I can ever remember! Of course we don't want to lose a great racing driver, but I wish others would say the same sort of thing and drill out accountants from the sport. Max Moseley has no idea at all - because he simply does not understand engineering.

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posted Dec 4, 2008

comment by jayzeejz (U13254910)
“While I think Lewis is the overall better driver, he and McLaren seem to lack in race tactics. One thing we got used to with Schumi was his and Brawn's fantastic ability to turn a bad race around with some ridiculous pit stop timing. And we've seen glimpses of that from Ferando this year.
And if Fernando leaves F1 it won't survive. Not because he's leaving it, but because it will not be F1 anymore. Its always been about creating the best car, and then finding the best driver for it. Not the other way around.”

Correct…

And now we can add to that that Ross Brawn is in Honda and surely they are planning something for 2009 too. The beauty of F1 for me is not only the best driver or the best car, but also a lot of people behind the doors and out of the direct spotlight – engineers, technicians, mechanics, etc. That’s why in F1 we still say TEAMS.

They introduced A1 Grand Prix, Championships, etc – with the same cars, just different drivers, and hoped that only the pure ability of the driver will bring us to watch the races. But for me those are not real races – and F1 competition, teams participating, cars, engines, drivers, characters even… have more to offer.

We will see how it is in 2009. And if they decide to introduce just one standard engine for all teams / cars then I may start only watching old races. There will be plenty of years to watch and be involved in again – so we F1 fans – will always find a way to entertain ourselves with proper and competitive races, teams, cars, drivers…Will bring the old times back!

We will see what the plans are for 2010, but one standard engine is not only a bit boring but also definitely the competition will be of an average character and surely no further developments on the cars. The “death” of the entire team’s structure for me. No tactics, etc. Just no real competition.

You see what happened when F1 customised the tyre supplier. Years ago there was a competition between Michelin and Bridgestone too. Wow, was interesting a lot though.

Hm, F1 was a very complicated and interesting sport. For the insiders.

But first let’s see 2009. It is interesting from now even. When it starts?! – In March?!…Too long to wait.

But it will come in 3 , 4 months time.

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posted Dec 4, 2008

Alonso has an over inflated ego. Winning two consecutive WDC's two years ago was an acheivement but no extaordinary feat.

= = = = = = = = = = =

Agree with the first comment, totally disagree with the second. Winning two consecutive championships was an exceptional feat and Alonso can rightly be mentioned among the best drivers of all time. I wouldn't put him in the genius category (Senna, Clark) but he's firmly in there with the rest of them.

..and before you reply, no - I'm not a fan. The ego thing and his constant whining are too much to take. I won't miss him if he wasn't in F1 - but that shouldn't mean he wasn't good. He was.

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posted Dec 4, 2008

..and before you reply, no - I'm not a fan. The ego thing and his constant whining are too much to take. I won't miss him if he wasn't in F1 - but that shouldn't mean he wasn't good. He was.

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Thats pretty much how I sum up Alonso as well, and you have to say he tends to be his own worst enemy at times with some right gaffs when interviewed.

But he does process a very, very good driving head. For me to start liking him again (yes i used to) he just needs to keep his head down and let his driving do the talking.

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posted Dec 4, 2008

Thats pretty much how I sum up Alonso as well, and you have to say he tends to be his own worst enemy at times with some right gaffs when interviewed.
____________________________________________

I agree with you there WDC Hamilton.

But name an F1 driver that doesnt make gaffes in interviews?

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posted Dec 4, 2008

to the guy who said Renault is going to benefit for allowing modifications in their engine, he must know:
1) When ALL engines were frozen 2 years ago, renault was one of the most reliable and best engines (WDC 2005 * 2006).
2) If all engines were frozen, how come renault engine is not as good as McClaren or Ferrari as it was 2 years ago?

The answer to this is that FIA make an exception to "touch" the engines, and that was to improve safety and reduce cost.
That's what Ferrari & McClaren has done. Amazingly also they gain a few horse powers on the way.
That's the reason why FIA is going to allow Renault to "touch" his engine.

So there is no Berni-Flavio amigos-let-me-do-this-or-that, the true is that renault kept his engine frozen during this last year (even firing loads of people from the engine department) and Ferrari and McClaren kept improving their engine for "safety reasons and to reduce costs". Same thing Renault is going to do that.

But of course, the anti-alonso are blinde and still will think that all this is non-sense.

Well, prepare yourself, if last year without a good engine renault finish how it finished, cannot think what FA would do next year.

And at the end of Championship there is no luck if you win 2 gp. Luck is for one race not for the whole championship.

Hamilton=4gp with a McClaren
Alonso= 2gp with a RENAULT
Kimi and the other Mcclaren= 1 gp

you read it as you prefer, but is really clear who is the alchimist.

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posted Dec 6, 2008

fernando is confident because he has noticed that with slicks he can attack the corners the way he likes. with the grooved bridgestones he had to change his driving style. kimi will benefift immensely from this too.

maybe now they can step up their game and give lewis a hard time.

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