Alonso leaves McLaren

[jeremytaylor]

Yes, he's left! (Hurray!).

No word of a replacement yet, but Rosberg and Kovalainen seem favourites.

 

[Alfie]

Yes, he's left! (Hurray!).

No word of a replacement yet, but Rosberg and Kovalainen seem favourites.

No surprise there then! Yipppeeeeeeeeeee.......

I hope he never gets another drive..........

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Certainly the way he's portrayed himself wouldn't make me want to give him a job if I were a competitive F1 team boss.

Of course they may see the real side of him - rather than just what's shown on TV and in print like we do - and so can make a better judgement.

Nonetheless he just doesn't come across as a team player. Whilst a cynic may say it's a veneer and all a show, Lewis does seem to be appreciative of his crew, at least when the cameras are around.

My perception is that Alonso believes he's won the championship twice because he's the best driver. My perception of Hamilton is that he almost won the championship because he's close to being the best driver, but he just plays a part in a much bigger team effort.

If you were in a crew - which one would you try hardest for?

For a less competitive team, they may be willing to take Alonso on for the expertise he'll bring with him. Heaven forbid he divulges anything he's learned during his time serving with other teams.

Note to Max - keep an eye on him.

 

[Rose Chap]

If I was an F1 boss I wouldn't give him a drive, but invariably someone will. Briatore will probably have him back in a heartbeat.

However, the most competive cars are the McLarens (he's obviously not going to be there), and the Ferraris (who have already confirmed their line up for next year), so whatever he drives he's unlikely to be challenging for the championship.

Oh dear what a pity.

 

[Ratz]

I don't know how you can all be so critical of such an honourable double world champion. He's been a victim of a ruthless campaign of backstabbing and knobbling from a young upstart with no talent.

NOT! :bannana:

 

[toby1]

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7074737.stm

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If he goes to Renault he'll stand a better chance of being competitive than Red Bull et al, but realistically, even in a Renault would he catch Massa or Kimi in a 'rrari?

There are lots of middle-ground players that are proving to be good drivers, and in cars that seem to be improving. He'll give Kubica something to aim for - and an athlete with a pace setter is almost always more successful than one without.

Of course if the changes for McLaren (worst pit space, etc) affects their competitiveness next season, he may also be fighting for position with Lewis again. Again, dicey given that he only drew level in the same car this year.

I don't think he'll win next year, and it will be increasingly difficult thereafter.

I think it's going to be an interesting season in 2008 - not for the title as Kimi and Massa really ought to be on the top two podium spots unless they really mess up the 2008 car.

The battles for the lowliest podium spot will be where it's at IMHO.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I wonder whether the Spanish sponsors will follow him?

 

[jeremytaylor]

I see MB Milton Keynes' online shop are already discounting 'Alonso' T-shirts.

I think they are only fit for landfill now, or maybe they could be cut down and make dust-clothes??

 

[e55]

Thank God hes gone.

Maybe he will threaten/blackmail another F1 team and try get a drive there !

 

[miro]

I see MB Milton Keynes' online shop are already discounting 'Alonso' T-shirts.

I think they are only fit for landfill now, or maybe they could be cut down and make dust-clothes??

That is why you should always make t-shirts out of the finest lint-free cotton. Then they are perfect for cleaning glass.

 

[miro]

Thank God hes gone.

Maybe he will threaten/blackmail another F1 team and try get a drive there !

Well he certainly can't offer any McLaren secrets can he !

 

[Mr E]

I wonder whether the Spanish sponsors will follow him?

You would expect that Dennis wouldn't shoot himself in the foot by getting rid of this guy:

"Dennis told Spanish media recently that all of McLaren's contracts with Spanish backers 'make no reference' to specific drivers.

He nonetheless travelled recently to Spain, and according to local newspapers dined and played golf with Emilio Botin, the boss of McLaren's biggest Spanish sponsor Santander, a banking group.

Another McLaren backer, the Madrid based insurance company Mutua Madrilena, had followed Alonso from Renault to McLaren at the end of the year, signing a long-term contract estimated at $8m per year.

Through quotes attributed to Alonso and Dennis, McLaren on Friday suggested that while the Spanish driver is departing, the sponsors are staying put.

The focus now moves to Alonso's next decision and with which team he will race for next season."

