Alonso:I can decide my own future

[Ian]

Sorry Jeri, mis-read your post.

[Jericoke]

Sorry Jeri, mis-read your post.

Y u no understand?

Me speek very gud!

[Scott]

And now the latest...rumours suggesting Hammy to return to Mclaren?  Leaving the door open for Alonso to join the team he would probably have the best chance with in 2015?  That would be fun.  Of course everyone denies it.

I wonder if Flavio planted the rumour to make everyone show their cards?

http://www.pitpass.com/52661/Hamilton-to-McLaren-claim-utterly-without-foundation

[Scott]

Oh, there's lots of interesting stuff out there filled with Alonso speculation. 

The following one suggests Alonso was surprised by the RBR announcement, both in timing and the fact that he thought Hamilton was signing for Ferrari (leaving a seat open at Merc).  If he is now on his back foot negotiating with Ron, he's going to get the short end of the stick, I'm sure.  Mclaren are sitting pretty if Alonso has no other viable choice for a seat (though like someone said, Williams might be worth a ponder).

I'm a little confused by this typo though '“The Spanish star wants only a one-year contract, while Alonso is insisting on a commitment of at least two years,” said Vasconcelos.'  Which is it?  Mclaren I suppose is looking for the longer commitment (or perhaps Honda).

http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/503454/Alonso_in_tough_McLaren_negotiations__report/

[Jericoke]

Oh, there's lots of interesting stuff out there filled with Alonso speculation. 

The following one suggests Alonso was surprised by the RBR announcement, both in timing and the fact that he thought Hamilton was signing for Ferrari (leaving a seat open at Merc).  If he is now on his back foot negotiating with Ron, he's going to get the short end of the stick, I'm sure.  Mclaren are sitting pretty if Alonso has no other viable choice for a seat (though like someone said, Williams might be worth a ponder).

http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/503454/Alonso_in_tough_McLaren_negotiations__report/

Alonso and Kimi were the two drivers who set off the current trend of younger and younger F1 drivers.

There would be a certain irony if Alonso found himself squeezed out of the sport early by younger drivers taking good seats at McLaren and Red Bull

[Scott]

It is really starting to look grim for Alonso.  I think if he takes a sabbatical he could jeopardise a top team comeback.  It will give the chance for every driver on the top teams to shine themselves and make a gamble on him less attractive. 

I know every driver wants the best money and contract that they can get, but I really think Alonso has no option now than to sign at Mclaren for not the best cash and for at least 2yrs (Honda and Mclaren both don't want him signing a one year contract and then bolting to another team at the end of next year when other seats open up).  I see no other option for him at the moment.  If I was Mclaren, I would offer him $50/yr for 2 yrs.    Tell him he already got paid when they had their $100m fine.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116233

[John S]

 
 

The following one suggests Alonso was surprised by the RBR announcement,

I'm sure he was, but wasn't that Red Bulls intention?   

They may not have been able to announce that Vettel is going to Ferrari but they were determined to cause as much pressure to other teams and drivers as possible, that's the F1 way isn't it? 

As far as I know Nando has not ruled out staying at Ferrari, he must surely either have a firm contract or an option for 2015 at Maranello, so I can't see there is only a seat a Macca open to him.   

     

[Scott]

Fernando won't be driving at Ferrari next year. Of that I'm certain (ok, 99% - nothing is for sure in F1 either).

[Scott]

And now some Hamilton speculation thrown in for good measure...

http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/503719/Now_Hamilton_sucked_into_2015_F1_silly_season/

[John S]

Why oh why would Lewis give up a guaranteed 2015 seat at Mercedes for an unknown future at Macca?   

Even if the worst scenario unfolds and Lewis loses the title fight this year it wont be because the team arranged it, so he still has all to play for next year.

Merc is still likely be a race winning car in 2015, why take the risk at Macca - when a seat for a driver like Lewis will still almost certainly be open in other front running teams, if not Macca - for the year after?      

[Jericoke]

Why oh why would Lewis give up a guaranteed 2015 seat at Mercedes for an unknown future at Macca?   

Even if the worst scenario unfolds and Lewis loses the title fight this year it wont be because the team arranged it, so he still has all to play for next year.

Merc is still likely be a race winning car in 2015, why take the risk at Macca - when a seat for a driver like Lewis will still almost certainly be open in other front running teams, if not Macca - for the year after?   

Remember when it was 'crazy' for Hamilton to go from a safe big team at McLaren to an underperforming, too many chiefs, desperate to stave off the shareholders Mercedes?

I have faith that IF Hamilton flips teams, then he sees something that we, as fans, simply aren't privy to.

As a driver hoping to win F1 races, I wouldn't move from Mercedes to McLaren.  However, as someone who owes their racing career to the faith of Ron Dennis, the decision would be much less clear cut.  Sometimes it's nice to go home.

[John S]

Remember when it was 'crazy' for Hamilton to go from a safe big team at McLaren to an underperforming, too many chiefs, desperate to stave off the shareholders Mercedes?

It wasn't viewed as crazy by most of us, rather unexpected maybe.

Macca had failed to give Lewis a championship winning car in 2011 and 12 and appeared to be going backwards year on year whereas Merc where moving forward. Now although Macca seem to have bottomed out the jury is still out, so to speak, about when and even if their resurgence as real championship contenders will take place.

I think even if Lewis fails to take the title this year he, along with nearly everyone else - Alonso included, will consider Merc is still the best place to fight for the title in 15.

However 16 is a whole new ball game and if Honda sees off the Merc and other engines in at least a few races next year all bets will be off as to which driver will try to get into which car for the following year. 

Whilst Merc may not be overjoyed at the possible unfreezing of engine development it should also mean they can further develop their power plant as well. Now just maybe they will increase their advantage - what then?