132 replies to this topic

[Ferrari2183]

Now there is no real basis for that statement, is there?

Yeah, anybody is capable of being beaten but the statement implies that Alonso's performance remains stagnant as the car improves while everybody else steps up a gear.

[Brazzers]

Now there is no real basis for that statement, is there?

 

The basis is pure 'bullshit'. 

 

I don't think Fred is going to leave Ferrari but that few weeks quote does not sound good for the Ferrari fans. Although ironically by his statement, when/if Vettel comes into Ferrari the exposure will be Vettel can only win in a dominant car 

 

Ferrari hasn't looked like it can be capable of producing a dominant car. 

[Fontainebleau]

A general reminder - this thread would very much improve without personal attacks or exaggerated victimism. Come on, there are more effective ways of rebutting points you disagree with!

[NoSanityClause]

....and after all has been said and done, he is once again the guy that goes out with a sub-par car to take the fight to the Mercs and RBRs. Even if these are just practices, even if they mean nothing, it is always him. 

So, for all his ego and all his bluntness, he is the man when it's time to do the talk at the track, and that's why massaging his ego is a small price to pay and why the malicious, disrupting rumours can only make the F1 spectacle poorer, never better.

[SophieB]

They played footage of the interview in th opening post during FP1. Fans of the dramatic and tempestuous would have been let down by the lack of shouting or banging of fists on tables or any stuff like that. Instead, it all sounded very calm and matter of fact, although a bit irritated-sounding.

 

That said, the 'some day I will speak too' with regard the rumours/leaks is definitely intriguing.

Go on speak now! Speak about it all now, Alonso! 

[Radion]

....and after all has been said and done, he is once again the guy that goes out with a sub-par car to take the fight to the Mercs and RBRs. Even if these are just practices, even if they mean nothing, it is always him. 

So, for all his ego and all his bluntness, he is the man when it's time to do the talk at the track, and that's why massaging his ego is a small price to pay and why the malicious, disrupting rumours can only make the F1 spectacle poorer, never better.

It's ferrari, not him. If ferrari hadn't run those low fule runs on fridays, he wouldn't be "taking the fight to the Mercs and RBRs".

Plus I doubt he cares too much about how people see his friday "performances". It's the sundays (and partly the saturdays) where he has build his reputation.

[Skinnyguy]

 
That said, the 'some day I will speak too' with regard the rumours/leaks is definitely intriguing.
Go on speak now! Speak about it all now, Alonso!

Sounds like the post 2007 quotes. He never said anything at all then.

[NoSanityClause]

It's ferrari, not him. If ferrari hadn't run those low fule runs on fridays, he wouldn't be "taking the fight to the Mercs and RBRs".

Plus I doubt he cares too much about how people see his friday "performances". It's the sundays (and partly the saturdays) where he has build his reputation.

Ferrari might always give him low fuel loads, but he also unwaveringly delivers according to that. It takes two to tango and he is always there, in agood mood or bad mood.

[Skinnyguy]

Ferrari might always give him low fuel loads, but he also unwaveringly delivers according to that. It takes two to tango and he is always there, in agood mood or bad mood.

 

Taking comfort on Friday run pace from a red car is quite evidently a mistake by now. I didn´t get pumped up the slightest after Kimi´s FP2 result in Monza, and when the time of truth came, it showed again it was the right approach.

 

I still think it should be a good weekend for Ferrari though, not because Friday results, but because of the track. Williams won´t be able to exploit its biggest strenghts, so hopefully Ferrari should be up there.

[SophieB]

Don't get lost what thread you're in guys - this one's just for discussing that interview!

[NoSanityClause]

Taking comfort on Friday run pace from a red car is quite evidently a mistake by now. I didn´t get pumped up the slightest after Kimi´s FP2 result in Monza, and when the time of truth came, it showed again it was the right approach.

 

I still think it should be a good weekend for Ferrari though, not because Friday results, but because of the track. Williams won´t be able to exploit its biggest strenghts, so hopefully Ferrari should be up there.

