Will Alonso return to Renault in 2008? - Page 13

ljakse · 20 Oct 2007, 19:18 (Ref:2045560)

You can call me nuts, but sometime ago something came across my mind, and now it seems less impossible.

First, let me repeat myself - I really don't think Fernando will go back to Renault.
Now, after Ferrari extended Massa's contract, we all know he won't go to Ferrari (not that I ever thought he would). So, besides McLaren, only place that might make sense is BMW. But I don't think there is an option for that to happen either, and I never did.

In last couple of weeks Alonso started to sound strange to me. To be precise, after Japan.
Everything I heared he sad, or what I read in quotes (let's say I believe those were true) sounded as if he is actually RENAGOTITATIING his terms for next year. And I don't mean financial, of course.

And then comes this thursday press conf with him and Lewis all of a sudden loving each other.
Again, call me nuts, but to me it seems that those two now know they'll have to "live" with each other next year, and besides, they were both given instructions on how to behave, or else...
Remember, they both have valid contracts for at least one more year with McLaren, and Ron CAN make them sit if they don't dance as he plays.
And, Ron can see what just might be most important - he has a two-time-WDC and reigning WDC in his team next year, or, three-times-WDC and best-rookie-ever (not to mention that he is black, and altogether sensational PR stuff).
Who can want for more???

JeremySmith · 20 Oct 2007, 19:36 (Ref:2045571)

Okay then you could be right.. This is what I could see happening. Alonso wins world title and retires from F1.

**Bononi** · 20 Oct 2007, 22:07 (Ref:2045688)

Anyways, any option would hardly surprise me and whatever he wants to do won't make me lose a good night of sleep...

**Born Racer** · 20 Oct 2007, 22:21 (Ref:2045694)

It's certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that he'll retire if he wins the title. This also fits with the idea of no decision being made until after the final race (by the McLaren team).

If he doesn't win, I doubt he'd retire, because he'd go out looking a bit embarassed losing to the rookie.

Maybe there's also a combination of him having seen sense, calming down somewhat and realising that Renault are probably not a better long-term option than McLaren, and Ron Dennis having zero plans to let him race for another team. Alonso's certainly calmed down his remarks lately, such as where he acknowledged that the overly high tyre pressures in China could have been a mistake rather than some kind of conspiracy or what not.

Of course, it'd be nice to think that he's realised people will value the achievement of beating a top driver like Hamilton in the same car (plus him being rather unlikely for now to get a car as good as the McLaren elsewhere) more than him skulking off some place else. Wishful thinking.

Alonso may well be wondering just how much better Hamilton will get. Has Hamilton pretty much reached his peak, or is there yet greater relative achievement to be unlocked?

ljakse · 20 Oct 2007, 23:27 (Ref:2045716)

Oups! sorry about that spelling. And, no, he will not retire.

mjstallard · 22 Oct 2007, 10:10 (Ref:2047635)

The plot thickens...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63581

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fernando

If I don't stay at McLaren, I can't say Renault is my first option.

pdman · 22 Oct 2007, 10:29 (Ref:2047656)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjstallard

The plot thickens...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63581

MY GOD ... will this guy ever stop whinging ..

McLaren should do what Niki Lauda suggested ..i.e First they should sue Alonso for slander and defamation which has ulitimatly damaged the reputation of the team and it's sponsers. Then Ron should tell Alonso that he's decided to go forwarded with his suggestion that they should have a number 1 and number 2 driver and that he (Alonso) will be number 2..
And make him see out his contract washing Lewis's car ...

.

mjstallard · 22 Oct 2007, 10:35 (Ref:2047663)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63583

Well it seems the silly season will go bezerk in the next two weeks - who said the off season has to be boring?

The Lonely · 22 Oct 2007, 11:17 (Ref:2047714)

Alonso only said what we're all thinking, if Lewis wins the title in the court room it'd be a complete farce

Jam35 · 22 Oct 2007, 12:30 (Ref:2047834)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjstallard

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63583

Well it seems the silly season will go bezerk in the next two weeks - who said the off season has to be boring?

Maybe he's making Prodrive take Alonso along with those blueprints...

F.O.F. · 22 Oct 2007, 13:34 (Ref:2047905)

So many times during the season i decided to give Fernando the benefit of the doubt and assume he was misquoted or his words taken out of context.But he's just a big sore loser,does he have to give his opinion on everything reporters ask him,cannot he not just shut his mouth for once.I'm surprised Ron hasn't had enough of him yet.

