RENAULT BOSS BLASTS CHAMP LEWIS

[TheStig]

RENAULT'S flamboyant boss Flavio Briatore has fired the first shots in 2009’s Formula One war of words.

And it is a direct hit on ­­wonderboy Lewis Hamilton – who became world champion in only his second year in the top flight.

Playboy Briatore reckons Hammy, 24, is not as good as Spain’s Fernando Alonso, his old foe and once bitter team-mate at McLaren.

In fact, argues Italian Briatore, Alonso is the best driver in F1. Bar none.

“Fernando is the finest driver on the grid,” said Briatore, “and he proved that again last year. He truly is a great competitor.”

The 27-year-old, the back-to-back champion under Briatore at Renault in 2005-06, was booted out of McLaren after just one season following a series of spats with Hamilton.

And he was taken back by Briatore to the French team’s line-up, even though he was desperate to switch to Ferrari – a move which is still on the cards if 2007 world champ Kimi Raikkonen flops as badly as he did last season.

Briatore, bursting with admiration for his £15million-a-year hot-shot, added: “We are delighted to continue our

collaboration with Fernando. He is a real boost for the team.

“With him and Nelson Piquet Junior we have a particularly impressive line-up.”

In a spectacular final flourish to last season, Alonso stole all the glory by grabbing shock wins in Singapore and Japan.

Alonso said: “We had been going fairly well with some good results – but those two wins underlined what we are capable of doing.

“And I believe I sent out a warning to the other guys for this season.

“I am really up for the new campaign. I have just one target – and that is to be the champion for the third time. And I know that I can do it.”

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/motorsports/view/67156/Renault-boss-blasts-champ-Lewis/


Here We Go Again.................

TheStig

[Dare]

I agree with Flav,Alonso in my opiniob
is the best f1 driver,if you don't believe
me ask Fernando

[cosworth151]

It would be worth losing Renault if it means getting Blabbio out of the sport. Maybe that's why Ferd likes it so well at Renault. Next to Blabbio, he looks reasonable!

[Scott]

True enough, but I wonder what his replacement would be like. 

Like him or hate him, Ron is a character, and Whitmarsh is so bland I can't even think of what he looks like.  Dave Richards was a true paddock character, and to replace him we get the weasel with a manaquin face - Nick Fry.  I'd be afraid of who replaces Flavio.  Bob Bell would be ok, I guess, but I'm not sure that Renault would have the confidence in him.

[Steven Roy]

This is a good example of why Alonso struggled at McLaren.  Flavio will do anything he can to keep him happy including daying how great he is because he can beat Piquet in their impressive line up.  At McLaren he had to fight against a smart competitive team mate and he failed. 

[Dare]

I don't think saying Alonso failed is quite
fair,with a little luck either way Ferd or lewis
could have been WDC

[Ian]

You make your own luck Dare, Alonso failed.

[Dare]

You make your own luck Dare, Alonso failed.

If that's the case Hamilton really failed,he
gave  the WDC to Kimi and if it wasn't for
Glock spinning ;)it would have gave this
years to Massa 

[Ian]