Silly Season 2013/14

[sennafan24]

He has every right to be unhappy too, the best driver in the world, at least for my money, is yet again in a car not really capable of winning the title. For the 4th, maybe 3rd season in a row. Ferrari are lucky the have him, they would be nowhere without him.

I agree on this. Alonso's 2012 was inspired.

Same goes for Lewis as well from 2009-2012 to some extent.

[Jonnycraig]

at the suggestion Alonso will go to Red Bull.

Its a poorly kept secret that Horner wants Raikonnen, Marko - Ricciardo. The Alonso rumours play right into RBs hands. They not only destabilise Ferrari (as seen by LdMs comments today) but also weaken Raikonnens hand in negotiations.

It will be Raikonnen IMO.

[JimClarkFan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23495111


The plot thickens.
I don't think Alonso will take being told off by anyone.
I believe that Ferrari needs Alonso more than Alonso needs Ferrari.

[WhiteBlue]

The Alonso rumours play right into RBs hands. They not only destabilise Ferrari (as seen by LdMs comments today) but also weaken Raikonnens hand in negotiations.

I doubt that Kimi feels his position being weakened by the charade. IMO it was mainly a tit for tat by Horner when he got a chance to repay Ferrari for the rumours they strew last year of Vettel to Ferrari and a MoU being signed about hat. LdM is very nervous and he should be. There is a strong possibility that Ferrari will not have a WDC for the next two years adding to three barren years already with Alonso in a row.

[Pup]

It has also given Horner the chance to put a bit of fear into Vettel; i.e., Kimi may not be his teammate of choice, but it could be worse.

I'm inclined to file this all away as just talk. The only thing preventing me from doing so is that Alonso is proven to make hasty, emotion-driven decisions when frustrated. That, and the response from Ferrari seems a bit less assured than we're accustomed to hearing from them. Still, if I had to rank drivers according to how likely they are to accept a talented teammate, Vettel and Alonso would share the bottom of the list.

[CHT]

Alonso has been putting on a very brave face for many seasons now and I think last week may perhaps be a turning point of his relationship with Ferrari. I got this bad feeling that Alonso Ferrari relationship is going to go down hill from here and this could perhaps elevate Massa's position within the team.

[iotar__]

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/07/w ... -red-bull/

There are some real gems in it:

I’d prefer Kimi [to Alonso]. I need to be careful now, but nothing against Fernando, I really respect him a lot as a driver, but I respect Kimi on track, off track because he has always been very straight with me. From that point of view it would be a bit easier.

I love the one about Kimi being straight. Remember that Vettel last year accused Alonso and Ferrari to play mind games with him by bringing up the story of Vettel to Ferrari?

You don’t need a PhD in semantics to read between the lines of that answer. Vettel’s skill with English and the subtlety of nuance in his answers is always impressive.

Surely Alonso will not inherit Webber's seat easily. A lot of unlikely things would have to come together to facilitate that. But he may see a way to express his frustration at having to drive the wheels off their mediocre cars and not getting a third title in four years. This could spell a new chapter in the story of Alonso at Ferrari similar to Hamilton at McLaren. He came from happy camper over committed to career end and down to totally unhappy about competitiveness.

I disagree, no gems here, as always with Red Bull and Vettel we have three different approaches and changes in marketing bulshiting, like Malaysia:

- I thought Vettel had no say in his future team-mate? Firstly it was 'team harmony' which should be translated as a solid, manageable driver not good or fast enough, then he was involved, then he wasn't and it was all team's decision,
- same with if it matters who it is, firstly it's a team harmony, then he doesn't care with "I can take on anybody" fake posturing, now he cares and we are back to "team harmony"?
- firstly they are buddies with Raikkonen, then Vettel denies it and says it was blown out proportions by media, they are no friends, now this marketing angle took another turn and Raikkonen is a good, honest guy just like Vettel as opposed to big, bad wolf Alonso?

I can't wait for: "we considered Alonso but we prefer Ricciardo or Raikkonen because as we said we were looking for the best driver possible for the best team we are". If you are "considering" and he's available, AND you are looking for the best driver you hire Alonso. There has to be a limit for marketing nonsense, they can milk it for a while but everyone knows it's a big joke. I will gladly eat my proverbial hat if it happens. Since it involves Red Bull I won't REALLY eat it and will change my mind three times.