Sorry, but that's not what I meant. I was not focusing on FP1 result as a good sign of race performance, merely an indicator that after all these disruptive rumours, Alonso keeps delivering at the same level as usual, which is very high. He has low fuel load, so he can have a shot at 1st place in FP...and he does. It shows he is still giving his best, nothing more.

[Buttoneer]

Sounds like the post 2007 quotes. He never said anything at all then.

Then he has two good stories for his memoires.  He'd be foolish to say too much while he's still looking at other seats to go to.  I imagine that if he were to end up at McLaren-Honda from 2016 then he might be grateful for keeping his own counsel on 2007.

[Skinnyguy]

If he hasn't said anything in 2008, with all the bad blood then, I don't think he has much to tell. I kind of think the "one day I'll talk" stuff we got to hear often was more BS from Spanish TV than actual words from Fernando.

[kosmos]

 I don't think he has much to tell.

 

 

Or he can't say, maybe one of the conditions for him to get free from McLaren.

Edited by kosmos, 19 September 2014 - 13:44.

[Skinnyguy]

If that wass the case, we wouldn't ever have heard all that "one day I'll talk" stuff. If you can't talk, you don't throw threats around, threats you know you can't fulfill.

[NorthernStar]

Never gonna happen, but imagine Alonso's autobiography with all the juicy bits from Spygate, Crashgate and the whole Ferrarigate!

 

His career would make for a very interesting biopic.

[kosmos]

If that wass the case, we wouldn't ever have heard all that "one day I'll talk" stuff. If you can't talk, you don't throw threats around, threats you know you can't fulfill.

 

Just the opposite, "one day I will talk" clearly tells you that someday he will be "allowed" to talk, if they had an agreement, maybe it has an expiration date. Is all speculation of course.

[Skinnyguy]

Time will tell. I think all these threats were more our media trying to imply he had solid proof of sabotage, than Fernando actually making threats.

I don't buy for a second someone as temperamental as him (especially back then) holding back juicy stuff against his nemesis in case he had it.

I guess we'll know some day.

[SophieB]

We will see. WE WILL ALL SEE.

(Just trying to join in the exciting spirit)

[Maustinsj]

We will see. WE WILL ALL SEE.

(Just trying to join in the exciting spirit)

 

Aww, aren't you going to EXPLODE too? 

[SophieB]

I will leave that to the professionals.

[Radion]

Time will tell. I think all these threats were more our media trying to imply he had solid proof of sabotage, than Fernando actually making threats.

I don't buy for a second someone as temperamental as him (especially back then) holding back juicy stuff against his nemesis in case he had it.

I guess we'll know some day.

If holding back juicy stuff allows him to switch teams (if that is what he wants) then I'm sure alonso, as temperamental as he is, will shut his mouth and talk dirty when he's gone.

[Fontainebleau]

Never gonna happen, but imagine Alonso's autobiography with all the juicy bits from Spygate, Crashgate and the whole Ferrarigate!

 

His career would make for a very interesting biopic.

 

What has the mod team done to deserve that???

 

[DRSwing]

There are many reasons why Fred is no Michael Schumacher when it comes to management of the media or within Ferrari...

 

Michael didn't play on the press too much like Fred does; and Michael is a completely different character than Fred. He rather deal with in internally. Ross Brawn was impressed how he would handle certain situations at Benetton/Ferrari.

 

Michael is unrivaled in the category of making the team actually work which there would be little distractions. Only Honda and Ayrton Senna can compare, but once Honda was gone, Ayrton ddin't truly gel like he used to.

 

At Benetton/Ferrari and even Mercedes, Michael showed his team skills.

 

Fred is just a completely different breed with his emotions. 

 

Driving skill wise Fred and Michael would be very close, of course.

What Fred is going through is like Mika Hakkinen in from 1993 onward. Only issue is that Ferrari is on the decline, unlike Schumacher days, the upturn from 1991-1995 was quite stunning in 1996-1997. Whereas Ferrari from 2009, have been in a slump very much like 1990s.

