Originally posted by potmotr
I wonder what went wrong with the Alonso negotiations though.
According to this sport newspaper:
Link MARCA Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport F1 director and responsible, was not convinced about the whole operation
1st proposal to Alonso was insatisfactory: 3 years unnegotiable, low salary (apparently Mario is very miser. He pays Kubica around 4 millions a year, thatĀ“s why Robert is not very happy)
Mario wants BMW growing step by step and FernandoĀ“s landing would change that.
Anyway bosses in BMW Germany consider Alonso a key factor to close the quality gap needed to fight for title. Bosses are questioning Supermario because he let go Vettel, considered a big mistake
In addition to that:
- Alonso was also not fully convinced
- Renault progression during this year has been better and deeper than BMW.
- Next year with new rule changes (slicks, cut aerodynamics by 50%, KERS) decide which car will be better can be a gamble now, Alonso was saying in an interview:
"Every team at this moment of the year is very optimistic about its own 2009 chances" (referred to Honda, BMW and Renault)
- RenaultĀ“s momentum and confidence after last GP win. I do not consider this a big thing, and Alonso said after Q2 fuel pump fiasco and after GP win in Singapur, that both things were not important in a possible decision, but recent BriatoreĀ“s speech in Gazetta dello Sport can contradict that.
PRO BMW:
Better engine that Renault by at least 30 HP, on par with Mercedes and Ferrari. One step higher than Renault who really froze development and fired 80 people from Viry-Chatillon department. Remember Toyota and Briatore complains about McLaren and Ferrari accusing them to continue development of engine. BMW is on par to them.
Apparently BMWĀ“s KERS, like Honda one, it is in a higher degree of development than the rest. Many teams are going to use a standard Magneti Marelli.
RenaultĀ“s budget is meager and smaller than most of big teams and Carlos Ghosn is not a big F1 fan, and getting enough budget is always a factor in R&D, investigation, engines, aerodynamics and progression during a year.
You can agree or disagree to these reflections. DonĀ“t kill messenger.
Regards