From Ferrari's perspective it's a storm in a tea cup. Alonso said something publicly, nothing outrageous or controversial: Ferrari is slow and he would like a better car, forgetting to say "only better Ferrari", Montezemolo had to say something publicly, too. He didn't really have to but that's politics and posturing, too. In the end he's the one (and his guy Domenicali) responsible for them being behind technologically. Top team without reliable wind tunnel for several season. What are they going to do, replace Fernando and finish 7-8 in every race?

[mnmracer]

He has every right to be unhappy too, the best driver in the world, at least for my money, is yet again in a car not really capable of winning the title. For the 4th, maybe 3rd season in a row. Ferrari are lucky the have him, they would be nowhere without him.

Surely you agree that the F138 is better than the F2012, yet the performances aren't per se?
So surely you agree that it's not all Ferrari's fault?

[JimClarkFan]

He has every right to be unhappy too, the best driver in the world, at least for my money, is yet again in a car not really capable of winning the title. For the 4th, maybe 3rd season in a row. Ferrari are lucky the have him, they would be nowhere without him.

Surely you agree that the F138 is better than the F2012, yet the performances aren't per se?
So surely you agree that it's not all Ferrari's fault?

It is better than last year, but it is still the 4th best car currently and relatively speaking still not as good as the front runners. Mercedes, Lotus and Red Bull are definitely better.

There have also been no opportunities this year for Alonso to show his magic, I can't think of a single wet weekend.

I have no reason to believe that it isn't entirely Ferrari's fault.

[nacho]

Maybe it is the direction that is worrying but two wins and in total 6 times on the rostrum is not bad.

All the years he's been at Ferrari the car has been eventually quite fast and reliable. Twice second in WDC a few points from Vettel's Red Bull, once fourth, currently 3rd.It could have easily been the other way around with the same car and Alonso being a 4 time WDC. It is not like betrayal is it?

[sennafan24]

I have no reason to believe that it isn't entirely Ferrari's fault.

Agreed.

Alonso has been quiet this year, but other than maybe Monaco I cannot think of a race where it seemed he underperformed.

[muhammadtalha-13]

He has every right to be unhappy too, the best driver in the world, at least for my money, is yet again in a car not really capable of winning the title. For the 4th, maybe 3rd season in a row. Ferrari are lucky the have him, they would be nowhere without him.

Surely you agree that the F138 is better than the F2012, yet the performances aren't per se?
So surely you agree that it's not all Ferrari's fault?

Surley F138 is better than F2012, BUT... RB9, F1 W04 and E21 are WAAAYYY better than their predecessors. So IMO, it;s ferrari's fault that they have not developed the car enough.

[xpensive]

What in the world would Alonso want with a seat in Vettel's team, he doesn't even speak german as far as I know?

James Allison will be a great addition to Ferrari for 2014 and the new rules will reduce aero-importance substantially.

I'm certain that we will see someone from the Red Bull ranks in the other car, which is the point of their junior program.

As for James Allen's speculations about Mercedes and Ferrari in 2014, I'd trust the carnival fortuneteller just as much.

[Jonnycraig]

I have no reason to believe that it isn't entirely Ferrari's fault.

Agreed.

Alonso has been quiet this year, but other than maybe Monaco I cannot think of a race where it seemed he underperformed.

What in the world would Alonso want with a seat in Vettel's team, he doesn't even speak german as far as I know?

Not sure if serious.

James Allison will be a great addition to Ferrari for 2014 and the new rules will reduce aero-importance substantially.

The 2014 rules make engines and specifically ERS vital. As per that James Allen article, rumour has Ferrari lagging enginewise.

I'm certain that we will see someone from the Red Bull ranks in the other car, which is the point of their junior program

The point of the RB Junior programme is to find a WDC. Ricciardo is definitely not that.

[sennafan24]

I have no reason to believe that it isn't entirely Ferrari's fault.

Agreed.

Alonso has been quiet this year, but other than maybe Monaco I cannot think of a race where it seemed he underperformed.

.

Care to you know, actually present a counter argument

I raise your with a