F1 » Ferrari closing door on Alonso?

The situation next year will depend on the results of this Year, and whether or not either Kimi or Felipe will win the WDC. Also it will depend on the final result of McLaren. One thing for sure is, that Ferrari have learnt that it pays to have the very best drivers on the payroll. They had spent 20 years from 1979 to 2000 to win an all rounder, and they cannot afford to have a repitition. Team work for them is paramount. They also know that if the situation at McLaren last year was amicable, McLaren would have thrashed them. So what is my point? Ferrari will certainly revue the situation to suit themselves, and that they will employ any driver that will achieve their aims for them.

F1 » Ferrari closing door on Alonso?

Sometimes we all talk as if we are all eminent psychologists on this forum. Many said that Alonso would not fit at Ferrari!!! Others talk about true character as if they know him intimately and personally!!!! Most of the time we do not know what the heck we are all talking about. Fernando's situation at McLaren last year was not desirable for a number of unforseen reasons and due to mismanagement of a dream situation. Ferrari's main aim is to win the Constructors Championship all the time. To do this they need two top class drivers who consistently win races and score top points. To them the WDC is only a motivation to the driver but it helps to get them the CC and all the honours.

F1 » Bell confident of 'big step forward'.

In F1, which is the ultimate in technological advance in car design and manufacture, organizations such as the FIA should not make rules that will harness progress. Engine size should be determined in cubic capacity only and that they should be naturally aspirated, but otherwise engine manufacturers should have a free hand. Otherwise how can speed and performance be improved in any team? Bob Bell, is only echoing what Fernando has told the team after the first test, viz: that the car requires a tidal wave of improvements to perform. Renault have won with Benetton, Williams ans with their own works team in the past. The FIA should stop interferring with progress.

F1 » Alonso plays waiting game.

Then if Fernando stays with Renault, he would have had a good say in the development program. So if he succeeds in developing a winning car we shall all say good for him the man is the best, if the car should turn out to be another dog, then we can all kick his backside. At the moment, he is only driving what he has been given and trying to make the best of it. With the exception of Ferrari, who's team work, strategy and car are the best at the moment, no one is sure of their final positions. All teams seem to have problems, and some such as McLaren are already admitting to same. So where are the problems that we are all talking about rather than in our heads?

F1 » Alonso plays waiting game.

I still do not see the problem that most of the posters here are debating. Fernando has not downtrodden his team in any way in this feature, in fact he said that he will be as committed as ever and hopes that the improvements made will be cashed in some form of points. He knows that he cannot win with the present car. He is not moaning, whinging or whatever. I think he is being realistic. Don't you all think that what he's saying is much better than "I intend to win it" or "I aim to win it", then you find that the car is full of vices and defects that were not detected previously? Next year, due to the rule changes and re-introduction of slicks all cars shall have to be redesigned.

F1 » Alonso plays waiting game.

In his overview in another feature here,Mark Blundell said that it is expected that Fernando will once again give a 110% committment in his hometown. It must very frustrating when 110% performance in the R28 can only be equal to just 70% of a Ferrari. And for a 2xWDC this is more so. Fernando had the choice of a drive at BMW-Sauber and at Toyota this year but both were not considered due to the lack of exit clauses. I do not remember Williams ever being mentioned among his offers but Ferrari was, albeit behind the scenes. Fernando has to lump it this year with what he's got. Better luck next year. Ferrari at one time waited 20 years to win anything, and McLaren 8, so what's the problem?

F1 » McLaren: We've improved the car but...

Chris B, the second paragraph of my last post was not directed at you. It was directed to all those responsible for such disputes. I am not accusing you of anything. I think that you are wrong about your statement referring to the Lewis car setups, or otherwise it's an admission of his inadequacy in this department. Stop defending him so much, everyone has faults, some admit them, some don't.

F1 » McLaren: We've improved the car but...

Chris B, you have not given me a reply to my queries as yet. Can you enlighten me please with the info on how you know as how you know that Lewis has setup his own car in the final 5 races? Who set them up for him in the preceding 12, do you know? And if yes, how do you know? I do not wish to enter into any disputes or controversies, but name calling, personal insults, abuse to any other contributor or copying or using of the same name or tag that is already being used by another person sending posts here should be stopped. Let's enjoy this forum sensibly.

F1 » McLaren: We've improved the car but...

Chris B, the results of Lewis's last six races last year were: 5th, 2nd, 4th, 1st, Ret, and 7th. If as you say he was setting up the car himself, he hardly showed any race winning expertise with these results. In any case how do you know that he did the setup himself? Please tell us how do you know this as a fact. Pedro de la Rosa is the test driver for McLaren, but Lewis and Heiki are the race drivers who ultimately have the final say on the race performance of the cars. They did not give any adverse comments pre-racing. None whatsover, in fact Lewis said several times that the car was perfect even in Australia, he reckoned that he was going to have a walkover over everyone.

F1 » McLaren: We've improved the car but...

....defects that were not seen by both Lewis and Heiki, but which became apparent in the last two races. Development experience, car feel, setup knowledge and sound engineering/driving acumen is what makes a World Champion. McLaren knows that they are lacking development expertise on the track and their engineers are the first to admit it. The car has vices and defects they say!!!!! Lewis has to focus more on his performance and stop dreaming that the WDC is a piece of cake at tea time. He's got to work for it against 21 other drivers who might be in lesser cars but are there just the same. Self centered, and self afficating opinions do not win WDC's in F1. Total commitment does.