Edit: Don't dodge the Autocensor.

pdman · 22 Oct 2007, 13:44 (Ref:2047916)

Just saw this on www.F1-live.com

"McLaren organised a team dinner in Sao Paulo on Sunday evening. Alonso and his representatives did not attend."

Guess he was either celebrating with Ferrari or Renault ....

.

luke · 22 Oct 2007, 13:56 (Ref:2047928)

I do feel very sorry for poor Ron and the whole Mclaren team. Every time something went wrong for Lewis or he didn't win he always thanked his team and all his mechanics for giving him the chance to do well. Yet Alonso never thanks the team and always complains. We all remember the famous quote he gave the team 1 second in pace for the car this year, yep, Alonso takes all the credit for the car, no one at Mclaren did any work to get the car to be the best this year. And some wonder why Alonso is not liked at Mclaren and believe he is the victim! Let alone providing evidence against his own team! But that was then, I really hope he leaves asap so Mclaren can rebuild their team and try to find a suitable driver so mr sour grapes can go somewhere his ego and childness can be taken.

Steril707 · 22 Oct 2007, 15:02 (Ref:2048022)

I feel there are really three sides to this story. Alonso's, Hamilton's/Maclarens and the truth somewhere inbetween.

I always thought Alonso is a cool and nice chap the former years at Renault, i cannot imagine him turning into Satan himself as some people here want him to make out. Sometimes certain constellations of people just don't get along with each other, and Alonso didn't get it with the McLaren way.

Something went completely wrong this season with Alonso and McLaren, that one i sure.

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Oct 2007, 15:11 (Ref:2048039)

I don't think its fair to link Hamilton and McLaren together as such. I do think Hamilton's pace was a severe blow to Alonso's early confidence and he didn't recover from it. I also think this was a character building experience but instead of behaving like a champion he went all girly wuss.

Being fair this is almost but not completely unprecidented. I referenced G Hill and J clarke in the sixties. Hill was an existing WDC (and damned fine bloke) when he was teamed with Clarke (a great champion but not as outgoing).

Hill put up with it with good grace and I feel cheated that Alonso didn't behave likewise, but then I may be old fashioned here.

I am saddened by Alonso's actions this year and to whine to the media, thus apealing to nationalistic tendencies, is lower than low.

**Born Racer** · 22 Oct 2007, 17:43 (Ref:2048179)

Quote:

And asked about whether he could see a future with the British-based team, Alonso said: "The only reality is that I'm under contract to McLaren.

"I know there are a lot of rumours but I haven't spoken with another team, that's the reality."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/7056308.stm

Just a thought- maybe he's retiring if McLaren refuse to allow him to keep driving for them.

**Born Racer** · 22 Oct 2007, 18:05 (Ref:2048195)

He did seem to have made some effort to unburn his bridges with McLaren in recent weeks, with comments at least suggesting that there was no conspiracy against him.

But his latest remarks that I've seen about the team not helping him seem to have undone that. It made me think that perhaps he realised he wanted a likely competitive car next year and decided he'd want to stay there, but that he's subsequently been informed that the team are unlikely to want him to drive for him again, but that they won't be allowing him to go elsewhere.

bradrive · 29 Oct 2007, 21:17 (Ref:2054389)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAC

Alonso commits to Renault return in 2008

Alonso together with Ross Brawn to go to RBR, joining with his Ex_Renault Race Engineer, having a car sketched out by Adrian Newey and defined by Geoff Willis, having Renault manufacturer engines and Red Bull sponsorship has the potential to develop into a championship contender for 2009.
N.B. Ross Brawn has given up his Italian residence last week and moved back his personal belongings to the UK. Fantasy or not?

Sodemo · 29 Oct 2007, 23:37 (Ref:2054483)

Does Alonso have any ties with Flavio any more?

Marbot · 30 Oct 2007, 00:33 (Ref:2054511)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Does Alonso have any ties with Flavio any more?

What would Flavio be doing with Alonso's ties?

Marbot · 30 Oct 2007, 00:50 (Ref:2054521)

Ties or not,I don't think he'll be having a 'gap' year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63695

luke · 30 Oct 2007, 11:31 (Ref:2054797)

What a shame!

**Bononi** · 30 Oct 2007, 12:36 (Ref:2054849)

There's too much people worried about Alonso's future... well not worries really, I think it's more desire to see him in a bad position or in a place where he can play his vile game. But I think mostly they want Alonso far from McLaren...

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