F1 news silly season or not???

[peter]

Well after the last weekends goings on it looks like it could be all change.
Alsono on his way out at the end of the season.

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2645179,00.html

Now that would not surprise me. He has not been happy there or so it seems from what we read.

Now I see Ferrari are after Hamilton. A nice jump in pay for the lad if he wants it. He may even go there with the championship in his back pocket. So Ferrari would be even more happy.

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2644315,00.html

[coupekid]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

Well after the last weekends goings on it looks like it could be all change.
Alsono on his way out at the end of the season.

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2645179,00.html

Now that would not surprise me. He has not been happy there or so it seems from what we read.

Now I see Ferrari are after Hamilton. A nice jump in pay for the lad if he wants it. He may even go there with the championship in his back pocket. So Ferrari would be even more happy.

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...644315,00.html

I am hardly suprised!

What would be rather good (but highly unlikely) is to have Button take his place, for an all-british line up.

[peter]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

The thing is Button is tied to Honda for next season already. Like they said in the show at the weekend his value has gone down a bit after the button gate saga.

[Bearface]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

It's interesting, sensational stuff, but it's curious that both the ITV F1 and the official F1 websites have yet to make any similar claims in their news sections. I just wonder what or who the sources are...

Alonso has behaved pretty badly this season, which is probably because he hadn't anticipated joining one of the top two teams (as the reigning world champion), only to discover that his newbie team-mate is more talented and faster than he is. Back at Renault he only had Fisichella to contend with, which was never an issue because Fisi is inconsistent and rarely super-quick, so it's no surprise to hear that he'd like to go back to his old team. From what I hear, Pat Symonds would welcome him back with open arms. He'd be welcome to him, as far as I'm concerned...

TBH, I can't see him (Alonso) heading to Ferrari, as has been rumoured. He's not as quick as Raikonnen and Ferrari have historially avoided employing drivers of similar skill / talent for the very reasons the McLaren team is now nursing a collective headache; Massa can be quick and he's definitely committed, but more than anything he's a team player and will support Raikonnen when called to. Alonso would never play that game; let's face it he doesn't even like playing on a level playing field against Hamilton...

Hamilton is very much a McLaren man. He seems to feel that he owes Ron a debt of gratitude and he's stated several times that he'd love to race for McLaren for the duration of his F1 career. That said, even if he wanted to depart to Ferrari - which I doubt - Ron would probably make it very difficult, perhaps impossible. He's invested an awful lot in Lewis and he isn't going to see that investment (or that incredible raw talent) go wondering off to another team, especially not McLaren's main rivals, with whom they're currently embroiled in a potentially explosive legal wrangle. It ain't gonna happen...

[peter]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

I have seen it all now. Alosno has sent a letter to dear Deidre in the sun. Here is is a small snippet from the letter as written.

Now he as overtaken me in Senor Dennis's affections and the boss says he can win all the time.
Is not easy for me, Deidre because I was thee favorite, si? Now I is like the neglected bull. Left out to pasture and told not to drive fast.

[Bearface]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

[lumix]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

Tim I pretty much agree with all you have said above but feel you have over looked one important point. Hamilton is very much a McLaren man. He seems to feel that he owes Ron a debt of gratitude and he's stated several times that he'd love to race for McLaren for the duration of his F1 career. Do you not think that Hamilton himself is as surprised he is doing so well as every one else. He obviously made that statement some time ago before he relised his own real talent and I believe he did so to secure a future in F1. I strongly believe that if the carrot is big enough he will go for it. I'm hoping he dose stay with McLaren. Hope Big Ron can afford him.

[Bearface]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

Tim I pretty much agree with all you have said above but feel you have over looked one important point.

"Hamilton is very much a McLaren man. He seems to feel that he owes Ron a debt of gratitude and he's stated several times that he'd love to race for McLaren for the duration of his F1 career."

Do you not think that Hamilton himself is as surprised he is doing so well as every one else. He obviously made that statement some time ago before he relised his own real talent and I believe he did so to secure a future in F1. I strongly believe that if the carrot is big enough he will go for it. I'm hoping he dose stay with McLaren. Hope Big Ron can afford him.

Well, I'm virtually certain Lewis knew how good he was prior to his first race in F1, as did Ron himself. He was known to be massively talented and supremely intelligent behind the wheel long before 2007, however people really started to take notice of his performances in GP2, where he showed himself to be something pretty special. Those in the know definitely had a very good feeling about him...

However, it's probably true that few expected him to win races, appear consistently on the podium.......and lead the championship! Whether he knew deep inside how successful he was going to be so early is quite another thing, but the lad's confidence and self-belief is huge, so it's certainly possible.

Does he feel differently about his commitment to Ron and McLaren now that he's a popular media figure and and F1 superstar? Well you've seen him on TV, and his maturity and level-headedness suggest that he's not the type to jump ship or be tempted by big cash offers. He knows that his stock is increasing daily and that Ron, now he's seen him perform beyond expectations, will pay him what he's worth in the coming seasons. TBH, I can only see him leaving McLaren if that doesn't happen, and given the value of Alonso's contract relative to his performances (and behaviour...), such a scenario seems unlikely. Ron'll pay him his due and Lewis will stay......at least for a couple more seasons. Both Ron and Lewis know they've landed on their feet with this arrangement; it's not likely to alter for the time being...

A fiver says I'm right

[lumix]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

You probably are so I won't risk a fiver. Even more so I hope you are right. I hate RED cars anyway.

[Bearface]

Re: F1 news silly season or not

You probably are so I won't risk a fiver. Even more so I hope you are right. I hate RED cars anyway.

Well I don't! Interestingly though, seeing some serious talent at McLaren (and no, I ain't talking about Fernando here...) has rekindled my support for them, which hasn't happened since Hakkinen was there. I still don't like Ron Dennis, but they're fielding a great car and Hamilton is one brilliant driver.

The idea of seeing Raikonnen and Lewis fighting for the title really exites me, as I think they're both massive talents with the potential to threaten even Schuey's record. There are some fun times ahead, I reckon

I'll make it a virtual fiver if you want?