Scuderia Ferrari 2013

[Hail22]

Ferrari F1 interactive steering wheel:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/17/sport ... html#index

[Forza Ferrari]

Wild thought : what do you think of a possible return of R Brawn to Ferrari ? He is possibly leaving Merc and Domenicalli said a few weeks ago that important signings on the technical front were to be announced.

considering that brawn would be a major asset to any team on the grid, that he obviously knows the team very well, and that montezemolo seems to be keen to bring Ferrari back on track (signing kimi and apologizing to him is rather mindblowing and proves that he will from now on, do everything he can to win again).

Last but not least, the increasing pressure on domenicalli will not do the team any good so signing the man would calm do all the fuss (even if when can assume that dome doesn't get sack but doing something less exposed)...

what's your point of view ?

[mika vs michael]

I have been saying since 2007 that the departure of RB was one of the biggest mistakes for Ferrari. but I don't see RB getting back. I think Ross Brawn wanted to become a team boss. I can't see RB coming back unless he is given the place of SD. At the present time I think RB would be a good choice only if he can commit to stay in the team for 4-5 years at least.

[Kiril Varbanov]

More fuel in the fire - according to Eddie Jordan, cited by Sport Bild, Alonso could depart to Mclaren in 2015 - http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/formel-1 ... ieren.html
At the same time, Ferrari aren't afraid of him leaving, as he has a contract...

[aleks_ader]

Kiril you are deply into F1 behind scenes. So could you teell (or someone else also) me is possible to Alonso break contract with Santander or Santander break contract with Ferrari?

What would be coincidences and contract penalties by that (what is until well known)? How many may would new sponsor invest in Alo departure or otherwise how many would cost that departure from Ferrari Santander?

I think that current situation in Spain especially in financial market is bad and Sandander would not benefit by leaving Ferrari. Because in that case they must repay Ferrari contract + make additional investment into Mcl transfer. Without outside partner they will make even more troubles in their "red numbers". Last one is really harry beacuse i dont see point how the 2 company could benefit marketing wise at same time. Dual advertising? I doubt in Santander move.

If is this story possible is in my opinion on Alonsos side and his new personal investors (maybe corp like Telmex etc.). Because ALO need financial coverage of investor who really need "cream de la crem" F1 top BRAND driver. Also this investor sees his success and benefit due "very" promising and highly marketing potential of reborn of famous almost mythical HONDA&MCL collaboration. Marketing wise is hiring ALO as a potential "condendor", who is "only" capable to broke Vettel domination is very tempting.

Another fact is that what would Ferrari benefit from it? Money? Definitely? Lost driver? Maybe, but Kimmi could fix the bill... Also Jules and Hulk can do a great job... Anyway for Ferrari find proper replacement was real newer a issue! Maybe Vettel after all could pan in... For Ferrari stand point it really doesn't make difference with or without ALO the team. They have contract and that is. If is someone prepare to cashout its OK, otherwise also. That is my point of view...

It became really silly, so we need every INFO from all of us to fill this puzzle...

[Kiril Varbanov]

Kiril you are deply into F1 behind scenes. ...

To some extent, yes. Just as every media person, I have trusted people I talk to, but the situation ahead is really muddy.
The more I talk to different sides, the more the answer I get is: Let's see, I don't know.

Code: Select all

Is Alonso + Santander = true OR Ferrari + Santander = true? 

Programming jokes aside, Santander do dual sponsorship today. Three years ago, they were inclined to break with Mclaren, but saw some 60% brand awareness increase and decided to stay with them. Today, Banco Santander have strong presence in UK, so this appeared to have been a good move. I can definitely see them continue with the same model for some time, shall Alonso decide to leave.

More or less, Santander is Alonso, in my view. If he moves, they will move, too.
The real analysis of that situation starts couple of months ago, and it includes Peter Prodromou move to Mclaren, as well as his right hand. Mclaren are on the verge to build a very strong team in 2015 with Honda and senior engineers. There, in Woking, we also have Doug McKiernan and Budkwoski working as aero people. The latter one came from Ferrari, and Doug is a very respected engineer. Two more aces in that deck bodes well for Mclaren. From a team perspective, it is important if they will retain Perez and his Telmex money, which is also dependent on what they will offer to Button. It is believed that Mclaren are happy with Jenson and are ready to offer him a three-year contract extension, leading into an effective end of his career. So, that means, Perez will be out, assuming that Alonso comes in. He has to bring in some money to cover the loss of Telmex, again, assuming they don't want to stay.

On Ferrari side, they are doing everything they can to get back into real title hopes, that includes the precious wind tunnel, and the new personnel from Lotus, also actively involving Rory Byrne, who initially accepted remote consultant role.
There's a good high-pressure zones at Ferrari right now, to use that term from aerodynamics. Ferrari need to solve the Alonso issue - I understand they are not happy with his public outbursts, the alleged Red Bull talks, etc. It was Alonso's way to tell that he's not happy at all, regardless of his love to Ferrari. I also understand that the team's morale isn't very high after these so-called disappointing years of having no title. I see it differently, and it was just Red Bull's turn to make the best of the solid sustainable work in the past. Also, Alonso is a person who pushes you - to bring the best out of you and I suppose not everyone is capable of handling the pressure well. LdM was also very vocal about Ferrari giving him the boot, no matter how good he is. As in: "The team is above all, and if you don't like us, feel free to depart".