 

I think this is an interesting comment and i don't mean to disagree with you, but am just wondering if the relative situations in Ferrari which Michael and Fernando found/finds themselves in play a part in their perceived team skills. I mean, Michael had to work hard for 5 years before hitting championship gold but as you mentioned the Ferrari was improving and on an upswing from year to year at that time. Whereas the current Ferrari seems to be sliding backwards from 2010 and this year is the worst in many years (and before anyone jumps out and blame the slide on the driver, remember both the team and F1 rules are very different now from then). Would Michael have handled it better compared to Fernando if he was in a similar situation? Possibly so, but we can't say for sure. Basically what I am saying is that things always look good when the team is winning, but when you are not, especially after so many years, things will go downhill and blame and questions start flying. IMO, Fernando has been holding it quite well after such a long time, and the important thing is that he is still delivering on track race in race out. 

 

Anyway, as already mentioned in some of the posts above, Fernando looked pretty calm in the interview. Not sure why he has to be criticized for his response. I think if he has reacted with a no comment, it would give rise to another round of wild speculations that the rumour is indeed true. (just to clarify, this last comment is not directed at George. It's just that I can see many on this and other threads who seem quite ready to jump out with knives whenever it comes to Alonso) 

[F1Johnny]

Yeah and he spotted the joke too.

I don't agree that ignoring the press is the right answer anyway. He has little choice but to engage with them because of what he does and where he does it.

IMO there really has only ever been one driver who said enough to be popular with the public and little enough to not upset his team and that's Schumie.

He is the benchmark.

 

Though not as popular, I always liked the way Mika Hakkinen handled the press.

[bourbon]

Sorry, but that's not what I meant. I was not focusing on FP1 result as a good sign of race performance, merely an indicator that after all these disruptive rumours, Alonso keeps delivering at the same level as usual, which is very high. He has low fuel load, so he can have a shot at 1st place in FP...and he does. It shows he is still giving his best, nothing more.

 

I don't think his performance or the fact that he generally gives his best was being questioned by the media.  The rumors are, according to Alonso, disruptive to Ferrari's unity, and he is probably right.

But he didn't address the reason why the Italian media went on the attack in the first place.  As long as they have a motive to do so, they'll carry on printing the articles - even if it is a bad or unfair motive.

[Knot]

Eagerly awaiting the Briggs and Stratton F1 entry.

 

It's already here.

 

...rebadged as a Ferrari.

[RedOne]

Alonso speaking his mind = win!

[Craven Morehead]

There's no winning against sensationalist media.

 

Every weekend we hear the same from him, that his commitment is with Ferrari and that all rumours are false. It has been going like that for ages. If he denies the rumours, he is lieing, if he does not deny them, then he is implicitly confirming them.

 

Apparently, he is going to swap his place with Vettel, only to leave for McLaren, long enough to punch Ron in the face and push Jenson into retirement, and finally land at Merc, where his number 1 admirer, Mr.Zetsche will welcome him with open arms. Of course, all that will be merely a ruse, as his final destination is Williams to fulfill Sir Frank's dream.

 

He lasted 13 months before going ballistic. Good for him. 

Lol, brilliant! 

 

I think this has my vote as 'post of the year'.

[sennafan24]

...and I am afraid Fernando Alonso is no Schuey, Fernando is great at driving badly handling cars and giving 100% effort but if the teammate gets half a chance and the car isn't designed to Alonso's needs, Fernando is more than capable of being beaten.

 

If Ferrari had Schumacher and Alonso in the same team, I think Schumacher would beat him rather easily because he's more fluid with the team haromony.

These comments are turning me into  Scrappy Doo. "Lemme at em, lemme at em" 

 

Anyway, despite his obvious discontent, I think he will stay at Ferrari. All these rumors of a one year break, and a straight swap with another team were present last year. The only difference this year is that Alonso is showing dissent to the Italian press openly.  I think he may leave next year, if Ferrai's new plan does not work.

 

So all in all, storm in a teacup

Edited by sennafan24, 20 September 2014 - 00:18.

[f1RacingForever]

Well if there are 3 car teams next year then that changes the equation completely.

[OvDrone]

Wouldn't you be pissed as he is, regarding the topic - be it true or false? Dude is handling it well.

[HoldenRT]

Alonso speaking his mind = win!

 

Any driver speaking their mind usually is.  Even if it makes them look bad, at least it's pure honest expression.  Something that is so rare in such a corporate business orientated paddock/world.