So little or no reliance on personal sponsorship bought by the driver, but a little schmoozing never goes amiss.

 

[Mr E]

One would also assume that tight non-disclosure agreements surround his release, especially as he goes with no financial penalties. However, this seems to go a bit far:

'"Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren," Alonso admitted after the separation had been announced, "but sometimes in life things do not work out. I continue to believe McLaren is a great team. Yes, we have had our ups and downs during the season, which has made it extra-challenging for all of us, and it is not a secret that I never really felt at home."

The 26-year-old admitted it had been a fractious year with the team - one he had believed back at the start would yield him his third straight championship title - but on his departure, he insisted he had always been treated as an equal to Hamilton.

"I know there have been suggestions of favouritism within the team and people say a lot of things in the heat of battle," he stated, "but in the end I was always provided with an equal opportunity to win. Today's decision allows all of us to focus on 2008, and I wish the team, Vodafone, Banco Santander, Mutua Madrileña and all the other team partners who I have worked closely with during the year, the best for the future." '

So all the nonsense this year, tantrums, bleatings, threats, etc, were all in the heat of the battle...

In the final analysis Alonso wanted out and Dennis had him squirming on a stick. He's bought his release with a statement that indicates he behaved like a spoiled child when up against it.

It will be interesting to see who will be LH's team-mate - and will he perform as well without the incentive of beating the current world champion in the same metal.

 

[Mr E]

Oh, and another Moseley snippet.....

He doesn't believe that the independent FIA Court of Appeal will find in McLaren's favour. Even if they do, he's as much as said that Hamilton won't be crowned Driver's Champion as the FIA have no obligation to reclassify the results following a Court of Appeal ruling.

Now tell me this "sport" is not corrupt and biased....

 

[glojo]

It's agreat pity we have duplicate threads on this topic but putting my sensible head on for a brief second I think it sad that this relationship broke down and we need to stand back and look at the root causes of this tiff. Alonso will certainly be missed by McLaren but if they keep Alonso's Spanish sponsors and they don't have to pay off this driver's remaining contract, then they have done very well out of it. Hamilton is a great driver who will hopefully go on to win many World Championships and is a worthy lead driver. All the talk is that Alonso will not be allowed to race for a works team which leads me to think McLaren still have some influence over this man's contractual obligations?

Who will take Aloinso's place? Scumbag has already recommended his good friend Ralf Schumacher but perhaps Ralf believes his talents are best suited elsewhere? The flag waving Brits are suggesting Button and if he were prepared to take a wage cut then he might make a good number two driver just like a newer Coulthard, but should Ron Dennis try for Kubica or Koovalin (too poorly to spell their names properly)

 

[Diesel Benz]

I thought UK members would have wished Alonso to stay at McLaren, then Lewis would have had a chance to show he is better (more than at equal points as this year). It is like Michael Schumacher not racing any more, the current drivers cannot prove they would have been able to beat him.

 

[big x]

adam

 

[miro]

Now tell me this "sport" is not corrupt and biased....

I could but someone from Ferrari would contradict me and I would lose all of my spectator points for the season.

 

[glojo]

I thought UK members would have wished Alonso to stay at McLaren, then Lewis would have had a chance to show he is better (more than at equal points as this year). It is like Michael Schumacher not racing any more, the current drivers cannot prove they would have been able to beat him.

We have all the proof we need regarding smuck face As soon as the contract ended regarding his status Massa was beating him fair and square. This was at a time when this driver lacked the experience, confidence and ability he now shows. Unfortunately Ferrari will perhaps not change until those at the top are removed?

I would have loved to see Alonso stay at McLaren but his atitude, temperament seem to out weigh his thinking abilities.

I can understand why he acted like he did and to a degree I feel sorry for him, he saw how smuick face was treated and rightly or wrongly thought he should be treated in a similar vein.

If we English were honest with ourselves we would look at the likes of David Beckham..... What's this got to do with a pound of spuds??

If Beckham thought he was fouled and the officials failed to act then this primma donna would take the law into his own hands and scythe the alleged guilty party down! Alonso was held up by Hamilton, the team ordered this driver to pull over but nothing was done. Cue David Beckham's answer. Never mind that though Alonso is the anti-christ and Beckham is a national hero.

Football is a funny old game:

Regards
John the only Alonso supporter