Alonso - The next Schumacher?

Wrex · 23 Sep 2002, 08:41 (Ref:386390)

Well, according to Flavio Briatore he is.

F1-Live.com are running this story with Flav's thoughts on his new driver.

Quote:

"When we signed Michael all those years ago, we knew we had someone special. I have that same gut reaction with Fernando. He is the future of our team and a guy who will make things happen,” Flavio was quoted as saying in the Sun. "Every team has been looking for another Schumacher and I believe we have beaten them to it with Fernando."

What do you think?

ljakse · 23 Sep 2002, 08:44 (Ref:386394)

Break-up with Naomi has left some heavy consequences.

**Adam43** · 23 Sep 2002, 09:10 (Ref:386414)

I heard him say this quote on telly the weekend it was announced that Renault has signed Alonso!

I think the guy has talent, but only time will tell. It is encouraging that Flav. says the team had the same feeling about Schumacher at the same time in his career. Let's hope he lives up to some of the expectations!

Kex · 23 Sep 2002, 09:39 (Ref:386429)

Way too early to make a judgement. Although he was doing well in the Minardi last season.

Gt_R · 23 Sep 2002, 10:34 (Ref:386463)

i had the gut reaction Flavio should just shuddup and let Alonso get on with his job to grow without undue pressure. We've talked about how the hype around JPM had blunted his achievements... now Flavio want the world to pile pressure on Alonso?!! I doubt it is good for the driver..but i have this sick feeling Flavio's doing it for the publicity and sponsors.

Valve Bounce · 23 Sep 2002, 11:26 (Ref:386502)

We all await Alonso's Renault debut with great anticipation. However, I really think that it is ridiculous for anyone to be touted as the next Schumacher (I hope he didn't mean Ralf), Senna, or Prost. This is just silly talk by Flav.

Valve

f1manoz · 23 Sep 2002, 12:17 (Ref:386560)

Alonso is a case of wait and see. Plenty of potential but seeing how ego's and potential can be crushed so easily...

Lee Janotta · 23 Sep 2002, 13:26 (Ref:386608)

Hmm... Does Alonso like to punt his championship competitors off the track in the last race too?

**Bononi** · 23 Sep 2002, 14:02 (Ref:386624)

For the good of the sport, I hope YES !

Super Tourer · 23 Sep 2002, 15:04 (Ref:386655)

Poor old Flav just can't help himself....Fernando hasn't even started a race in a decent car year....and his manager is...FB.

Mind you Flav think's Trulli is great as well.....

Super Tourer · 23 Sep 2002, 15:06 (Ref:386656)

Quote:

Originally posted by Super Tourer
Poor old Flav just can't help himself....Fernando hasn't even started a race in a decent car yet....and his manager is...FB.

Mind you, Flav think's Trulli is great as well.....

One day I'll get the hang of this thing

senna12 · 23 Sep 2002, 16:07 (Ref:386668)

I feel it is far too early to be making statements like that, but as he is Flav's flavour of the year, it is not unexpected.

bart_jacobs · 23 Sep 2002, 16:26 (Ref:386675)

If he woudn't be good than he woudn't have got the drive from Jenson...that is a good sign of his 'abilities' replacing the fastest driver of the team must mean something...

Red · 23 Sep 2002, 16:43 (Ref:386679)

Quote:

Originally posted by bart_jacobs
If he woudn't be good than he woudn't have got the drive from Jenson...that is a good sign of his 'abilities' replacing the fastest driver of the team must mean something...

That kind of logic doesn't always work. For example I haven't found yet a comment like "if Schumacher wouldn't be that good he wouldn't have got an number 1 status... that is a good sign of his 'abilities'"... ooops sorry for hijacking the thread

Back to topic; Bart, you make a good point! Why did he replace the fastest driver of the team? :confused: Even if he would be the next Schumacher, it makes sense to replace the slower and breed the next Schumacher!

Yes he is good, but the next Schumacher..... too early to say. Actually I'm not exactly sure if he's better than Jenson. But he's talented, that's for sure.

**Bononi** · 23 Sep 2002, 17:19 (Ref:386693)

Uhn... maybe he could be the next Hill then ?

