Alonso to BMW next season?

[MagpieRacer]

Done deal according to here:

http://www.f1way.com/news/2008/september/7/alonso-signs-three-year-bmw-deal---report

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I'm very sceptical. I don't think Kubica would be happy being #2.

 

[Ardius]

I don't see the team getting rid of Heidfeld or Kubica, both are good drivers who have brought points to the team in what is their best season so far. Heidfeld is unlikely to leave because his best F1 seasons have been with the team and I don't see why Kubica would leave the team that gave him his first win, he doesn't exactly seem unhappy.
I'll be very surprised if this happens. In fact, I'll be surprised if any team other than Force India grabs him. I was pretty surprised when Ross Brawn said he was waiting for him...does that mean Barrichello is considering giving up this season? I know Honda love Button for some reason.

 

[Sureboss]

I think he's a poisoned chalice. Seems to be making loads of mistakes when under pressure, this season.

 

[darkfinal]

I think he's a poisoned chalice. Seems to be making loads of mistakes when under pressure, this season.

Just like Kimi, Felipe, Lewis and Heikki.

In fact, I think they have more to blame for hecking it up with the most stable cars in F1, while Alonso has been driving an ultra-nervous, low-aero car the whole season. That gives lots of room for mistakes.

 

[orimarc]

Well, when you try to get 110% performance from your car and from yourself, mistakes happen. He's human after all...and we know that with the right car he can fight with the best (http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=9wGtSz1dZIk)

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'm very sceptical. I don't think Kubica would be happy being #2.

And given their respective performances this year, I don't think Kubica would be number two.

Alonso's problem is that he expects that he'll be given preference by his team from the word 'go'. And while that works at Renault, Renault is the only team that does it; everyone else will sit and wait until such time as one of their drivers is out of the running for good and then prioritise. Which is why I think he'll be seen as more of an instructor in year to come unless he can land a decent drive: uncompetitive teams will sign him because they'll be more willing to bend to his whims, but because they're uncompetitive, he won't be winning races, but rather teaching newcomes how to race. That was Kovalainen's problem last year: if Alonso had been his team-mate, Kovalainen would have learned how to race an F1 car. But because Fisichella was his team-mate, he only learned how to drive one.

 

[Muzaffar]

Well try telling Nelsinho that, all he does is crash and wipe out, and he didn't even outqualified Alonso for this year so far. Even if he did finish 2nd in Germany (which Alonso didn't even manage to do so far) was just luck and a good strategy. He just doesn't improve as much as what Heikki manage last year, so saying Alonso as teaching newcomers how to race is just absurdly wrong. 👎

Well as for the move, I think if its not on GP Update, then its nothing more than a rumor. Besides, I don't think BMW has any plans on bringing Alonso either with both Kubica and Heidfeld performing well this season......

 

[Mt. Lynx]

I read an interview with Ross Brawn, and he clearly stated that Honda would like to have Alonso, and that they (Honda) will wait with any decisions until Alonso proclaims "stay or go" with Renault.

 

[Ardius]

I read an interview with Ross Brawn, and he clearly stated that Honda would like to have Alonso, and that they (Honda) will wait with any decisions until Alonso proclaims "stay or go" with Renault.

Yeah, thats what I had read, but that makes me wonder whether Barrichello is truly staying on another year or not. Unless Honda have stopped loving Jenson all of a sudden or Brawn has decided he isn't worth the money to the team. I remember watching the ITV coverage of I think it was the British GP, and before the race, they covered who gets paid the most, and Jenson was 4th highest, they asked Brawn about this and he acted pretty surprised and said "I need to have a look at this list". Then he went on to say that Honda do hold Jenson in high asteem.
Anyway, I'm intrgiued who Honda would axe for Alonso.

 

[Roo]

Why would he sign a three year deal? For the past year he's been waiting to see if a Ferrari seat is available in 2010, and has been desperate to get 1 year deals everywhere he goes.

Even if he did finish 2nd in Germany (which Alonso didn't even manage to do so far) was just luck and a good strategy. He just doesn't improve as much as what Heikki manage last year, so saying Alonso as teaching newcomers how to race is just absurdly wrong. 👎

There's more to learning racecraft than getting results. If you've got a car that is only good for 12th place and you finish 9th, you've done a lot better than winning in a dominent car. There's plenty of current drivers who could learn a lot from Fernando. It's a problem Lewis Hamilton has - he's got a lot of good results, but if he falls down the field, he's usually mediocre; just because he has the wins doesn't mean he's got good racecraft.

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

Both Felipe and Kimi have been re-signed, so if he wants a championship capable team, it's either BMW or...um...well, I guess that's it...

 

[Tired Tyres]

Yes but there are new rules and new cars next year. Renault are just as likely to came up with a good car as anybody else is.

 

[Soundtrack]

Unless there's a 100% sure better option open (car-wise), I think Alonso will stay with Renault for another year. Maybe all this Honda talk, is just a new Ross Brawn “strategy” for Button lowering his financial appetite. He(RB) has proven to be a very smart guy in that discipline.

 

[mustang245]

Yes but there are new rules and new cars next year. Renault are just as likely to came up with a good car as anybody else is.

Too true... and Carlos Ghosn has approved major budget increase for next year. Interesting how the Spaniard garners so much attention even whilst P4ish. Poisoned chalice? More like Holy Grail... Only he can derive such superhuman performance from ultra-nervous R28. Bring on the R29! What a comical season with him stuck in this years car. Keep it real...

 

[Soundtrack]

One option less...
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/10/8476.html

 

[Alex.]

Formula Ford it is then