They say there's no smoke without a fire and I'm sure Alonso's managers has had talks with Mclaren. Only time will tell what's going to happen, and at this point I don't trust anything, unless it's signed and official. Denials, as a form of keeping things under the carpet, have been here for ages (media domain). As in: I deny this. But it happens the next day. Sir, what happened to your denial? I didn't say never, I meant it hasn't happened at this time (usual scenario).

By saying solving Alonso issue, I really mean that Ferrari must convince the Spaniard that they are capable of winning championship titles. From a racing driver point of view, I can understand Alonso's ambitions - they are ambitions of a champion. Even if I enter in a simple 20 laps kart race, I want to win and this is a mindset, not just blind wanna-be thoughts. If Alonso sees potential in Mclaren, he will grab the opportunity, as he knows racing driver's life is short, no matter how much he loves Ferrari. These things have happened already. They do happen in other sports as well.

I do not believe in Alonso-RAI clashing. These two can live together and 2014 will definitely show this. Once the cards are revealed in 2014 and we advance in the season, lots of decisions will be made. It is an interesting times, because lots of senior engineers are making the best out of the unknown situation and are trying to sell themselves as high as they can, which is understandable.

[munudeges]

More fuel in the fire - according to Eddie Jordan, cited by Sport Bild, Alonso could depart to Mclaren in 2015 - http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/formel-1 ... ieren.html
At the same time, Ferrari aren't afraid of him leaving, as he has a contract...

I think it's pretty nailed on this will happen now. Eddie Jordan doesn't need a crystal ball for that one. Things got so bad earlier this season that Ferrari considered letting Alonso go but the sponsorship ties (read Santander) were too great. I have a feeling discussions will still continue for next year because there's really no point in letting Alonso hang on for a season, but there are issues such as McLaren having Mercedes engines next year and then moving to Honda the next. The dotting of 'i's and 't's gets more difficult. However, if he stays it puts him in a difficult position with Raikkonen when everyone knows he'll be leaving.

[GitanesBlondes]

I think it will be interesting to see how 2014 unfolds with Alonso and Ferrari. People are going to be heavily focused on Alonso vs. Raikkonen, but for my money the real fireworks are going to be between Alonso and Ferrari. There is no chance of him being with the team beyond 2014, and while it is easy to use him as a target, one has to question Ferrari themselves. To have arguably the best driver on the grid, yet they've been incapable of providing a car that can challenge consistently throughout the season. Regardless of how much Alonso's outbursts irritate Ferrari/Montezemolo, they'd do best to start focusing on what they are doing wrong, otherwise the new formula is going to be a struggle for them. If they have a car that is only capable of challenging for P3 to P5 in the constructor's standings, it's going to be a long remainder of the decade as McLaren is in theory poised to have a good chance of returning to form for the 2015 season with their technical additions. I do have to wonder though if Alonso may become more vocal about Ferrari's issues with car development next year if he is deadset on trying to get out of his contract so he can go to McLaren. I almost have a feeling he may try to force Ferrari to sack him so he can get out of there.

[CHT]

I think it will be interesting to see how 2014 unfolds with Alonso and Ferrari. People are going to be heavily focused on Alonso vs. Raikkonen, but for my money the real fireworks are going to be between Alonso and Ferrari. There is no chance of him being with the team beyond 2014, and while it is easy to use him as a target, one has to question Ferrari themselves. To have arguably the best driver on the grid, yet they've been incapable of providing a car that can challenge consistently throughout the season. Regardless of how much Alonso's outbursts irritate Ferrari/Montezemolo, they'd do best to start focusing on what they are doing wrong, otherwise the new formula is going to be a struggle for them. If they have a car that is only capable of challenging for P3 to P5 in the constructor's standings, it's going to be a long remainder of the decade as McLaren is in theory poised to have a good chance of returning to form for the 2015 season with their technical additions. I do have to wonder though if Alonso may become more vocal about Ferrari's issues with car development next year if he is deadset on trying to get out of his contract so he can go to McLaren. I almost have a feeling he may try to force Ferrari to sack him so he can get out of there.

If F2014 is going to be the same like this year's car, Alonso might do what you said and take at least 6 months off from F1 to recharge himself before joining Mclaren in 2015.

[raymondu999]

Last one is really harry beacuse i dont see point how the 2 company could benefit marketing wise at same time. Dual advertising? I doubt in Santander move.

They do the same thing now - they sponsor McLaren AND Ferrari as it is

[stefan_]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBSJzIwOcVw[/youtube]

[Redragon]

Eddie Jordan is echoing the comments from Lobato (Antena 3) and close friend of Alonso.
Lobato said on twitter or internet that Alonso will wait to see what Ferrari brings on 2014, if the car is not strong enough will leave to Mclaren in 2015.
But it is not Mclaren interested on signing Alonso in first intance, it is Honda who are pushing to sign Alonso by 2015.
About sponsors, yep Spain is in crisis but Santander is not. Spanish fans are behind Alonso whereever he races, so Santander will follow Alonso as for them it is more profitable that staying on Ferrari.

[Kiril Varbanov]

Alonso crossed the line - Domenicali - http://adamcooperf1.com/2013/10/23/alon ... omenicali/

[f1universe]

Alonso crossed the line - Domenicali - http://adamcooperf1.com/2013/10/23/alon ... omenicali/

They keep talking about it over and over again, maybe they want a medal.

[FoxHound]

Alonso is saying what every tifoso is thinking.
Ferrari need to up their game, they know it too.

What Alonso gives is his all. And he has nothing to show for it. ..I understand his frustration. Ferrari are trying as best they can and maybe that's why the comments wrankle with maranello.