From test driver to champion...

senna12 · 23 Sep 2002, 21:43 (Ref:386888)

Quote:

Originally posted by Red

Back to topic; Bart, you make a good point! Why did he replace the fastest driver of the team? :confused: Even if he would be the next Schumacher, it makes sense to replace the slower and breed the next Schumacher!

I was under the impression that Jenson was replaced because Trulli is Flavios' man, and by managing/employing 2 drivers under contract to drive, his own earning potential increases exponentially. After taking some heat for getting rid of the better performer last season, he is quite naturally under some scrutiny to justify his own decision. He should hope he doesn't end up with a "Felipe-like" performance from Fernando.

Jordi · 23 Sep 2002, 21:47 (Ref:386890)

I hope Fernando does live up to expectations!

Wrex · 23 Sep 2002, 22:23 (Ref:386914)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bononi
Uhn... maybe he could be the next Hill then ?

No need to be nasty Bon

I also think its too early to say, and any more hype and he will be destined to fall flat on his face. Like Webber, it wont be until he races against a real teammate that we can judge how good he really is. I'm guessing (for both of them) they are.

Jordi · 23 Sep 2002, 22:36 (Ref:386929)

Well, I'd prefer Alonso to be the next Hill than the next Coulthard... because he'd have a World Championship!

Wrex · 23 Sep 2002, 22:41 (Ref:386934)

Thats choosing the lesser of 2 evils there Jordi.[/Hill&CoultardBashing]

As mentioned in another thread, we get ourselves all excited over rookies hoping that someone, anyone, will make this series more interesting. I hope he is'nt the next schumacher. DO we really need another individual dominating the sport?

mac · 23 Sep 2002, 22:54 (Ref:386947)

It's a very harsh call on ABBA to be labelled the next "Schumacher". I don't think it's fair to cop all that from your boss. It's a different thing if it's the media, but if it's your boss ....

LindaC · 24 Sep 2002, 00:57 (Ref:386985)

Quote:

Originally posted by bart_jacobs
If he woudn't be good than he woudn't have got the drive from Jenson...that is a good sign of his 'abilities' replacing the fastest driver of the team must mean something...

You may find this difficult to believe, but Jenson isn't always the fastest driver in the team.

Certainly not in qualifying, that's obvious. And, if you look at the race lap times, he and his team mate are pretty equal, which you might expect, in the same car. And sometimes Trulli is quicker!!! Yes, it does happen. At Monza, Jenson was asked to let Trulli by, because Trulli was faster (oh, sacrilege!

)and the team thought he had more chance of catching Irvine.

Hugh Jarce · 24 Sep 2002, 07:18 (Ref:387081)

FA may well be a 'great' in the making - who knows.

But, at the end of the day Renault are going to need to find plenty more horsepower if the guy is to regularly get points - and it seems to me, that's the only way drivers are deemed great.

No prizes for chasing around mid-pack (look at McNish and co.) even if you are going as fast as you can.

I wish him well!

enemy-ace · 24 Sep 2002, 11:22 (Ref:387186)

Alonso is an unproven commodity, having only driven a Minardi with Yoong & Marques as team-mates in his one year of F1 competition leaves nothing but question-marks. As for him being the next Scumacher, c'mon Flav your pulling the wrong leg

And can somebody please explain to me what makes Button's year this year so great. Maybe the fact that he hasn't sucked as bad this year as he did last. He hasn't even come close to outqualifying Trulli on a regular basis. Also the majority of his points were scored within the first four races of the year, when let's face it is the best time for a mid to back of the grid team to score points. Just ask Webber and Minardi. Since then Trulli has outpointed Button and judging from Monza outraced him also. Button i believe is a decent racer, but IMO just as unproven as Alonso. He needs to do a lot more than just have a decent year after being thoroughly trounced by Fisichella last year, to be truly considered a future WDC.

CleanTone · 24 Sep 2002, 19:54 (Ref:387542)

Alonso got into F1 following only 2 races in F3000. Last week he was much slower in testing than the other drivers. However, best of luck

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